Denver Animal Shelter

The Fly problem  

Most flies live off of trash, decaying matter and animal wastes all of, which usually contain disease-causing bacteria. When flies land on your food, food preparation surfaces and dishes they leave behind bacteria which can cause such diseases as dysentery, diarrhea, food poisoning and typhoid fever.

 Facts about files 

There are over thousands of species of flies, ranging from annoying houseflies to flies that bite. They are very active and reproduce rapidly in the summer. Flies that are indoors during the winter may lay their eggs in organic matter, like potting soil. Eggs hatch in the spring.

 

How to keep flies away

 

There are over thousands of species of flies, ranging from annoying houseflies to flies that bite. They are very active and reproduce rapidly in the summer. Flies that are indoors during the winter may lay their eggs in organic matter, like potting soil. Eggs hatch in the spring.

 

Proper sanitation and screening (blocking fly entrances are the most effective and safest ways to keep flies away from your home or business.

Sanitation

practices, such as cleaning regularly and removing breeding areas will help to keep flies away.

 

 

• Trash should be covered tightly and removed daily.
• Yards and other areas surrounding buildings should be kept clear of any decaying matter, trash or animal wastes.  
• Poorly managed compost piles can be popular breeding grounds for flies. Contact your county extension office for more information on compost management.
• Screening can also help keep flies out of your home or business.
• All small openings into the building should be caulked or covered.

Windows and screen doors should fit tightly. Repair any holes in screens.

Screen doors should open outward. Self closers may be helpful.  

  

How to get rid of flies 

 

Fly swatters  

are good devices to safely kill flies. You can also spray flies with rubbing alcohol to kill them. These techniques are most effective when fly populations have been reduced to low numbers.  

Traps are good devices to safely kill flies. You can also spray flies with rubbing alcohol to kill them. These techniques are most effective when fly populations have been reduced to low numbers.can be used to supplement sanitation and screening techniques.can be used to supplement sanitation and screening techniques. 

are good devices to safely kill flies. You can also spray flies with rubbing alcohol to kill them. These techniques are most effective when fly populations have been reduced to low numbers.can be used to supplement sanitation and screening techniques.can be used to supplement sanitation and screening techniques. 

• Various fly paper traps, food based traps and electronic light traps are effective.  
• Traps should never be placed in food preparation or dining areas.

Insecticides

should ONLY be used as a supplement to other control methods because most flies are resistant to insecticides.   

 

• Insecticides should not be used in food preparation areas or in rooms where infants, elderly or immuno-compromised people live. Follow label instruction carefully.
• Use insecticides in areas where flies like to breed, such as trashcans.
• Food service establishments must only use insecticides registered for application in a food service establishment and must apply insecticides according to label instructions and food service regulations.

FOR MORE INFORMATION IN THE CITY AND COUNTY OF DENVER:

Vector Control (Pest Control) 

(720) 913-1311  or  3-1-1