Flies on food? Tips for Getting Flies to Buzz Off

Flies have been an inevitable part of our lives since their evolution nearly 250 million years ago. These small, winged creatures can easily disrupt an indoor meal or social gathering just with their buzzing. If you spot one on your barbeque or dinner meal, your likely reaction is probably simple: “ew.” 

While there isn’t a single or correct way to get rid of flies on your food, there are some approaches you can take to keep them cornered. In this article, we’ll review how to keep these annoying home invaders from growing into a bigger problem.

What happens when a fly lands on your food?

We all know the 5-second rule, right? Legend says if you drop some food on the floor, it’s okay to eat it if you pick it up in 5 seconds or less. If you approach things from that perspective, then you might ask yourself – What harm can come from a fly landing on your food for just a few seconds before you chase it away? Should you immediately throw your food in the trash?

Unfortunately, the contamination begins the exact moment these buzzy creatures land on your food. By the time you reach for your swatter, the damage has been done. From there on, the fly begins exploring its terrain.
Here comes the nasty part. 

If your food is meal-worthy, the fly will start to regurgitate saliva on it. The saliva liquefies the food for these pests, since – gross! – flies don’t have teeth! They eat by slurping fluids through a trunk-like nose. If the saliva part hasn’t grossed you out yet, stick around. There is plenty more nastiness coming your way.

Flies are known for carrying a bunch of different pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and parasite eggs. When it comes to passing those nasties, it’s not the question of the fly itself but its previous whereabouts. And the places they visit are far worse than anything you’ll find in your kitchen or outdoor barbecue. Their pathogen-filled footprints stomp anywhere from dumpsters, rotting animals, or even dog poop. The germs they pick up along the way get transferred from their bodies and ultimately to your food.

But, before you start dumping all your food and making yourself crazy that you have contracted salmonella, know that not every fly will carry those germs. Unless you live in a particularly germ-infested area or the flies feasted on your food for an extended period, you’re probably safe from all those worst-case scenarios… but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to keep flies off your plate.

House fly on screen

How to keep flies away from food?

Now that you have a basic knowledge of how our little invaders behave, here are some best ways to keep them away from your food.

1. Block Their Entrance 

  • This solution may be simple, but it’s easier said than done with a busy household. Don’t leave backdoors or garages open. Make sure you have a screen on your windows and doors and seal gaps around windows that have small cracks. 

2. Keep Your Food Covered

  • We know that sharing is caring, but you may want to leave the flies out of this. Flies can smell the food from afar thanks to their sharp senses. By covering your food, you prevent possible contamination.

3. Use Plants

  • Some aromatic herbs like lavender, mint, lemongrass, and basil are known for repelling flies. You might want to consider sticking them in flower pots by the front or back door as a natural solution to deal with these buzzy pests.

4. Clean Up After Your Pets 

  • If you’re not grossed out by now, here’s a fact that’s sure to leave you disgusted. Flies prefer to lay their eggs on poop, so it’s important to clean after your furry friends and their cages too to prevent any unwanted infestations.

5. Take Out the Trash and Clean Your Drains

  • Like many other insects, flies are attracted to moist and dirty places. You should empty your container with food waste every day and clean your sink with homemade or store-bought solutions.

How do I get rid of flies inside my house?

Swinging with the swatter to smack a fly just won’t cut it. If all the solutions mentioned above aren’t giving you much-needed results or you’re determined to once and for all eliminate these uninvited guests from your shared living space, consider investing in a quality insect trap like Katchy UV Insect Trap. Each Katchy indoor trap provides a safe, effective solution to in-home pests. The trap eliminates flying insects such as gnats, mosquitoes, and our little fly friends without the use of toxic chemicals, harsh odors, or hazardous electric zappers.

The UV light from the Katchy device enhances the impact of heat and lures insects in, sticking them on a surface without letting them escape. The long-lasting glued board is easily replaceable and is sure to keep your house buzz-free for at least four weeks. If you want to get the most of your Katchy trap, it’s best if you put it near fruit bowls, trash bins, or office space.

Final Thoughts

Few things are more annoying or disgusting than flies, but by putting in a little effort, you can protect yourself and your family from these buzzing pests. There are plenty of ways to approach this problem. Start with quick-fix solutions and work your way up. For ultimate results, the Katchy UV light bug trap is the true and tested method to keep your home a bug-free space.

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