All The Dangers Flies Bring To Houston Homes

Let's be honest, flies aren't considered to be dangerous pests. Most of the time, they're just a nuisance. Sometimes, they're a big nuisance. But most Houston residents don't consider flies to be dangerous. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Houseflies and bottle flies are both associated with 65 diseases that impact human health.

Before we discuss this threat, it is important to point out that the risk of becoming sick from flies is dependent on many factors, including sanitation, your immune system, and disease vectors. It is possible to have a fly land on your hamburger and for you to not get sick, but it is unwise to allow flies to buzz around in your kitchen without addressing the source of your fly infestation. This is what we want to communicate today. Far too many Houston residents get sick each year from flies, without realizing it. We want you to be informed. Here's why flies in Houston can be dangerous and how you can make them less dangerous.

Pet Waste

You know that flies are drawn to animal waste. We don't want to gross you out, but a fly can go from dog waste in your yard to the hamburgers on your backyard grill in a matter of seconds. It is essential to pick up pet waste or prevent your pets from leaving waste in your yard if you want to reduce the risk of illness.

Open Wounds

Flies are drawn to wounds and sores on pets, livestock, and wildlife. Here are a few facts to consider:

• If your pets have open wounds or sores, it is best to keep them inside until they heal.
• If you don't have livestock, you still have to be aware that a neighboring property that has livestock can impact your health when their flies come into your yard.
• When you take steps to control wildlife activity in your yard, you'll also have an impact on fly populations in your yard, and your risk of illness.

Rotting Organic Matter

Flies lay their eggs in some pretty disgusting places. One place you have control over is your garbage. Here are a few things you might not know:

• If a fly lays eggs in your garbage, and the garbage is taken away from your property, the fly eggs go with it. The concern is when flies lay eggs in organic matter that sits in your trash receptacle, and the eggs have enough time to hatch and develop into flying pests.
• If your trash is in a covered container that has a good seal, flies can't get inside. A loose cover that has gaps will provide entry for flies. A receptacle that has too many bags in it can prevent the cover from properly closing.
• The scent of garbage can attract flies to your home. If you don't routinely deodorize your receptacles, flies will be attracted. Along with deodorizing your receptacles, consider storing trash well away from entry doors.

There are sources of rotting organic matter that can be difficult to address. As an example, if an animal comes into your yard and dies in the void under a shed, deck, or stairs, this can be a catalyst for a fly infestation. Be on the lookout for locations where flies are buzzing around like carrion birds. Where there are flies, there is likely to be something rotting.

Fly Diseases

When flies come in contact with dirty things, or dirty locations, they can pick up harmful microorganisms. A single housefly can have 1 million bacteria on its body. Here are just some of the disease-causing agents that are known to be transmitted from flies to humans:

• Salmonella
• E. coli
• Hookworm
• Cholera
• Tuberculosis
• Dysentery
• Conjunctivitis
• Gastroenteritis
• Typhoid fever

General Tips To Prevent Flies

Now that you know some of the dirty places flies can pick up harmful microorganisms that cause human illness, and a few of the illnesses they're known to carry, let's take a look at fly control as a whole.

• Do routine inspections to address any sources that flies are being drawn to breed in.
• Keep things clean outside and inside your home.
• Properly manage trash.
• Don't allow any fruit, vegetables, pet food, or other food sources to rot in your yard.
• Pick up pet waste.
• Make sure all your screens are in good working condition.
• Replace white exterior lights with yellow lights, particularly in entryways.
• Make sure all weatherstripping and door sweeps have a good seal.
• Fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in your exterior.

How A Professional Can Help

If you live in Houston, consider investing in residential pest control from All-Safe Pest & Termite. Our service plans come with routine treatments that make your perimeter resistant to flies and other pests. Get your Houston pest protection in place today and keep harmful houseflies and bottle flies out.