Outdoor Filth Flies
Muscidae, Calliphoridae
General Information
Outdoor filth flies are more than just a nuisance. These flies also feed and breed on some seriously filthy stuff like garbage, feces, and dead animals—and can spread contaminants and disease wherever they land. Find out how to keep flies away so you can help protect your family.
- Outdoor filth flies are also known as house flies, blow flies, green bottle flies, blue bottle flies, and flesh flies.
- These flies are scavengers that are attracted to moist organic matter to both lay their eggs and take a meal.
Size
Color
Bite or Sting
Wings
Commonly mistaken for
Additional details
- Fly larvae or “maggots” lay eggs in many different outdoor areas, including composting plant material, manure, garbage, and decaying animal carcasses.
- Outdoor filth flies are scavengers that are attracted to food odors and moist organic matter where they can lay their eggs and enjoy a free meal.
- As they feed, these flies can pick up germs and filth on their bodies and then redeposit them wherever they land.
- Indoors, flies are a nuisance as they hover around food, particularly in the kitchen and living room.
- Take out indoor garbage regularly.
- Do not leave doors and windows open to help keep flies from coming inside.
- Inspect screens for holes and loose edges that may allow house flies to enter.
- Store food in sealed containers and keep fruit refrigerated.
- Outside, be sure to seal garbage bags and tightly cover garbage cans and waste receptacles.
- Remove all moist organic matter where outdoor filth flies may lay eggs outside, particularly in areas close to your home.
- If there are more flies than you can handle with a fly swatter, help get rid of these pesky bugs using an insect spray labeled to kill flies.
Solutions for Outdoor Filth Flies
Raid® Extra Multi Insect Killer Lavender kills flying and crawling insects fast. Its low odour formulation with lavender scent makes it suitable for use in and around the home while providing effective insect control. A dual-purpose aerosol designed for use across multiple environments, including indoor areas and outdoor spaces such as patios, gardens, and picnic areas.
Highlights
- Fast killing action, even with one direct spray
- Kills flying and crawling insects
- Low odour formula with lavender scent
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Raid® Multi Insect Killer Eucalyptus kills flying and crawling insects fast. Its low odour formulation with eucalyptus scent makes it suitable for use in and around the home while delivering effective insect control. A dual-purpose aerosol designed to control a wide range of insects across different environments, including indoor areas and outdoor spaces such as patios, gardens, and picnic areas.
Highlights
- Fast killing action, effective with one direct spray
- Kills flying and crawling insects
- Low odour formulation with eucalyptus scent
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
Raid® Multi Insect Killer Odourless kills flying and crawling insects fast. Its odourless formulation makes it suitable for use in and around the home while delivering effective insect control. A dual-purpose aerosol designed to provide effective control across multiple pest types, offering a convenient single solution for indoor environments.
Highlights
- Fast killing action on contact
- Effective against flying and crawling insects
- Odourless formulation for indoor use
- Suitable for use in and around the home
Related
How To Get Rid Of Flies
When it comes to eliminating fruit flies, house flies, and drain flies in and around your home, the best defense is a good offense.
8 Facts About Flies
There are more than 110,000 fly species buzzing around the planet1 — from fruit flies to house flies to flesh flies — each with their own habits and habitats.
How to Apply Pest-control Spray
Help keep unwanted pests from pestering you and your loved ones in your home by learning about pest-control spraying and cleanup methods.