Houseflies!!

[bcblondie]

Help! I'm going nuts. They're overtaking. I've never had this problem before and have no clue where they're coming from. We have brand new windows and screens. They're not getting in from outside. Even when all the windows and doors are closed for hours, more and more show up.
I've thrown door rug outside because about 2 weeks ago I saw a couple maggots. I guess from our wet shoes... I put my mint plant outside... Scrubbed out my pantry, taped off some openings... It hasn't helped. I made a trap but it hasn't caught any. I use an icecream pail for foodscraps for the compost but it's sealed.
They're so gross! Help!

[littlest birds]

We have the same kind of compost bucket and the flies will get in even with a lid. They just will. I guess they get in when we use it but there are always some hovering when I open it. In the summer we keep it outside the back door instead of in the house. We also keep our trash and recycling outside. We do our dishes ASAP too. If they are sitting in the sink even with water soaking them the flies love it. Clean crumbs and food bits from tables and floors. (You might have some food hidden somewhere such as under a couch?)

No matter what we do, when it is hot we get some flies. They are not too bad if we use sticky paper and clean extra and put things outside, but I find that with warm muggy days and no A/C there will be a few around. And they are awful! We have various pets and I am always cleaning up something but there is always something around--somewhere--that flies are attracted to. We just fight them until it cools off. I should kick their butts out somehow, but given our circumstances I am not sure how. I'll peek in to see what other replies you get maybe I can learn something

[bcblondie]

Thanks for your response. I don't think it's my compost as I change the bin frequently. By which i don't just mean emptying it. I throw the bucket out and use a new one. This one has been there less than a week. I don't think it's enough time to breed flies. But maybe they are sneaking in from outside through a crack to get to it... I doubt it though.
We have a dishwasher so dishes don't often get left out. And we've had it for 5 years so I don't understand "why now" all of a sudden.
Food bits around the house is possible. I have an 18 month old. lol. He enjoys crushing his snacks. haha. I might have to move my couches, I guess.

But I would think if there was something rotting, attracting them, I would smell it. No?

I'm so at a loss. I fear they've made a home inside a wall or something...

[FloridaBorn]

I'm in Florida and the flies are just really bad this year. More so than in years previous. I've moved my recycle bins away from the carport and around to the side of the house... same with my garbage can. I take out the indoor recycling bin daily and am mindful of the kitchen garbage and dishes. That's really all you can do. Poor some bleach in the outdoor garbage can.

Oh! And give your partner/kids a flyswatter and let them have at it! DH killed 7 houseflies in our family room the other day

[bcblondie]

Thanks FB. They don't seem as bad today. Only a few so far. Weird. The other day I went downstairs for an hour, came up and there were 20 of them!

On the plus side, putting my mint plant outside seems to have done my plant some good! I used to have black dots on it but now it's gone. Weird.

[SubliminalDarkness]

No great suggestions from me, just commiseration. The flies are driving me nuts. And I know ours are just from when we open and close doors going in and our. I think they actually hover just waiting for the opportunity.

[bcblondie]

Originally Posted by SubliminalDarkness

. I think they actually hover just waiting for the opportunity.