Commonly referred to as house flies or cluster flies, black flies are dirty creatures that can spread disease and impact quality of life if not properly dealt with. While they are most common in the summer in the northeast, they can strike during any season and make your home that much more unpleasant.
Black flies are not always a hallmark sign of a dirty home, either. As you’ll find out, perfumes, moisture, and even your own breath can attract black house flies.
Luckily, there are several options at your disposal to get rid of black house flies, from common DIY tactics to professional-grade control. If you’re struggling with black flies in your home, here is what you need to know.
What Are Black Flies?
Black flies are often considered a particularly annoying flying insect. Also called “buffalo gnats” or “turkey gnats,” these meddlesome insects not only bother humans but all kinds of animals.
The small, biting pests make it a habit to hover around wildlife, livestock, poultry, and, of course, us. They are blood-sucking creatures, not unlike mosquitoes, and like their more deadly counterpart, black flies are possible disease carriers.
There are over 250 species of black fly in North America, but over 2,000 different variants can be found around the world. So, how dangerous could these little flies be?
Why Do I Have So Many Black Flies
Black flies are most commonly associated with a dirty home and there are some common attractants that a dirty home would draw a black house fly toward. However, there may be a range of reasons that you are seeing black house flies, including:
- Standing water inside your home (this can also attract several other insects).
- Decaying organic matter, such as compost, food scraps, and yard debris.
- Carbon dioxide emitted from your breath, as well as sweet-smelling perfume.
- Dark colors, including siding and furniture, that catches the eye of these creatures.
What Are the Dangers of Black Flies?
Like many blood-sucking insects, black flies can transmit parasites during a blood meal. They typically mate in the late spring to the early summer.
The females need blood to fertilize their eggs, and if they encounter any parasites before feasting on yours, it could cause some problems. In specific regions, a black fly can transmit a disease called “river blindness.” However, “Black Fly Fever” is more common in North America.
Those experiencing “black fly fever” may experience headaches, nausea, fever, and swollen lymph nodes. These reactions may be worse if the host has an allergic reaction. These reactions and parasites can be transmitted to livestock as well.
The non-biting black fly species can be just as irritating. They tend to aim and crawl into the eyes, ears, and mouth. The situation can get so dire that black flies can actually suffocate pastured animals by clogging their nose and throats. In rare cases, they cause a symptom called “toxic shock” to animals.
As annoying and dangerous as these pests can be, you want to avoid them if you can.
7 Ways to Get Rid of Black Flies in Your House
While most people view black flies as nuisance bugs, they are clearly more dangerous than that. Therefore, we’ve come up with seven easy ways to get rid of black flies in your house.
1. Set Up Fly Traps
Fly traps, such as commercial tapes or DIY traps, can be very effective at getting rid of a lot of black flies at once. For example, you can set up a trap using a plastic bottle, fill it with apple cider vinegar, and punch a hole in the top that traps them.
While fly traps won’t cut to the source of the infestation, they can be a quick solution for getting rid of a few black house flies.
2. Remove Standing Water
Almost all pests, from cockroaches to mosquitoes, are attracted to standing water, such as ponds, water that pools in your gutters, or leaks that build up moisture in your home. If you want to get rid of black flies inside your home, ensure there is no standing water inside your sinks or tubs due to a slow-draining fixture. If you’ve recently experienced a leak or heavy rain that has flooded your home, vacuum it up immediately with a shop vac and use a dehumidifier to eliminate bugs.
3. Keep Your House Clean
Tackle house flies right at the source–via their food.
Food left out on the counter, dirty dishes, and unsealed trash cans can all be a major recipe for house flies. In addition to keeping these in order, be sure to mop your floors regularly and wipe down surfaces so that no leftover food residue or grease is around to attract house flies.
4. Maintain Your Landscaping
Do you have vegetables perishing inside your garden, trash strewn across your driveway, or even overgrown branches from trees and bushes? These could all be major attractants for black house flies, whether it’s from an easy food source or a hiding spot where they can strike. Getting rid of black flies in your yard will keep them away from your home.
5. Use Proper Fly Repellents
Unfortunately, most repellents aren’t super effective against black flies, but they do help provide some relief. Go for insect repellents with DEET; these will not only help deter black flies, but it will keep additional pests away too. Additionally, you can try scents that repel black flies, such as lavender, vanilla, and pine. Again, these are guaranteed to keep black flies away, but they will help reduce the amount.
6. Ditch the Perfume
Fungi, moisture, and CO2 aren’t the only things that attract black flies. They are drawn to sweet smells. If you find yourself surrounded, your soap, shampoo, or perfume may be the problem. To avoid being the favorite host for these pesky insects, try to go for unscented products or without perfume during high bug season. If you really want to keep the extra scent, go for smells that will deter black flies, like lavender, vanilla, or pine.
7. Blow or Smoke Them Out
If you have black flies in your yard and you still want to enjoy your patio, the best way to battle them is by using a fan. Not only will this blow away any CO2 you expel, but these insects have a tough time handling wind. If you don’t want to install a fan or drag one outside, fire up the ol’ fire pit. The smoke will help mask the scent.
When to Contact a Professional
While the occasional black house fly is not a cause for alarm, if you’re noticing an uptick in house flies that are impacting your quality of life, consider contacting The Pest Rangers. We offer preventative pest control programs that tackle black house flies, as well as organic insecticides that will temporarily keep them away from your home.
For complete black house fly relief, trust the experts!
FAQs
How can I prevent black flies from entering my home?
To prevent black flies from entering your home, try these tips:
- Install fine mesh screens on windows and doors.
- Seal any cracks or gaps in windows, doors, and foundations.
- Use fly traps or deterrents near entry points.
- Keep garbage cans tightly sealed and dispose of organic waste properly.
What are natural ways to repel black flies?
If you are concerned about dangerous chemicals, some natural repellents you could try include:
- Essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, or lavender.
- Wearing long sleeves and light-colored clothing.
- Planting fly-repelling plants like basil, mint, and marigold around your home or garden.
What insecticides can I use to control black flies?
Insecticides like pyrethrin-based sprays can help eliminate black flies. Use them with caution and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Alternatively, you can use biological controls, such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI), which targets fly larvae in water sources.
