Call Now and Ask About the Winter Deal While it Lasts →

Call Now and Ask About the Winter Deal While it Lasts →

Sign-in to Account
Call Us

(855) 948-5816

aptive_pest_control_lockup-white

Find Service Area

The Short Lifespan of Flies

Written by Aptive Pest Control February 16, 2023

Flies have a relatively short lifespan, typically living for only a few weeks to a few months, depending on the species. Their lifespan is influenced by various factors, including temperature, humidity, and availability of food and water. Flies lay their eggs in decaying organic matter, such as garbage or animal feces, and the larvae feed on this matter until they pupate and emerge as adult flies.

Preventing Flies in the Home

To prevent flies from breeding and multiplying in the home, it is essential to identify and eliminate potential breeding sites. Regular cleaning and sanitation of food prep areas and garbage cans can help prevent flies from congregating in the home. Installing screens on windows and doors can also prevent flies from entering the home. Sticky fly traps or electronic fly zappers can capture and kill adult flies.

Treating Difficult Fly Species

Some species of flies, such as fruit flies and drain flies, can be difficult to control once they have established themselves in the home. In these cases, it may be necessary to consult with a pest control professional to identify and treat the source of the infestation. Some species of flies can carry diseases and pose a health risk, particularly in areas where food is prepared or consumed. Therefore, it is important to take measures to prevent flies from entering and breeding in the home.

Clean Kitchen Fly Control 80
Keeping a clean kitchen can help prevent flies from living in your home.

Importance of Regular Cleaning to Prevent Flies

Regular cleaning and sanitation, particularly in areas where food is prepared or consumed, can help prevent flies from becoming a problem in the home. It is important to dispose of garbage properly and ensure that food is stored in airtight containers. Keeping kitchen surfaces clean and free of spills can also help prevent flies from congregating in the home.

Why Do Flies Die in the House?

While some may be puzzled about why flies die in our homes, the answer lies in their natural life cycle and the less than ideal indoor environment for these creatures. Flies typically enter houses seeking food or shelter but often find the conditions inside unsuitable for their survival. Factors such as lack of food sources, low humidity, and artificial lighting can disrupt their normal behaviors and life cycle, leading to their untimely death.

Quick Action for Effective Control

If you notice a fly infestation in the home, it is important to take action quickly to prevent the problem from getting worse. With the right strategies and tools, it is possible to effectively control and treat flies in the home. Prevention is the best strategy for dealing with flies, but if an infestation occurs, a combination of sanitation, fly traps, and consulting with a pest control professional can help eliminate the problem.

Learn more about flies

Are Black Flies and Black Soldier Flies the Same Thing? Are Black Flies and Horse Flies the Same Thing? Are Flies Attracted to Certain Plants? Black Soldier Flies 101: What Are Black Soldier Flies? Can Flies Bite? Biting and Non-Biting Types Can House Flies Float in Water? Control Drain Flies: Proactive Tips & Identification Do Crane Flies Sting? Do House Flies Carry Diseases? How to Minimize the Risk in My Home Fruit Flies vs Drain Flies: What Are the Differences? Fungus Gnats 101: What Are Fungus Gnats? Gnats 101: What are Gnats? House Fly Breeding: What Homeowners Should Know Hoverflies 101: What Are Hoverflies? How Fast Can a Housefly Fly? How Fruit Flies Detect Fermenting Sugars in the Air How Houseflies Use Memory to Revisit Food Sources How Long a Housefly Lives—and What It Does with Its Time How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in the Kitchen How to Keep Flies Away From Your Trash Cans How to Keep Fruit Flies Away from Your Home How to Tell a Fungus Gnat From a Fruit Fly Sweatflies vs Hoverflies: What Are the Differences? The Best Ways to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Your Kitchen The Four Stages of the House Fly Life Cycle The Real Reason Flies Rub Their Legs Together What Are Black Flies? What Do Drain Flies Do in Your Kitchen Sink? What Happens Inside a Fly’s Compound Eyes Why Flies Are More Active in the Summer Why Flies Lay Eggs in Your Trash Cans and How to Interrupt Their Cycle Why Fruit Flies Appear Out of Nowhere Your Guide to House Flies: How to Identify, Prevent, and Eliminate Them

Curated articles for you, from our pest experts.

A Close-Up Of Several Small Black Ants Crawling Along The Edge Of A Wooden And Tiled Surface.

4 Insects That Are Hard to Get Rid Of

When experiencing recurring pest problems despite repeated pest control attempts, understanding which insects demonstrate greatest persistence is crucial for implementing appropriate comprehensive strategies rather than ineffective quick fixes.  Certain hard to get...

