Can Pest Control Get Rid of Flies?

Yes, pest control can get rid of flies using a combination of chemical treatments that can quickly reduce active fly populations and long-term pest management strategies that help prevent future infestations.

That’s to say professional pest control is more than just knocking down these pesky flies with sprays and traps. If that were all it did, then one might just as well do it themselves! Rather, pest control works by targeting the source of the infestation itself, that is, the exact location where they breed and multiply.

The most obvious sources include trash areas, drains, and kitchen surfaces where small amounts of organic matter can accumulate in corners and cracks. But we’ve lost count of how many times we traced a fly infestation back to a dead rodent inside a wall void, a crawl space, or some other hidden pocket of rotting organic matter.

Without addressing the source, any attempt at fly control through sprays, traps, or similar methods amounts to little more than a band-aid solution. Sure, it may reduce fly numbers for the time being, but don’t be surprised if the infestation returns shortly after. Fly eggs can hatch into maggots in as little as 24 hours under the right conditions, and the infestation cycle can just as easily restart.

As a company that values transparency, we’ll say it as it is: there is no such thing as the complete and permanent elimination of flies. Flies are outdoor insects by nature, and they constantly find their way inside through doors, windows, vents, and small gaps around a property.

Our job as pest control professionals is to keep fly populations under control over the long term so you can enjoy your home or business without the nuisance and health risks these filthy creatures bring.

How Pest Control Eliminates and Prevents Fly Infestations

Professional pest control involves addressing the nuisance and health risks flies present today while putting measures in place to help prevent future infestations. This typically involves the following:

Identifying the fly species

Different types of flies exist. You’ve got house flies, drain flies, fruit flies, cluster flies, and many others, each with its own behaviors, breeding habits, and attractants. As such, each type requires a slightly different treatment approach.

Finding the source of the infestation

If flies keep returning even after you’ve cleaned common problem areas such as trash bins, drains, and pet waste, the source may be somewhere harder to reach or simply hidden in plain sight. Pest control focuses on locating and eliminating the source of the infestation itself.

Treating adult flies

Adult flies are treated using residual sprays, traps, and targeted applications in areas where fly activity is highest, both indoors and outdoors. Many modern treatments are designed to target pests effectively while minimizing impact on household occupants and the surrounding environment when used properly.

Eliminating breeding sites

Removing or treating the material where flies lay eggs is what stops the infestation cycle. This often involves cleaning drains, removing contaminated debris, and applying products that eliminate larvae before they mature into adult flies.

Evaluating and sealing entry points

When a fly infestation has taken a turn for the worse and standard treatments are insufficient, this is one of the most effective long-term prevention measures. By meticulously sealing gaps around doors, windows, vents, and other entry points, we keep the flies outside where they belong. At Modern Pest, we call this one a Total Home Exclusion service.

Pest Control vs DIY Methods

For minor issues resulting from, say, leaving a piece of fruit out on the kitchen counter or forgetting to close a trash bin for too long, doing a simple clean-up often resolves the problem. Even DIY solutions such as sprays, vinegar mixtures, or essential oil repellents can produce visible results in these cases.

However, if flies start showing up daily and persist despite basic sanitation efforts, the situation may point to an active breeding source and call for more experienced, professional hands.

Why Address Fly Infestations Fast

Flies bring more than just nuisance or inconvenience. They rank among the most unsanitary insects found inside homes and businesses, carrying twice as many germs as cockroaches – GROSS!

Even worse, all that microscopic filth they bring along after contact with food waste, animal waste, and countless other offensive materials can carry contaminants that pose legitimate health risks.

A 2025 study described the house fly as a “reservoir and transmitter of many infectious agents due to its ability to host more than 100 bacterial species” (Shahanaz et al., 2025). Among those are pathogens such as Salmonella and multidrug-resistant (MDR) foodborne bacteria.

Call us dramatic, but we bet that’s not the kind of environment you’d want around your kids. And if you’re in the food industry, you certainly don’t want a fly infestation becoming the reason a customer questions your food safety standards or files a complaint.

That’s why such a situation is best addressed sooner rather than later. The longer they’re left unchecked, the higher the chances that contamination spreads and creates health and regulatory concerns that are far more difficult to deal with down the road.

What Types of Flies Do Pest Control Professionals Treat?

