Flies

Flies are common household and commercial pests that can multiply quickly and cause serious hygiene issues. They are small to medium-sized insects with a single pair of wings, large compound eyes, and rapid flight. In the UK, several fly species can infest homes and businesses, each with different habits and risks.

Common Types of Flies

House Fly – Found around homes, restaurants, and food businesses. They breed in food waste and decaying matter and can spread harmful bacteria like salmonella and E. coli.

Cluster Fly – Slower-moving flies often found in large numbers in lofts, attics, and window frames during autumn and winter as they seek shelter from the cold.

Bluebottle Fly – Recognizable by their metallic blue colour. They breed in rotting meat, animal carcasses, and waste bins and are strong carriers of disease.

Fruit Fly – Very small flies attracted to ripe or fermenting fruits, sugary drinks, and alcohol. Common in kitchens, bars, and restaurants.

Drain Fly – Small, moth-like flies that breed in moist organic matter found in drains, sinks, and sewage systems.

Flies are attracted to waste, food residues, and damp organic material. They can carry and transmit pathogens such as salmonella, listeria, and E. coli, contaminating food and surfaces and posing a serious health risk.

Female flies can lay hundreds of eggs in their short lifespan, with maggots hatching and developing into adults in a matter of days. Because of this rapid breeding cycle, infestations can get out of control quickly if not addressed.

Signs of a fly problem include seeing large numbers of flies indoors, finding maggots near waste areas, and spotting dark spots of fly droppings near windows, lights, or food storage areas. Effective control involves eliminating breeding sites, maintaining strict hygiene, and using professional pest control treatments where needed.