Filth Flies

What are Filth Flies?

Filth flies cause annoyance and discomfort and can spread disease. All filth flies have an egg, larva (maggot), pupa, and adult stage in their life cycle. The most common Filth flies are: house flies, flesh flies, and blow/bottle flies. The house fly, Musca domestica is a small gray fly (1/8"- 1/4") with 4 longitudinal stripes on the thorax. Adult females lay up to 900 eggs at a time that can hatch within 8 to 20 hours and complete their life cycle is as little as 6 days. Flesh flies are medium-to-large sized flies (1/4" to 7/16") and usually have 3 dark thoracic stripes and mottled abdomens. Females lay up to 325 larvae during their life span and complete their life cycle in 10 to 25 days. Blow/bottle flies are larger still, (3/8" to 5/8" long), and appear to be metallic green, blue or copper. Females lay up to 600 eggs that can hatch in 8 hours and complete their life cycle in 12 to 35 days.

Why do I have them?

Filth flies mostly breed in outside structures. They are scavengers and feed mainly on decomposing animal and vegetable matter before contaminating human foods and food preparation surfaces by landing on them. When feeding, filth flies regurgitate their stomach contents onto food to liquefy it before ingesting it. They also may contaminate food and surfaces by defecating on them.

Are they dangerous?

The filthy habits of this pest make them transmitters of various diseases. Hookworm, whipworm, tapeworm, pinworm, roundworm, cholera, bacillary dysentery, infantile diarrhea, typhoid and paratyphoid are all disease-causing organisms with which these flies are associated. Filth flies pick up pathogenic organisms from sewage, garbage, manure, decaying bodies and other such sources. The pathogenic organisms are then passed onto humans and animals through the feces and vomitus of the fly.

How do you get rid of Filth flies?

Filth Flies are extremely difficult to control. That's why our service includes the necessary products and follow up visits for one fee. Our treatment methods consist of the following:

Initial Service - Detailed inspection of the interior and exterior of your home, then a targeted treatment of all areas where activity is present. Each Initial Service includes the application of seven exclusive Pest Guard steps, designed to rid your home of unwanted pests and keep them away.

Follow Up - Quarterly interior/exterior or exterior-only services will be scheduled as part of our annual Integrated Pest Management program. All Schendel Premium Care customers enjoy the benefit of our PestZero Guarantee. If pests return in between visits, Schendel returns for free.

Can I do it myself?

Due to the complexity of treatment and the time required, Filth Flies are generally not a pest many people have success in eradicating. Beware when purchasing pesticides and other products online as many are not effective. Pesticides can be harmful to people and pets if they are misused or mixed improperly.

How soon can you get here?

Schendel is 100% committed helping you ASAP. In most cases, we can respond the same or very next day.

Is the treatment safe?

Schendel uses the least amount of material as possible while still resolving the problem. We utilize natural products, baits, and mechanical means as a form of treatment as much as possible. When conventional materials are required, we follow very stringent guidelines for the use of the product so that is poses no threat to people, pets or plants. All products are registered by the EPA. Our service technicians will inform you of any specific safety measures that need to be taken.

How much does it cost?

We have standard pricing for all of our pest services, based on average size homes under 3500 square feet, and where the infestation does not require more than the standard number of services. We will always make you aware of any price changes before we start your service. Sign up for your FREE quote today and see how much you can save with Schendel.

What is the warranty?

Schendel offers customers an exclusive PestZero Warranty. We will target the source and eliminate your pest problem. If pests return, Schendel returns for free. Guaranteed.

How can I prevent this in the future?

Pest problems can be difficult to prevent. Many of our clients choose to continue service with our carpenter bee services to keep pests out of their home. You can also check our Pest Prevention Tips here.

Where does Schendel service?

Schendel Pest Services provides residential and commercial filth fly control and extermination services for Topeka, KS, Kansas City, KS, Lawrence, KS, Wichita, KS, Kansas City, MO, Springfield, MO, Phoenix, AZ, and Norman, OK.