Happy Memorial Day, and thank you to all who served and lost their lives for our country. In honor of this day, there will be a lot of outdoor backyard barbecues with family and friends gathering together. Unfortunately, some other pests will probably be joining you as well.
Flies in Tampa Bay
In Tampa Bay, we frequently encounter several species of flies. Here are some of the more common flies in our area:
- Blow flly
- Cluster fly
- Deer fly
- Drain fly
- Fruit fly
- Garbage fly
- Green bottle fly
- Horse fly
- House fly
- Humpback fly
- Stable fly
- White fly
- Yellow fly
What attracts flies?
Depending on the breed of fly, there can be many reasons. Typically flies breed in water or mucky or muddy areas around ponds, swamps, and lakes. Flies, in general, are attracted to moist areas for breeding purposes but will travel far to find a meal. They are attracted to livestock such as horses, cows, and pigs but will undoubtedly settle for wild animals and humans.
Flies infest homes and businesses because they are looking for a safe breeding site. They are also attracted to areas where a food source is present, and while the type of food preferred varies by fly, they will often feed on:
- Meat
- Excrement
- Decaying vegetation
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Fermenting liquids
- Garbage
Are they dangerous?
All flies are known as disease carriers, many of which can be transmitted to humans. Flies typically breed in garbage, decaying flesh, excrement of animals and humans, sewers, compost piles and any other place where matter is decaying. Flies will pick up various kinds of diseases from their environment, which can be transmitted to people by biting or by landing on food, where they can add bacteria and viruses to the food. Malaria, yellow fever, encephalitis, dengue fever, and more are the diseases that they can carry.
Prevention
The best control is changing the environment of your property, and encouraging neighbors to do the same. Eliminating standing pools of water can help. Once they are adults, fly traps can also reduce their numbers later on. Look for their egg deposits and remove them.
One of the best approaches remains in preservation. Birds like egrets and killdeer feed on these kinds of flies and reduce their number naturally. Lawn pest control can help to reduce their numbers and make the environment more difficult for them to reach adulthood. Insecticides can help reduce their number, but we’ll want to approach it in a way that’s safe for your family and neighborhood.
Flies can come from a source other than a typical pest control problem. Here are some examples:
- Potted plant where flies have laid eggs in the soil
- Bacteria in drains attract drain flies
- If something has died, it attracts blow flies
- Ripe fruit on counters will attract fruit flies
Finding the source and cleaning it up will be a great start to eliminate flies inside and around the outside of your home.
Enjoy your Memorial Day celebration!
Drive-Bye Exterminators offers home and commercial pest control services in Clearwater, Florida, and the surrounding areas. Family owned and operated for over 25 years, Drive-Bye Exterminators has state certified inspectors, and exterminators provide roach, subterranean termite, dry wood termite, roaches, spider, ant, and flea services to both commercial and residential clients. Whether a business owner needs help getting rid of a termite infestation, or a homeowner wants to rid their kitchen of ants, Drive-Bye Exterminators offers each client the same level of professionalism and excellence.
Request a FREE Pest Control or Termite Inspection today with the Professionals of Drive-Bye Exterminators. Contact Us Today at 727-787-2127.
