Non-biting flies, such as houseflies, are not only nuisance pests, but they are also responsible for transmitting diseases and contaminating food. For instance, flies are capable of contaminating food and transferring more than 100 pathogens, including malaria, salmonella and tuberculosis. Food contamination is one of the main reasons that fly pest control is so important.

Files have relatively short lifespans, however, they can rapidly reproduce in large numbers and are known to spread serious diseases around the world such as salmonella and even malaria, which is spread by biting flies.

The most common species in the U.S. are houseflies, fruit flies and horse flies, each posing unique problems for people. To keep these bothersome pests at bay, following these prevention steps:

• Regularly dispose of trash and use sealed garbage cans
• Promptly clean up any pet waste to prevent potential fly breeding sites from developing
• Secure all exterior windows and doors with mesh screening
• Repair any damaged weather stripping or mesh screens

Most of the time, flies will hatch outside and then find their way into a home via openings like worn down weather stripping, damaged mesh screens or if doors are left open or ajar. Flies prefer to be in warmer environments and are attracted to warm air currents coming from buildings on cold days. Once inside, female houseflies are capable of laying between 75 to 150 eggs at a time, typically depositing them in compost piles, garbage cans and rotting organic material. When compressed together, all of the eggs are only about the size of a pea, making them very hard to spot. Additionally, fruit flies in particular can be brought into a home by latching onto food brought in from outside, as they are attracted to food waste and overripe produce.