Fly Species
Everything You Need to Know About Flies
What flies look like
Flies come in many species, but the most common pests include:
House flies – grey bodies, large eyes, fast-moving, commonly found in homes and kitchens
Fruit flies – tiny, tan-coloured flies often found around ripe fruit, bins and drains
Both types breed quickly and are attracted to food, moisture and waste.
Where Flies Are Usually Found
Flies breed and gather in areas where food, warmth and moisture are present. You’ll often find them:
Around dustbins and waste areas
In kitchens, restaurants and food prep spaces
Near drains, sinks and moisture build-up
Around spilled drinks, fruit bowls and compost
In garages, storerooms or anywhere organic matter is left exposed
They move freely between dirty and clean surfaces, making them high-risk carriers of bacteria.
Signs You May Have a
fly Problem
Persistent buzzing or visible activity inside the home
Small, fruit-sized flies around bins, drains or fruit bowls
Maggots in waste areas
Increased activity around windows and light sources
Spots, smears or streaks on walls and surfaces
Even a few flies can rapidly turn into an infestation due to their fast breeding cycle.
Why Flies Are a Problem
Spread bacteria such as Salmonella and E.coli
Transfer pathogens from waste to food
Cause contamination in homes and businesses
Risk for restaurants, hotels and food manufacturers
Breeding can escalate within days if not controlled
They pose both hygiene and health risks, especially in food-based environments.
How Infestations Start
Fly outbreaks commonly begin from:
Uncovered food or exposed rubbish
Full or unclean bins
Poor drainage or standing water
Fermenting fruit or sugary spills
Unmaintained grease traps or drains
Even small hygiene lapses can attract them immediately.
What You Should Do
Clean food spills straight away
Empty bins daily and use sealed liners
Store ripening fruit in the fridge
Clean drains regularly
Keep compost and waste tightly covered
Simple steps help reduce fly numbers, but they won’t eliminate breeding sites once larvae are present.
How to Prevent a fly infestation
Install fly screens on windows and doors
Keep bins sealed and sanitised
Fix drainage issues and standing water
Clean floor traps and drains weekly
Maintain strong hygiene routines in kitchens
Prevention helps, but severe infestations require
targeted treatment.
Need Help?
If flies keep returning or you’re seeing maggots, a professional inspection is the fastest way to stop the breeding cycle and restore hygiene. Contact your local Pest Control Specialists branch for effective fly control.