Do you know what might be one of the most maddening sounds in human history? No, not nails on a chalkboard or a car horn in gridlock. For me, it’s the high-pitched buzz of a mosquito. You hear it whiz by your ear with that terrible whine, it loops around your head once or twice … then you know: it’s got you. It’s just a matter of time before you’re scratching a giant, itchy bite.
Mosquitos, gnats and flies are relentless in the summer. It’s their season, and they take full advantage. Below, we break down what draws them into your home and how to keep them out.
Fruit and sugar: Fruit flies and house flies (both categorized as “filth flies”) are drawn to sugary smells. According to Gil Bloom, president of pest control company Standard Pest Management, they often hitch a ride into your home as eggs on fruit or produce. Once the fermentation kicks in, they emerge.
Fermented food and drinks: Flies also love the scent of beer, wine, kombucha, cheese, yogurt and bread. Even if you keep these items in the fridge, small spills or crumbs on your counter can attract them.
Filth and decay: House flies don’t discriminate. Dirty mops, pet litter, leaking drains, compost bins and food scraps in the garbage disposal all draw them in, says Bloom.
How to get rid of flies: “Proper waste management and sanitation is the single most effective way to keep flies and fruit flies out of a home,” says Ian Williams, technical manager at extermination services company Orkin. Take out the trash frequently, rinse containers before tossing and don’t let produce overstay its welcome.
