How Long Do Flies Live?

Flies buzzing around your home and landing on your food are not only annoying but unsanitary. If you have the right information, you can better decide how to deal with these flying pests.

Luckily, we’ve put together a guide on how long flies live and what you can do about them.

In this blog, we’ll look at the following:

What Kind of Flies Are in My House?

Identifying different types of flies in your house won’t make them any less annoying, but it will help you get the best fly pest control as soon as possible.

Generally speaking, there are a few types of common flies found in Arizona and the United States:

  1. Common House Fly: These large gray and black flies infest your trash cans and spread disease. They are the prototypical hairy, loud houseflies that many people picture.
  2. Blow Flies: Also known as bottle flies, these shiny blue or green insects prey on animal carcasses or rotting meat – meaning you might have two pest issues to take care of if you see a swarm of blowflies.
  3. Drain Flies: Often mistaken for a small version of the common house fly, drain flies are fuzzier and more moth-like in appearance. They typically infest sinks, showers, and other drains to lay edges in the buildup.
  4. Fruit Flies: These whitish or tan flies with red eyes feast on fruit and other sugary items left around your house. They also populate drain lines and look for sources of moisture to nest in, so make sure to keep your home tidy to avoid them.

These are some of the most common flies you’ll find in your home. They can all be dealt with by using the best home pest-care practices and contacting professional pest-control services if necessary.

How Long do Flies Live Indoors?

Though there are many different flies, the generalized life expectancy of a housefly is 15-30 days. While this might vary based on your house conditions and the environment (especially a warm one like Arizona’s), your home is likely to be friendlier for flies than the outdoors. This is one of the reasons why flies will invade and infest your home and why you need to use proper prevention and fly pest control techniques.

How Long Can Flies Live Without Food?

While flies in your home can survive for up to a month, flies can only live without food for two to three days. Access to water and other suitable nutrients may prolong this, but generally speaking, if there is no sugar to lengthen their life, they will not have a suitable environment to infest.

This means keeping your home clean and not leaving food out will deter flies from nesting in your home.

Will Flies Go Away On Their Own?

One housefly on its own will eventually die of natural causes, stress, or lack of resources. However, if you are researching the lifespan of flies, we doubt you have seen just one inside your home.

If you are experiencing a fly infestation and your home is a source of food, water, and shelter, flies will continue to nest and repopulate until the environment has changed.

Additionally, you will likely need professional pest control services if you have a severe fly infestation that has affected your property or drains significantly.

How to Prevent Flies in Your Home

To prevent fly infestations in your house, we recommend:

  • Wipe down all surfaces. Keeping your home tidy and clean is a great way to reduce possible food and water options for flies. Any food waste that remains on your floors or counters will be an instant green light for a fly infestation.
  • Store all food properly. Not just the food you eat, but your pet food and any products that contain sugars. Storing things like fruit and other produce may also attract flies if it is not properly covered or sealed.
  • Seal all windows, doors, and cracks. Though houseflies are small, they usually cannot fit through window screens or properly sealed homes. This means caulking your foundation, fixing any cracks or leaks in pipes, and ensuring your property is as guarded against flies as possible.
  • Take out trash and clean trash cans often. Flies are heavily attracted to decomposing organic matter and excess food. Your trash can is a great resource for both pests, so maintaining them often is key.

These are just a few of the best ways to pest-proof your home. Ultimately, if you are doing these things and still seeing many flies in your house, it might be time to contact a local pest control service near you.

How to Get Rid of Flies

Natural and DIY remedies combined with vigilant cleaning may be able to get rid of some flies in your home. However, if you have a fly infestation, you will likely need professional pest control services. 

A high-quality pest control company will provide:

  • First-visit home assessment and a unique plan for any pest problems
  • Modern and eco-friendly treatments
  • Integrated Pest Management Services for long-term pest protection
  • A free quote + scheduled arrival time that doesn’t keep you guessing
  • Pest removal services for houses, plants, garages, yards, and irrigation
  • Itemized billing for all pest control products and services

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