There are many flies that can get into a home and into a kitchen. When they do, they are able to spread harmful bacteria and disease everywhere they land. The phorid fly, also called the humpback fly because of the noticeable hump on its thorax, is no exception. These tiny black or gray flies are drawn to dead carcasses in the woods, rotting animals on the side of the road, and decaying organic material. When they get into a home, they can carry harmful bacteria in with them, or spread it from trash cans and toilet rims to food prep surfaces. They will target the remnants of food on dirty dishes, organic matter in trash and drains, ripening fruit, and anything that has bacteria on it.
Prevention
These flies can be prevented like most other flies:
Make sure all of your screens are in good working condition.
Put traps in strategic places to draw flies in and capture them.
Keep things clean. These flies are looking for a meal. If they have a hard time finding one in your home, they may move on.
Keep all trash sealed. If your interior trash is sealed, not only will you reduce the chances of these flies picking up harmful bacteria, you'll also stop them from breeding in these locations.
Wash all your trash cans periodically.
Use foaming bio-cleaning products in potential breeding areas such as under appliances, around plant pots, underneath floor mats, and in cracks and crevices.
Control
Phorid fly control begins with proper identification. While visual examination is the best way to make a proper identification, it can be hard to catch a phorid fly without squishing it. So, the best way to distinguish this fly from others is in the way that it will run across surfaces to get away from you. Most flies will take to the air if you startle them. The phorid fly may do this too, but it is a better runner than it is a flyer, and more likely to run away from you. If you see flies on your computer or television screen that run, instead of perch, those are probably phorid flies.
If you have phorid flies, you can use the above prevention methods to also control them. It is best, however, to reach out to a professional pest control company. When fly problems arise, there are systemic issues that must be addressed. Your pest control technician can help you figure out how the problem occurred, and help you prevent future infestations of this, and other flying pests, that could invade your home in a similar fashion.
If you're in our Illinois service area, let Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators help. We are standing by to assist you.