Insect · Moderate risk
House Fly
The house fly is one of the most common flies in Quebec homes. Drawn to garbage and food, it breeds very fast and can carry many germs from one surface to another.
6 TO 7 MM · GREY WITH 4 BLACK STRIPES
§1Distinctive features
How to identify it
A small fly, 6 to 7 mm long, with a grey body and four black lengthwise stripes on the thorax. Prominent red eyes, clear wings and an abdomen that is yellowish on the sides. It moves in short flights and often lands on surfaces.
§2Habitat
Where to find it
It is found wherever there is food or garbage: kitchens, garbage cans, counters, ripe fruit and animal droppings. It gets in through poorly screened doors and windows and lays its eggs in decaying organic matter.
§3Reproduction
Lifecycle
Left alone, a new generation can appear every 7 to 10 days in summer.
§4What to look out for
Signs of infestation
- Flies in the kitchen or near windows
- Small black dots (droppings) on walls and ceilings
- Maggots visible in garbage cans or decaying matter
- Constant buzzing and flies landing on food
§5Why act fast
Risks
- Bacteria and pathogens carried onto food
- Contamination of food preparation surfaces
- Rapid spread if an infestation is left untreated
§6Prevention
How to avoid it
- Keep garbage cans closed and empty them often
- Install screens on doors and windows
- Clean up food scraps and spills quickly
- Remove decaying organic matter outdoors
§7Pro method
How MW works
Inspection
We locate breeding sites and entry points to target the source of the infestation.
Preparation
We recommend cleaning up the risk areas and we secure the entry points before treatment.
Treatment
We apply targeted insecticides and set suitable traps to eliminate the flies.
Follow-up
We follow up to confirm the flies are gone and to prevent any reinfestation.
§8Your questions answered
Frequently asked questions
Is the house fly a health hazard?
It can carry bacteria and contaminate food, which is a real health risk.
How do I get rid of flies in the house?
Remove food sources, close garbage cans, install screens and treat breeding sites.
Why are there so many flies in my home?
Large numbers often point to garbage, decaying matter or a breeding site nearby.
A surge of house flies almost always points to a source: a garbage can, a clogged drain, compost or animal droppings. A dead animal inside a wall attracts blow flies instead. Treatment means removing that source, not just spraying. That is the approach of our pest control program, on farms and in commercial kitchens around Saint-Hyacinthe as well as in homes in Granby, Sherbrooke and Cowansville.
Sources consulted for this fact sheet: WHO, Vector control, chapter on common flies (PDF) · Government of Ontario, house fly control (PDF) · OPIE, Office pour les insectes et leur environnement · LSU AgCenter, Musca domestica.
React quickly, sleep well.
The longer the infestation lasts, the more expensive it becomes.
