Understanding What Attracts Flies

• Flies are attracted to a variety of stimuli, making it crucial to understand what draws them in. With thousands of fly species worldwide, including house flies, little house flies, blow flies, flesh or latrine flies, fruit flies, and stable flies, each has its preferred habitats and tendencies.

• Stable flies, commonly found in livestock areas, are known to bite, while others are simply considered nuisances. Flies are drawn to light, food odors, and other preferred conditions, gaining access to buildings through open doors and windows. They can also thrive in drains and around trash receptacles.

• Many people find flies objectionable due to their perceived unsanitary nature, and for good reason. According to the World Health Organization, flies are capable of spreading disease as they feed on human food and waste, picking up and transmitting disease-causing organisms in the process of contact with humans or their food.

• Among business owners, fruit flies can pose a specific challenge. As their name suggests, this species often breeds in ripe or rotting fruit, particularly bananas, as well as in garbage and recycling bins. Despite being often mistaken for other flies or gnats, fruit flies are distinguishable by their brown bodies and red eyes, while fungus gnats are small, black insects with long wings and slender legs.

• To effectively manage fruit flies, it is essential to locate and dispose of breeding sites in outdoor trash receptacles. It is also important to maintain clean trash cans, ensuring there is no buildup of debris, and to promptly discard old fruit, while properly storing fresh fruit to minimize attraction for the flies.