How to Kill House Flies

House flies can spread disease and multiply before you know it. Here's how to stop an infestation.

It's an all too common occurrence. Tired from a long day of cooking and hosting a summer party, you forget to put some food away before going to bed. In the morning, you walk into the kitchen to find a cloud of house flies feeding on your leftovers. Even though they may be one of the most common pests in the world, house flies are certainly not harmless. They can spread disease and filth, so it's important to get rid of flies as soon as you can.

The Life Cycle of a House Fly

The life cycle of adult house flies ranges from 14 to 25 days, though they live longer in cooler periods.

They dine on a variety of things, including food, animal food, carcasses, garbage, and even excrement. They will lay their eggs in almost anything that is moist, warm and will provide a supply of food for the developing maggots. Within 12 hours to several days, the creamy-white maggots are hatched and begin to feed on their surroundings. After a couple of days of feeding, they emerge as adult house flies.

Get Rid of House Flies Fast

You're going to need more than a flyswatter for this. Go with an effective combination of sprays and baits to quickly take house flies down.

Kill House Flies in the Air

From a single house fly to a swarm, kill them in seconds with Ortho® Home Defense® Flying Bug Killer With Essential Oils. This spray is safe to use around kids and pets when used as directed and will make quick work of your flying pest problem.

How to Keep Flies Out of Your House

Keep It Clean

The first step to preventing a house fly infestation is to keep your home clean and tidy. Follow these tips to help keep flies out:

Inspect door and window screens for tears and repair or replace them as needed.
Put food items away and thoroughly clean floors and countertops, especially after a big get-together.
Keep garbage cans clean and lids tightly closed.
Keep your landscape tidy and store yard waste and woodpiles away from your house.

Keeping house flies out is not as hard as it might seem. Once you've sealed up possible entry points, removed their food sources, and placed baits, then you're well on your way to enjoying a fly-free home. Ortho® Home Defense® Flying Bug Killer With Essential Oils. This spray is safe to use around kids and pets when used as directed and will make quick work of your flying pest problem.