Getting rid of flies is not as simple as you might think.

Summer in the Midwest is beautiful, but it’s also prime time for small flies to invade your home. The combination of heat and humidity creates the perfect breeding grounds for a number of pests, including the dreaded fruit fly. If you’re swatting at teeny tiny flies or finding them circling your sink or kitchen, you’re not alone.

Getting rid of fruit flies and their tiny winged friends takes more than a quick spray. This guide breaks down who these pests are, why they’re more than just a nuisance, and how to send them packing for good.

Why are Flies Worse in the Summer?

When temperatures rise, so does the fly population. Moist, warm environments speed up the breeding cycle for all kinds of small flies. Mixed with other conducive conditions, such as overripe produce or standing water, you’ve got a full-blown infestation in days.

Beyond being annoying, these pests can carry bacteria, contaminate your food, and even harm houseplants. A few flies today could mean dozens in as little as a week, so understanding what you’re dealing with is key.

Midwest Summer Fly ID & Solutions Chart

The chart below lists four common small flies that wreak havoc in homes during this time of year, what they look like, what conditions they love, and some effective preventative measures to take if you encounter them in your home or business.

Fly	Image & Description	Loves	Lookalikes	Preventative Measures
Fruit Fly	Single fruit fly (drosophila melanogaster) on white background Tiny (1/8”), tan, red eyes. Hovers near food or drains.	Fermenting fruit/vegetables, wine, juice, sticky kitchen spills	Fungus gnat, phorid fly	Apple cider vinegar traps, clean kitchen/dining areas, refrigerate produce
Fungus Gnat	Small (3mm), dark, mosquito-like; often around soil	Moist soil, decaying plant roots, overwatered pots	Fruit fly, non-biting midges	Let soil dry, bottom-water plants, use sticky traps around plants
House Fly	Gray, fast flyers, about 1/4” long	Garbage, pet waste, compost, open food	Blow fly, stable fly	Seal trash, clean bins, repair screens, use fly lights/traps
Drain Fly	Fuzzy, moth-like, slow flyer near sinks	Gunk in drains, soap scum, organic buildup	Moth, tiny brown moths	Enzyme-based or microbial drain cleaners, scrub drain covers, maintain dry pipes

Can I Get Sick if a Fly Lands On My Food?

All four of the flies described above (fruit flies, fungus gnats, house flies, and drain flies) can transmit harmful pathogens that can make us sick. Flies are not the PRIMARY cause of bacterial or food-borne illnesses, but they can definitely contribute to the spread of harmful pathogens through mechanical transmission.

For example, a house fly might land on contaminated surfaces like garbage, feces, or raw meat and transfer harmful Salmonella, Listeria, or E. coli bacteria to humans as they prep or eat food. Coming into contact with these pathogens can cause food poisoning symptoms in humans. Drain flies, fruit flies, and fungus gnats that live and breed around decaying organic matter can help to spread pathogens in kitchens and bathrooms the same mechanical way.

Because of this, proper and consistent sanitation is CRUCIAL to keeping fly populations at bay, as well as lessening the risk of disease around a home or business.

When to Call a Pest Control Professional

There’s no shame in asking for the help of a pest control professional to help combat a small fly issue – it’s what we’re here for! DIY fly solutions are not always effective at solving a fly issue at its root cause. Consider calling in a professional when:

• Flies return even after you’ve cleaned and trapped.
• You’ve solved one fly problem, but another fly species shows up.
• The infestation grows too fast to manage with DIY methods.

A licensed pest professional can identify exactly what kind of fly you’re dealing with and apply targeted treatments that are safe for your family and pets.

Take Back Your Summer

Don’t let small fly pests ruin your summer plans. With the right know-how, a few proven strategies, and help when you need it, you can enjoy a fly-free home all season long.

Need backup? Contact us today for a summer fly inspection and let our experts help you kick these pests to the curb so you can get back to grilling, gardening, and enjoying the sunshine worry-free.