Dec 17, 2025
A Detailed Close-Up Of A Cicada Perched On A Green Leaf, Displaying Its Intricate Wings And Textured Body Against A Vibrant, Blurred Background.

What Is the Definition of Insect?

When encountering small arthropods in homes and attempting to identify them for appropriate control measures, understanding the scientific definition of insect is crucial for distinguishing true insects from other superficially-similar creatures requiring different...

Dec 11, 2025
A Newly Emerged Cicada With Bright Red Eyes Clings To A Small Tree Branch, Next To Its Discarded Exoskeleton. The Cicada’s Translucent Wings And Vibrant Body Contrast Against The Brown Background, Highlighting Its Recent Molt During Metamorphosis.

What Is Insect Molting?

When discovering papery translucent shells on floors, stuck to walls, or hidden in corners, understanding what these remains represent is crucial for recognizing pest activity and assessing infestation severity. Insect molting (ecdysis) is the process whereby...

Dec 11, 2025
A Group Of Small Potted Plants, Including A Fuzzy Cactus, A Green Succulent, And A Taller Reddish Succulent, Arranged On A Windowsill With Sheer Lace Curtains Softly Filtering Daylight In The Background.

What Are Those Tiny White Bugs on Plants?

When discovering small white insects on houseplants or garden plants, accurate identification is crucial for implementing appropriate control measures and preventing widespread damage to plant collections.  Tiny white bugs on plants typically represent one of...

Dec 11, 2025
An Angled View Of An Open Luxury Car Door Revealing A High-End Black Leather Interior With Quilted Stitching, Spacious Rear Seats, And Built-In Entertainment Screens Mounted Behind The Front Seats. The Exterior Of The Vehicle Is Glossy Black With Chrome Wheel Details, Parked Indoors Under Modern Lighting.

Why Do You Have Bugs in Your Car?

When discovering insects in your vehicle, understanding what attracts bugs in car environments is crucial for implementing pest control strategies and eliminating recurring problems.  Cars provide conditions many insects actively seek including shelter from weather...

Dec 11, 2025
A Close-Up Photograph Of A Red Ladybug With Black Spots Crawling Along The Edge Of A Green Leaf, Set Against A Softly Blurred Green Background.

Which Insects Hibernate?

When temperatures drop and insect activity seemingly disappears, understanding how different species survive winter is crucial for predicting seasonal pest patterns and implementing appropriate year-round control strategies.  While true hibernation (prolonged...

Dec 11, 2025
A Newly Emerged Butterfly With Cream And Dark Brown Patterned Wings Hanging From Its Chrysalis, Surrounded By Multiple Green And Brown Pupae On A Horizontal Branch, Against A Blurred Green Background.

What Is Diapause in Insects?

Diapause represents a critical survival strategy that allows insects to endure unfavorable environmental conditions including extreme temperatures, drought, or lack of food by entering a programmed state of dormancy with suppressed metabolism and arrested...

Dec 2, 2025
A Detailed Close-Up Image Of A Dark, Segmented Isopod Crawling On A Bed Of Dry Twigs, Leaves, And Soil. A Smaller Isopod Is Visible Nearby, Both Surrounded By Textured Ground Debris.

What Are Isopods in the Garden?

Isopods are beneficial soil-dwelling crustaceans commonly found in gardens where they play important ecological roles breaking down organic matter and contributing to soil health through their decomposition activities. These armor-plated creatures including...

Dec 2, 2025
A Vibrant Blue Wooden Door Framed By A Terracotta Wall And Surrounded By Cascading Green, Yellow, And Purple Vines, With House Number 5 Above The Entrance And A Small Stone Staircase Visible Inside.

The Importance of Sealing Entry Points Before Winter

You recognize that cooling fall temperatures trigger pest movement from outdoor environments into heated structures, with proper timing of exclusion work proving critical for preventing winter infestations.  Sealing entry points before winter proves important...

Dec 2, 2025
Modern Kitchen With White Cabinets, Stainless Steel Appliances, And A Decorative Tile Backsplash, Featuring A Wooden Tray With Decorative Items On The Countertop.

Why You Keep Finding Cobwebs Even After Cleaning

You remove cobwebs from corners, ceilings, and furniture only to discover new webs appearing within days or even hours, suggesting ongoing spider activity rather than residual old webs from previous occupation. Cobwebs keep reappearing after cleaning because active...

Dec 2, 2025

Take back your home with pest control today.