Fly control that follows each fly to its source

It depends on the fly. House flies breed in garbage, pet waste and compost; fruit flies in overripe produce and drain slime; drain flies in the organic film inside drains; and big metallic blow flies usually mean something dead nearby, often a rodent in a wall or attic.

Drain flies or fruit flies. Both breed in the gelatinous film that builds up inside drains, garbage disposals and floor drains. Pouring bleach down the drain rarely reaches it; the film has to be physically scrubbed out or treated with a bio-foam that breaks it down.

Yes. Commercial fly control combines drain treatment, exterior treatment at dumpsters and loading areas, sanitation recommendations, and fly lights placed correctly so they catch flies without drawing more toward food areas.

Sprays only kill the adults you see. Flies breed fast, so a lasting fix finds and removes the breeding source, whether that is a drain, a trash area or a dead animal, and treats the resting spots outdoors.

Often a sign that a rodent or bird has died in a wall, attic or chimney nearby and blow flies are emerging. Finding and removing the carcass ends it; see dead animal removal.

Keep trash cans lidded and rinsed, bag kitchen waste before it goes out, pick up pet waste daily, store ripe produce in the refrigerator, and run hot water and a brush through rarely used drains weekly. Fit screens and door sweeps on back doors, and keep bright lights away from entries at night. Most fly problems are fed by one small sanitation gap, and closing it does more than any spray.