When the weather turns warm, it’s a sign that pests of all kinds are about to get a lot more active in New York City. One such pest that most people don’t think about is the common housefly. Between back alleys, dumpsters, and the back of restaurants, flies are everywhere and seem pretty harmless, so there’s no need to worry about them this year right?
Unfortunately, that’s not entirely accurate. In fact, flies are a lot more troublesome than people expect, which is why there are so many cases of people becoming ill after being in a fly heavy area. Even in the safety of your apartment, flies can cause issues if left unchecked.
Before we can get into their danger, we need to take a look at what the house fly actually looks like. This fly boasts a dark gray body and a single pair of wings. Flies are further identified by their compound red eyes, which is how they avoid your fly swatter attempts so easily. Like all insects, house flies have six legs and they only grow up to about 1/4″ in length.
A PATHWAY TO INFECTION
Despite their harmless appearance, flies are known to transfer more than 100 different pathogens to humans thanks to their traveling habits. Some of the most common illnesses associated with flies are salmonella, typhoid, and tuberculosis just to name a few.
As they fly around, common house flies land and feed on a variety of disgusting things ranging from trash and feces to other sources of decay including dead animals. As such, they pick those pathogens we mentioned and spread them as they land. Also, flies defecate at almost all times, which means there’s an even greater risk of contracting something without the proper fly prevention measures in place.
FLY PREVENTION MEASURES
We say fly prevention because fly control is nearly impossible thanks to their rapid reproduction as well as their indiscernible flight patterns. However, if you follow these prevention tips, you may just enjoy a fly-free apartment this year:
- Trash maintenance: Flies love and thrive on your trash. The more it’s left out, the more they want to stick around. It’s why you see them hanging around dumpsters so much. Keep your home protected by using trash bags that shut completely, trashcans with sealed lids, and by storing the trash containers far from the house or apartment.
- Pet care: Since they feed on feces, your litter box or your puppy’s trip to the backyard might be inviting flies to overstay their welcome. Be sure to pick up after your pet regularly and you’ll remove this common reason for a fly infestation problem.
- Food: We’ve all experienced flies landing on our food. That’s because they’re attracted to it like we are. For this reason, it’s vital to store your food in sealed containers within the fridge and freezer. Also, be sure to wipe everything down and vacuum up any crumbs to maintain your protection.
- Water: Leaks in the building, your room, or even a clogged gutter can be a water source for flies. If they have access to water, they’re sticking around even if you don’t want them to do so. Remove water access and you’ll likely be problem-free.
KEEP THE FLIES AWAY WITH BROADWAY PEST SERVICES
No matter your living situation, you deserve to live in a safe and clean environment that’s also pest-free. That’s why at Broadway Pest Services, our team works hard to ensure you enjoy city living to the fullest while remaining protected thanks to providing guaranteed results you can depend on. Give us a call to schedule your free inspection.