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Insects · Pest library
House fly control in Toronto, the GTA and cottage country
House flies and blow flies are the larger flies that buzz around kitchens, garbage and patios. Seeing lots of them usually means they're breeding nearby, in garbage, compost or pet waste.
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How to identify house flies
These are the larger flies we're called about most. For tiny flies, see fruit and drain flies.
House flies
Grey, about 6 to 7 mm, with four dark stripes on the back. They breed in garbage, compost and pet waste.
Blow flies
Shiny metallic green or blue and a little larger than house flies. They breed in garbage and in dead animals.
Signs to look for
- Flies circling kitchens, garbage or recycling
- Shiny green or blue flies near bins or windows
- Small dark specks on walls, windows and light fixtures
- Maggots in garbage bins or compost
Why house flies come inside
What draws them in
Flies come in for food and somewhere to lay eggs. Open garbage, recycling, compost, pet waste and slow drains give them both, and gaps in screens and doors let them in.
Health and home risks
Flies pick up bacteria from garbage and waste and can carry it onto food and surfaces in your home.
How we handle house flies
Find the breeding site
We look for where flies are breeding, because that's what keeps them coming.
Remove the source
Advice and treatment for drains, bins and other breeding spots.
Treat resting spots
Targeted treatment where flies land and rest, inside and out.
Traps where needed
Fly traps placed out of the way in problem areas.
Prevention tips
- Keep garbage, recycling and compost bins closed and clean
- Rinse recycling before it goes in the bin
- Store ripe fruit in the fridge
- Clean slow or rarely used drains
- Repair torn screens and fit door sweeps
- Pick up pet waste in the yard often
Common questions about house flies
Why are there suddenly lots of big flies in one room?
A sudden swarm of large flies, often blow flies, can mean something has died nearby, such as a mouse in a wall. We can help find and remove the source.
Will flies go away on their own?
Not while they still have somewhere to breed. Finding and removing the breeding site is what stops them.
Related pests
Reviewed by PestDepart's licensed exterminators. For health concerns, including bites or stings, contact your doctor or local public health unit.