As mentioned earlier, different fly species behave differently and breed in different environments. Understanding those differences allows pest control professionals like us to choose the most appropriate treatment approach. Here are some of the most common fly species we deal with, many of which are featured in our Fly Pest Library:

• Fruit Flies: Fruit flies show up around ripened or fermenting food, and are often common during the warmer months.
• Moth Flies: Moth flies thrive in polluted water, which explains why you can often find them in the shower or sink drain. As such, they’re also known as drain flies.
• Phorid Flies: The smallest fly species on the list, phorid flies breed in a variety of locations including drain pipes and dung.
• Blow Flies: Blow flies are one of the most common types you’ll hear buzzing around indoors. They’re attracted to light and decomposing organic matter such as meat, fish, and rotting vegetable matter.
• Cluster Flies: If you’ve ever noticed a fly bouncing against a window in the middle of winter, chances are you’ve met a cluster fly. These flies sneak into wall voids, attics, and small cracks around window frames during the fall, then spend the colder months sheltering indoors where it’s warm.

Should I Call a Professional Fly Exterminator?

We recommend calling a professional fly exterminator under these circumstances:

Flies keep returning after cleaning

You’ve taken the trash out, wiped down every possible surface, and sealed food properly. If flies keep showing up again within a day or two, the breeding source has likely not been addressed. Eggs, larvae, or pupae may remain hidden, and it’s only a matter of time before they hatch and emerge as a new generation of flies.

You’re seeing flies every day

Flies have relatively short lifespans of only 15 to 30 days. Yet they reproduce quickly enough to sustain and even grow their populations when conditions are ripe. If you’re seeing flies indoors every day, the problem may no longer be occasional entry from outside and instead points to an active breeding source concealed inside the property.

Flies are appearing in multiple rooms

When flies show up across different areas of the home, it becomes harder to attribute the problem to a single open window or door. We often trace this pattern back to sources located in shared structures such as wall cavities, ceiling voids, or plumbing systems.

Large numbers are gathering near windows or lights

An unusually large cluster of flies near windows or light fixtures is often a sign of an active breeding source hidden inside a wall void, attic space, crawl space, or another area containing decaying organic matter (such as a dead rodent). Because these sources are often difficult to locate and even harder to access, a professional inspection is usually the fastest way to identify and eliminate the problem.

You cannot identify where they’re coming from

Sometimes, the most frustrating part isn’t the flies themselves. It’s figuring out where in the world they’re coming from. If you’ve already dealt with the obvious suspects and flies still keep appearing, a professional inspection is the quickest way to get answers.

Ways to Prevent Fly Infestations

We always look at prevention as the first line of defense, whether you’re trying to avoid a problem altogether or reduce the pressure during an active infestation. Below are a few preventive measures to keep in mind.

• Keep trash properly sealed. Tie trash bags tightly, avoid overflowing bins, and dispose of organic waste frequently.
• Remove food sources promptly. Clean spills, wipe down counters, and discard overripe or decaying food before it attracts flies. Double-check areas behind or beneath appliances for any crumbs or food residue.
• Maintain and clean drains. Organic sludge inside drains can serve as a breeding site for drain flies and other species.
• Pick up pet waste promptly. Pick up after your cat or dog. Better yet, establish a designated potty area to keep waste contained and easier to clean up.
• Seal entry points around the home. Repair damaged window screens, install weather stripping, and seal gaps around doors, windows, siding, and utility penetrations. This is especially important in older homes or properties damaged by severe weather.
• Consider an ongoing pest control plan. Complete fly elimination is rarely realistic given how easily flies move between outdoor and indoor environments. A recurring pest control service helps keep flies and other nuisance pests under control throughout the year. At the same time, it allows small issues that may have flown under the radar to be spotted early before they have a chance to develop into a full-blown infestation later on.

Get Rid of Flies the Modern Way

Whether you’re tired of swatting away flies day after day at home or worried about the impression they’re leaving on your customers, addressing the problem early can save a lot of headaches later on.

Modern Pest uses eco-friendly and organic pest control solutions that are designed to be effective against flies while remaining safe for families, pets, and the environment. Call our licensed professionals at (800) 323-7378 or contact us to request a FREE quote, ask a question, or schedule a service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Modern Pest get rid of flies in homes and businesses?

Yes, we provide house fly extermination as well as commercial fly pest control. Book a call today or call (800) 323-7378 to request a FREE quote

How soon can you get here?

Depending on your specific location, we can offer same-day or next-day pest control services. We serve homeowners and businesses throughout Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Is fly extermination safe for children and pets?

Modern’s HomeCare pest control program is your eco-friendly, pest control solution – so, yes, it’s absolutely safe for children and pets.