Pest Strategies

While generally harmless, houseflies are annoyingly persistent. Visit our review to learn about the best fly killers.

Flies are a common occurrence in most homes — no matter where you live. However, if you’ve started to notice that there are more and more flies in your house, you may have an infestation. When this happens, you’ll need to take some steps to get rid of them and get your home back to normal.

Knowing how to get rid of flies and prevent them from coming back can help you keep your home comfortable and clean. Below, we’ve outlined our top recommendations for the best fly killers. You’ll also find additional information related to pest control.

 

Buying Guide

They say there’s more than one way to skin a cat, and this expression certainly applies to killing flies in your home. From traditional fly swatters to powerful electric bug zappers, you’ll find a wide variety of products to trap and kill flying insects in your home. To help you navigate these options and make an informed decision, consider the following information.

• Type: Below is a list of the most common types of fly killers.

• Zappers: With outdoor- and indoor-friendly options to quickly and effectively kill flying insects, bug zappers use a glowing UV light to attract bugs and an electrical grid to electrocute them on contact. The risk of electric shock to humans and pets is always possible with a bug zapper, however. 

• Swatters: Fly swatters are probably the oldest type of fly killer. This time-honored solution puts the control in your hands, allowing you to manually swat a fly or other insect in your home. Though inexpensive and relatively safe, fly swatters require manual effort and accuracy, so your results will vary. Using an electric swatter as opposed to a manual one will slightly improve your effectiveness.

• Traps: Insect traps come in many shapes and sizes, containing a multitude of baits with chemicals to attract a range of bugs. For standard houseflies, traps with a strong adhesive that get them stuck are usually effective. Other traps may use bright colors or strong smells to attract flies. 

• Sprays/repellents: Products that use natural ingredients or strong insecticides may be used to keep a variety of insects at bay. 

• Area covered: The average housefly doesn’t live very long, but it can cover a lot of area moving from room to room. Depending on the size of your home, you may want to set up multiple traps. Roaming your house with a single fly swatter may sound entertaining for some people, but for others, it’s a waste of time. If it’s a trap, zapper, or spray, look for the total area that it covers, which is usually measured in square feet.

• Safety concerns: Though flies should be the only ones truly concerned about their safety, think about if you want toxic chemicals or electrocuting devices in or around your home. If you have pets or young children, consider comparatively safer glue traps or manual swatters.

• Versatility: Fly killers are capable of attracting and killing many types of pests. If you’ve noticed other types of flying insects around your home, your killer should be able to target them as well.

 

How To Identify Flies

There are many types of flies that are common in United States households. These types include: 

• Houseflies
• Gnats
• Blowflies
• Fruit flies
• Phorid flies
• Drain flies

 

The most common flies in United States homes are the housefly and the fruit fly. They’re most attracted to the food in your kitchen, such as overripe produce. Gnats are also common, but they’re more likely to be found outside.

 

Here are four aspects to consider if you’re trying to identify the type of fly in your home: 

• Color: Flies come in various colors, but the most common type — the housefly — has a gray body with black stripes and large, red eyes. Blowflies have a metallic green or blue color, and fruit flies are usually tan with large, red eyes. 

• Shape: Almost all flies are similarly shaped. They typically have oval bodies with attached eyes and wings. 

• Size: Houseflies are generally the largest variety of flies that you will see in your home. Fruit flies are about half the size at an eighth of an inch long. 
• Habitat: Flies are commonly found close to entry and exit points, such as windowsills and doorjambs. You may also find them on the floor, around drains, and in pantries or cupboards.

 

 

FAQs

• Are fly killers safe to use around pets and children? 

It depends on the type of fly killer that you’re using. Electric fly swatters and bug zappers should be used with caution because they have a risk of electric shock. If you’re using a spray, opt for one with essential oils as opposed to pesticides. Fly traps that use water, glue, light, or air to attract or trap bugs are generally safe. 

• What are the most common signs of a fly infestation? 

Besides the obvious — hearing the annoying buzzing sound of a fly roaming around your home — you should look out for two main occurrences:

• Dark spot clusters: Flies leave small amounts of residue where they land. This will be obvious in light-colored areas of your home, such as on your kitchen countertop or table.

• Maggots: When flies are in their larval stage, they look like small, white worms. If you see maggots, that’s a sure sign that flies are reproducing in your home.

• Are fly repellents effective? 

If they’re used as directed, fly repellents tend to be fairly effective. However, it’s worth noting that these products don’t necessarily kill flies; they just keep them at bay.

• What are the most common causes of a fly infestation? 

Houseflies are an inevitable part of life, but like other types of insects, there are some circumstances that attract them to your home.

• Food left in the open: If you regularly leave food scraps or produce out in the open, this could be an attractant for flies. Put food away in a pantry or cupboard, and throw away scraps in a covered trash can.

• Dirty drains or countertops: If you don’t regularly clean your kitchen, you’re more likely to get a fly infestation. Clean your countertops with disinfectant every few days, and run bleach down your drains every few weeks. 

• Besides using a fly killer, what else can I do to prevent flies in my home?

Here is a detailed list of ways to prevent flies from finding your home attractive:

• Use essential oils. 
• Seal your windows.
• Keep your doors closed. 
• Cover your garbage bins.
• Turn down your heat. 
• Keep your garbage and recycling cans clean. 
• Light citronella candles. 
• Clean any spills promptly. 
• Throw out overripe produce as soon as it goes bad. 

 

 

Pest Strategies provides reviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, and other objective criteria. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for non-professionals. Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator, even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.