Fly Pest Control Services in Illinois

Are there flies in your home? Do they seem to keep appearing as if from nowhere? We know how frustrating that can be. And it can be dangerous. Flies carry disease-causing bacteria on their bodies and can spread them through wherever they land – including our food.

It’s smart to get rid of a fly infestation as soon as you can. Try some of the tips below and call American Pest Control anytime for a quote on fly pest control services.

Aside from being very annoying, flies can also carry all sorts of diseases from place to place. These unwanted microbes, such as bacteria, can then spread and grow on the food you eat and on your body.

 

Here are the three main types of house flies we see in Central Illinois and what you can do about each species.

Drain Flies

What Do Drain Flies Look Like?

Drain flies can look like tiny brown, gray, or black moths. They have furry wings and bodies. Drain flies grow to no more than ¼” long and don’t fly for extended periods of time or long distances. 

Where Do Drain Flies Come From?

Not always from drains. They often slip inside homes through minuscule holes in walls, window screens, or door or window frames.

Once inside, drain flies often stay near sinks and drains. But they can also infest toilet tanks, loose floor tiles, leaky pipes, and other sources of moisture.

How Do I Get Rid of Drain Flies?

You can try putting up flypapers or glue boards on each wall of a room. Then, search the area near whichever one collects the most flies.

You’ll probably find them in a moist area, often close to organic matter they’re feeding on. Clean it thoroughly and try to prevent them from returning to that area by keeping it clean and dry.

Fungus Gnats

What Do Fungus Gnats Look Like?

Fungus gnats are very tiny and dark in color. They are about ⅛” long with thin bodies and long legs.

Are Fungus Gnats Actually Flies?

Yes, they’re like miniature fruit flies with black bodies. They eat rotting organic material, and they often lay their eggs in moist soil where plenty of this matter is available—especially fungus.

Fungus gnats sometimes infest and damage gardens and house plants. They are also attracted to light and to the carbon dioxide we exhale when we breathe.

How Do I Get Rid of Fungus Gnats?

Take away what attracts them. Clean up any dead plants, bark, and dead fruit that have collected around your home. If the soil in your houseplants contains composted material, replace it with a different type and make sure it drains well after watering.

Phorid Flies

What Do Phorid Flies Look Like?

Phorid flies look a lot like fruit flies, but their back legs are a bit horizontally flattened, almost like a grasshopper’s legs. They also don’t have red eyes. And their backs have a hunch to them.

How Do I Get Rid of Phorid Flies?

Phorid flies search for rotting animal and plant material. They can breed quickly in garbage, yard clippings, carcasses, compost, and damp organic matter.

The only way to prevent phorid flies from gathering is to clean up the places they breed. Sometimes, it’s as simple as finding the apple core that got kicked under the stove.

You could also rinse out an infested floor drain with a specialized product and scrub it with a high-quality brush. Some homeowners have had to break through a concrete floor to root them out, but we recommend getting a professional to help you if it comes to that.

Cluster Flies

What Do Cluster Flies Look Like?

Cluster flies are larger than most common house flies, growing up to about ⅜” long. They are dark gray with short golden hairs on their thorax, giving them a slightly shiny or fuzzy appearance. Unlike house flies, they move slowly and tend to gather in groups.

Where Do Cluster Flies Come From?

In Illinois, cluster flies are most noticeable in the fall and early spring. They live outdoors most of the year, laying eggs in soil where earthworms are present. When temperatures drop, they enter homes through small cracks around windows, doors, siding, and attic vents to overwinter—often clustering in wall voids, attics, or sunny windows.

How Do I Get Rid of Cluster Flies?

The most effective solution is exclusion. Seal cracks, gaps, and entry points around your home before fall. Once inside, vacuuming is the safest way to remove them. Crushing cluster flies can leave stains and odors, so avoid swatting. For recurring issues, professional treatments focused on exterior entry points are often needed.

House Flies

What Do House Flies Look Like?

House flies are medium-sized flies, about ¼” long, with gray bodies and four dark stripes on their thorax. They have red eyes and transparent wings and are strong, active fliers.

Where Do House Flies Come From?

House flies are common throughout Illinois, especially in warmer months. They breed in decaying organic material such as garbage, animal waste, compost, and food residue. They often enter homes through open doors, windows, or damaged screens while searching for food.

How Do I Get Rid of House Flies?

Sanitation is key. Keep trash sealed, clean spills quickly, and remove food waste regularly. Repair window screens and limit open doors when flies are active. Indoors, traps and fly baits can help reduce numbers, but ongoing problems usually mean there’s a nearby breeding source that needs to be addressed.

A large number of adult flies can be the most obvious sign of an infestation, but there are other things to watch for as well.

• Maggots or eggs in your trash.
• Tiny dark spots on high surfaces where they are leaving droppings.
• Unusual and unpleasant odors around standing water, decaying materials such as leaves, or trash cans.

You can help prevent a fly infestation by keeping up with simple home maintenance, like emptying the trash and removing pet waste frequently, cleaning your drains and gutters, removing standing water, and sealing gaps and cracks in your doors and windows.

Remember to keep food properly stored and schedule a friendly American Pest Control provider to treat your home for pests regularly.

 

You can find a lot of remedies and advice on the internet about how to deal with fly removal. There are some advantages and disadvantages to trying these methods.

DIY

Pros

• You’re in complete control of the process and the method you choose. 
• It may be cheaper than using a professional fly control service.

Cons

• It may take a while to find a method that works for you and your home.
• DIY fly removal methods tend to be less effective, allowing an infestation to grow.
• It can be a lot more work, extra money, and stress as you try to handle the problem on your own.

Professional Fly Control

Pros

• It can relieve a lot of stress and hard work from your shoulders.
• The professionals know exactly what high-grade chemicals and prevention methods will actually work.
• You can schedule repeat service to help keep your home fly-free.

Cons

• The cost may seem higher compared to simple DIY methods that may or may not work.
• You may encounter a pest control company that is less than professional and doesn’t do what they say.
• You may have to adjust your schedule to allow the exterminator into your home to work.

American Pest Control wants you to have complete confidence in the work we provide and the customer service you receive. Call us for a free estimate and get to know us for yourself!

American Pest Control stays on top of the latest information about how to detect, remove, and prevent flies from becoming bothersome in your home. We can expertly find the source of your flies, clean out their breeding grounds, and treat your home to keep them away.

Your professional exterminator will discuss their findings and treatment methods with you before we begin, to ensure all your questions are answered and you are comfortable with the fly removal service. We even offer environmentally friendly pest management.

“Completely stopped the insect problem and put our mind to ease.” Bonnie H.

“Best service and always helpful!” Jeanne S.

“Their technicians are always on time, friendly, and efficient.  I highly recommend them!” Louise M.