Flies

Fly Control in Newcastle, Sunderland, and Durham: Identifying and Managing Common Fly Infestations

At PEST-SHIELD, we often deal with various types of flies, including house flies, fruit flies, filter flies, sewage flies, drain flies, blowflies, bluebottles, greenbottles, and cluster flies. These pests can spread bacteria, contaminate food, and cause significant nuisances in homes and businesses across the North East.

Common Types of Flies in the North East

• House Flies: House flies breed in rotting organic matter, waste bins, and compost heaps. They spread bacteria after landing on contaminated surfaces and then human food. Poor sanitation and infrequent bin emptying (e.g. every 2 weeks) can lead to infestations.
• Fruit Flies: Found near ripe or rotting fruit and fermented drinks like beer and wine. These flies spread bacteria after touching waste and food.
• Filter Flies, Sewage Flies, and Drain Flies: These flies breed in moisture-rich environments like clogged drains, sewage systems, and areas with damp organic sludge. They spread bacteria from the filth they live in.
• Blowflies, Bluebottles, and Greenbottles: Larger and stronger flies that breed in rotting meat or dead animals. They pose a risk to health as they spread disease and bacteria and can cause myiasis if ingested with contaminated food.
• Cluster Flies: These flies are sluggish and enter homes in autumn to hibernate. They tend to gather in clusters in roof spaces, wall cavities, and window sash boxes, emerging in spring.

Preparing Your Home or Business for Fly Treatment

To ensure the most effective treatment, follow these preparation steps:

• Clean interior surfaces: Ensure all walls, ceilings, windows, and frames are dust-free.
• Deep clean the kitchen: Clean worktops, under the cooker, and kitchen cabinets to remove crumbs and grease.
• Cover food and personal items: Ensure cutlery, food, towels, and toothbrushes are covered.
• For sewage and drain fly infestations: Remove sludge around drains and gutters.
• For blowfly infestations: Locate and remove food sources, such as animal carcasses or rotting rubbish.
• In pubs and bars: Dispose of beer bottles, clean bottle banks, and deep clean behind bars to remove spilled alcohol and food residue, which are breeding grounds for filter flies and drain flies.

Aftercare Following Fly Treatment

After our technicians treat your home or business, here’s how to maintain the best results:

• Let the spray dry: Avoid cleaning up puddles and touching treated surfaces until dry.
• Keep areas ventilated: Open windows and increase the heat to allow the treatment to work effectively.
• Don’t vacuum or wipe surfaces for 1-3 months: The residual insecticide will continue to work, killing flies on treated surfaces.
• Maintain cleanliness: In pubs and bars, continue to clean behind bar equipment and keep bins and bottle banks covered to prevent future infestations.

How Our Fly Treatment Works

• Residual insecticide: Applied to interior walls and ceilings, killing flies upon contact. It remains effective for 1 to 3 months.
• Specialised drain treatment: For drain flies, sewage flies, and filter flies, we use insecticides specifically for breeding sites in drains.
• Fogging: Ideal for cluster flies, fogging allows the insecticide to penetrate cracks and crevices where flies hibernate.

You may continue to see flies for up to 4 weeks after treatment, depending on the temperature and how much insecticide they’ve absorbed.

Fly Infestations in the North East: What You Should Know

• House Flies: These flies are often found in areas with poor sanitation or where bins are emptied infrequently. They breed quickly and spread diseases by contaminating food.
• Fruit Flies: Common in homes, restaurants, and pubs, fruit flies breed in ripe or rotting fruits, fermented drinks, and even drains.
• Filter, Sewage, and Drain Flies: If you see these small flies indoors, you likely have a clogged drain or standing water where they are breeding.
• Blowflies, Bluebottles, and Greenbottles: These flies are often linked to dead animals or rotting organic matter. They are especially problematic in homes, slaughterhouses, and waste management industries.
• Cluster Flies: Cluster flies hibernate in homes during winter, often returning to the same spot each year. Their sluggish nature and large numbers make them a nuisance in homes across Newcastle, Sunderland, and Durham.

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If you’re dealing with a fly infestation in the North East, PEST-SHIELD’s expert team can help with eco-friendly and effective pest control. Contact us today for a tailored solution.