How to get rid of dung flies?

There are over 1,200 types of dung flies worldwide, found in almost every densely populated area. Regardless of the specific variety, dung flies all share a similar appearance, making them fairly easy to identify. While they resemble houseflies, they are slightly larger and have a large head and a robust body. Dung flies are metallic in color and are typically green or blue.

Dung flies are attracted to animal carcasses and are often found around dead animals. Adults can lay their eggs in manure or animal carcasses. They can therefore be found laying large numbers of eggs, which then hatch into fly maggots that feed on dead animals until they reach maturity and become fully active dung flies. 

If the above description sounds familiar and you think you have a dung fly infestation, contact us !

The life cycle of a dung fly is known as metamorphosis, as it goes through the stages of egg, larva, pupa, and adult . Once the adult fly has laid its eggs, it only takes 24 hours to transform into a larva. 

The larvae, which resemble maggots, then feed on the carcass of the animal in which they were laid, causing the carcass to bloat. The fly then spends a few weeks in the pupal stage until it becomes a fully developed adult. This entire process takes approximately two to three weeks. Once the eggs have reached full maturity, the flies can live between two weeks and one month . 

There are several reasons why you might have dung flies in your home. They may have entered through open doors or windows, or through cracks in the walls. If you have a pet, it may attract dung flies for several reasons.  

Dung flies may initially be attracted to your pet's droppings outside and will migrate indoors if they sense something enticing (hence the name "dung fly"). Additionally, if your pet has an open wound, female dung flies may see it as an opportunity to lay their eggs for reproduction. 

Aside from that, dung flies are primarily attracted to decaying matter. This can include rotting meat, rotting vegetables, decomposing carcasses, and so on. Therefore, if you see flies active in a specific area, analyze the area to find what might be attracting them. This could be a compost heap, an animal carcass, etc.

One of the most difficult aspects of dealing with dung flies is that once adult flies have entered your home, they may lay eggs there, which can cause you further problems later on.

Although houseflies and dung flies share some visible similarities, there are also key differences that allow you to distinguish between them. The main visual difference between a housefly and a dung fly is their color. Houseflies tend to be much darker and lack the metallic sheen of dung flies. Instead, houseflies have short hairs covering most of their bodies. 

Furthermore, houseflies are attracted to all types of food and carry a multitude of pathogens that can spread and cause disease. Dung flies, on the other hand, are generally attracted to things you wouldn't eat, even if they are food. For example, they are commonly attracted to rotting meat and compost. You will also see dung flies swarming around garbage and excrement, something houseflies don't tend to do.

Although they are active year-round, dung flies are most commonly seen in the summer , as this is when they are most active. Therefore, you should be particularly vigilant for the possibility of a dung fly infestation during the summer months. 

It's fairly easy to spot a dung fly infestation, as they are a nuisance in your home, garden, and lawn. Dung flies usually congregate around a specific area , so their high concentration in one place makes them quite easy to spot. 

Furthermore, the constant buzzing you'll hear is a fairly obvious sign of any fly infestation. Even if you can't see all the flies in your house or garden, you'll undoubtedly hear that exasperating buzzing .

It is much more difficult to spot the signs of the larvae, as they are usually hidden in wounds, carcasses, or excrement. However, once they begin the pupation process, they emerge from these breeding grounds and are easier to spot. The best course of action if you suspect a dung fly infestation is to contact a pest control expert . 

Remove the breeding areas

Identifying the source and breeding ground of the flies is essential for getting rid of dung flies. Generally, dung flies breed in garbage, on dead animals, or in excrement. Therefore, if these are present in or around your home, you must eliminate them.

By removing dead rodents, animal droppings, rubbish, or a compost heap from your garden, you eliminate the source of the problem. Once you have thoroughly cleaned these areas , there will be nothing left to attract dung flies, and they will likely move to a new breeding ground.

Insecticide 

If dung flies remain around or inside your home after removing breeding nests, you can invest in an insecticide to get rid of the remaining flies. Most insecticides are designed for outdoor use only, so be sure to read all the instructions for the product you purchase before using it. Once you are confident in how to use the insecticide, spray it on the affected area and let it do its work. 

Aerosol 

If your dung fly infestation is inside your home, you can use an aerosol. Aerosols are specifically designed to kill insects indoors. These aerosols attack the insects upon contact with the spray, killing them quickly. While using them indoors is safer than using insecticides, you should still ensure your home is properly ventilated and keep windows open for at least 15 minutes after applying the product. 

Fly traps 

Fly traps are another method for getting rid of dung flies in your home. There are two types of fly traps: electric fly traps and glue traps . Glue traps are better suited for indoor use, while electric fly traps are generally used outdoors. 

Sticky fly traps are pieces of sticky paper that you can place on your walls, windows, floors, or any other surface. When flies land on these pieces of paper, they get stuck instantly. Once a few flies have been collected on the paper, you can peel the paper off your surfaces and dispose of it.

Electric fly traps are those that hang outdoors. They are usually attached to a porch, gutter, or garage. They attract flies with the light they emit. Once a fly is attracted to the light, it flies into the trap and is electrocuted. 

Insect control 

Although there are several ways to get rid of a dung fly infestation yourself, nothing compares to the intervention of a pest control company. 

By calling on an extermination company like RD, you can be sure of receiving fast and efficient service and getting rid of all the dung flies in your home. We offer various packages to provide our clients with fast, effective, environmentally friendly, and safe extermination services