The buzzing sound of bush flies marks the beginning to Australian summers. The warm months in Australia witnesses a sudden proliferation of the annoying flies. Met with an Aussie salute; these pesky little creatures can cause extreme nuisance whether it’s at homes, offices or in the outdoors.
More than an annoyance, these insects are a carrier of several bacteria and viruses and known to pose severe health risks. Hence, it’s imperative to deal with the flies as soon as possible. Here are a couple of simple things you can do to eradicate the insects and prevent its entry in the future.
But, before we delve into the measures to control flies infestation; let’s take a look at the different types of flies found in an average Australian home.
Different Types of Flies In Australia
Flies are widespread and can be found almost in all homes and businesses across the country. Some species are more common than others and are often attracted to certain surroundings as they are more suitable to their habits and lifecycle. In-depth knowledge of the natural habits and lifecycle of different fly species can prove crucial in determining effective prevention and control methods. Some of the common species found in the country are:
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Housefly
Identifying the common housefly is easy – They are small flying insects, measuring around 6mm in length. Sporting a greyish black thorax and four stripes; these insects generally bash their heads in the window or you will find them circling your rubbish bins.
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Cluster fly
Cluster fly looks like a distinct cousin of the house-fly. These flies are usually found in the quiet and peaceful parts of a home such as attics and wall void. Generally seen in large group or cluster (hence cluster fly), these insects are attracted to the light.
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Fruit flies
A species that multiply extremely fast, these flies are known to create huge menace for hobby gardeners. You can differentiate these flies by looking at their abdomen; they have light brown-coloured rings around their bellies. These flies will mostly swirl around the compost bins or potted plants and at a place where fruits are stores.
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Drain flies
Often found in the sewage beds, these flies have hairy bodies and bear an uncanny resemblance to the moth. They lay their eggs in sewages and sludge-like organic matter is the main food source for their larvae.
During their exceptionally short life (around 30 days), a female lays approximately 400-600 eggs. Based on this fact, you can see how a seemingly small problem can quickly escalate into a large infestation if no timely steps are taken. Most fly species are drawn to food odours coming from homes, commercial kitchens, stores or food processing units. Some of the food odours that attract flies are:
- fermenting sugars,
- oils and fats,
- Decaying proteins and other vegetable matter.
How to Prevent and Remove Fly Infestation?
There are a couple of factors you need to monitor to prevent fly infestations. In case, you’re already dealing a huge amount of flies in your property, following these tips will help reduce the intensity of infestation.
- The thumb rule is here – DO NOT leave any food outside without a cover. Leaving the food uncovered is like inviting flies for a free buffet – they won’t be able to resist the invitation for a meal and soon swarm for the food.
- Keep all the surfaces in your kitchen spotlessly clean. Make sure there’s food or drink spillage left on the counters. Maintaining good hygiene is the key to keep the flies away from your home. Besides, pay special attention to cleaning bathrooms and toilets.
- In addition to this, you need to keep the garden in a neat condition. Trim the overgrown bushes and grass. Also, make it a habit to regularly wash the rubbish bins.
Following the aforementioned tips will help you keep the fly infestation at bay, however if your property is already infested; call professionals from Tradie Team. We are adept at controlling and preventing the fly infestation in homes, commercial kitchens, retail spaces and food storage units.