3 min readWarmer weather is here, and with open windows and screen doors come flies indoors. These uninvited house guests are infuriating to track down and disgusting when they land on food. The ick factor is enough to bother even the most dedicated nature enthusiast, but are they as gross as they seem? Spoiler alert: Yes, they are—which is why you don't want to eat anything a fly lands on.
We spoke to Dave Lofquist and Tommy Olschewske, who are technical training managers at Arrow Exterminators, to learn the impact houseflies actually have as the buzz around your home—plus how to get rid of them when necessary.
Fact: Houseflies Can Die From Stress
Your number one goal may be to kill a housefly the second you spot it in your home, but experts advise letting nature take its course. The interior of a home can be disorienting and stressful to a housefly, says Lofquist. If you've ever seen a fly bouncing against a window trying to escape, that's what will eventually kill it. Besides, flies aren't meant to be in air-conditioned environments, and the longest a housefly will last inside is about two weeks.
Fact: Flies Don't Vomit When They Land on You
Remember this gross myth from middle school? Turns out, it’s not true. “Flies don't have teeth; instead, they have a spongey mouth part that soaks up food,” explains Olschewske. Since houseflies don't have teeth, they'll vomit on the food to make it wet, then they'll dissolve it and eat it. A housefly doesn't consider your shoulder as food—they're more into feces and trash—so no, it's not going to vomit if it lands on you.
Fact: You Need to Clean Up After Flies
“The biggest concern a person should have is that when a fly lands on your counter, it was probably on something decaying before,” says Olschewske. Yikes. The most concerning part about flies is not knowing where they've been, but knowing what they're attracted to. I asked if the three-second rule works at all here, and Olschewske said, “I'm not going to eat it.” And, if he goes to a restaurant where he sees a few flies, he's walking right out.
Fact: Flies Are Attracted to Moisture
Flies are drawn to moist areas, which is why you'll typically see them in your kitchen near the sink. If your sink has a lot of gross buildup in the drain, it likely won't be long before you see flies.
Olschewske recommends making your own sink-cleaning solution with three scoops of vinegar and some baking soda. It's actually more effective (and eco-friendlier) than bleach. The foam that forms from the baking soda and vinegar is crucial because it'll stick to the inside of the pipes and really clean everything out.
Fact: You Should Keep Up With Garbage Duty
There are many important things to do before you leave for a trip, but the top priority is to get rid of your trash and clean your garbage can. Scrub the garbage can with warm water and soap to get rid of any food residue—this is all it takes for flies to start multiplying.
Also, before you leave, don't turn the AC all the way up—Lofquist suggests leaving it in the mid-70s, because the higher the humidity, the more likely flies are to nest while you're gone.
Fact: Flies Can Lay Eggs in Your House
Let's say you leave food in the sink while you're traveling, a fly might come in and lay eggs. And not just a couple. Olschewske and Lofquist say that a housefly will lay 500 eggs in its lifespan. Anything from garbage to a dead animal in a crawl space or attic can cause flies to start swarming and nesting. If this happens, they recommend contacting an exterminator immediately.
