Flies can ruin a good day. You’re sitting on your deck outside, and the flies keep buzzing about you. It’s difficult to say what draws them in because the more you sit outside, the more they come.
The majority of folks will conclude that it’s the wooden furniture that attracts them. It’s worth mentioning that flies are drawn to various things. Flies come in various species, each of which is drawn to something different. Is it true, however, that flies are drawn to wood? Let’s have a look;
Does Wood Attract Flies?
There is one sort of fly that is highly drawn to wood. Several small black flies are drawn to windows and other light sources when they emerge from the wood. The fly larvae feed on dead decaying organic matter and fungi beneath the bark of the wood.
Other fly species are attracted to other items on your wooden furniture rather than the wood itself. The smell of food is enough to attract the flies to your deck. It could be your pet’s food or even some crumbs or leftovers.
Spilled drinks will also be a big draw. Sugar attracts flies, and sodas, juices, and wine are among the drinks that will do so.
Check if your pets leave their waste and feces on the deck or the wooden furniture. You could also be leaving some open trash cans on the deck after cleaning up.
What Attracts Houseflies?
Houseflies are drawn to a variety of materials in your home. Some will provide food, while others will serve as breeding grounds. The following are a few factors that could be attracting houseflies to your home:
- Flies will flock to your home if you have sweet or fermented liquids. Spilled sodas, juices, wines, vinegar, and syrups are among the most common liquids that will attract flies.
- Flies will breed in the moist organic matter in your garbage. The flies will lay their eggs in the meat and vegetable scraps, providing food for their larvae.
- Flies are attracted to your home if your drains are clogged. They consume bacteria and organic matter that has accumulated in the sewers.
- You will also notice flies near your pet food or waste. If you leave your pet food out in the open, the flies will have an easy food source. On the other hand, your pet’s waste makes an ideal breeding ground.
- Rotting foods like overripe fruits or rotting vegetables become a magnet for flies within a short time.
Are Flies Attracted To Vinegar?
Flies have two different reactions to vinegar, depending on which one. Flies are attracted to apple cider vinegar. This vinegar has a strong sweet scent that fools the flies into thinking they’ve found an overripe fruit. Vinegar is made from fermented fruit, attracting flies, particularly fruit flies.
On the other hand, white vinegar has a different effect on the flies. Because white vinegar lacks sweetness and has a strong odor, the flies are not attracted to it. If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, you can still make your trap with white vinegar.
The fermentation smell will attract the flies, even if the white vinegar does not have a sweet smell. You can add a small amount of honey to the trap mixture to attract the flies.
Are Flies Attracted To New Wood?
Apart from waiting to see if the new wood has anything the flies can eat, it may not be enough to entice them to stay for long. It will only attract flies if it provides food or serves as a breeding ground. In most cases, new wood will not provide either of these benefits.
Are Flies Attracted To Cedar Wood?
Because cedar wood contains chemicals, flies are not drawn to it, making it a natural bug repellant. The wood also has a pungent smell that repels flies. Most woodworkers like to construct outdoor furniture out of cedar wood.
The following are two reasons why flies avoid cedar wood:
- The natural oil in cedar wood produces a strong aromatic odor that appears to keep flies away. This strong odor prevents the flies from laying their eggs in the wood.
- Thujone is a chemical released by cedar wood. The substance is a neurotic substance that causes nerve damage in flies and other insects.
The flies will die from these three factors; dehydration, suffocation, and disruption of the chemical balance in their bodies. The oil dehydrates the flies by robbing them of their bodily fluids.
Flies breathe through the trachea, and cedar wood is poisonous to those tubes as it closes the breathing openings. The chemical emitted by cedar wood causes the flies’ body pH to become unbalanced.
Are Flies Attracted To Rotten Wood?
Wood soldier flies are a type of fly drawn to decaying or dead wood. They range in length from 4 to 14 mm and are covered in short fine hair. The antennae have three segments, and the mouthparts are yellow.
Wood soldier flies are not harmful to humans but have been reported to eat common houseflies. Adult flies are sluggish, require prompting to fly, and are attracted to light. Its larvae can be discovered in decaying wood or beneath the bark.
The best way to eliminate the wood soldier flies is by eliminating the larvae. The larvae are harmless and can be picked with a tissue and discarded. For the adults, you can use an aerosol insect spray.
Why are Flies Attracted To Fresh-cut Wood?
The only thing that can draw flies to the fresh wood is the smell that piques their interest. Flies are curious, especially if there is a new smell in the air. They’ll be racing around, figuring out if it’s a new food source.
Flies are attracted to cut tree stumps freshly. Some beetle flies have been observed attacking bark before it dries.
Are Fruit Flies Attracted To Wood?
Fruit flies are drawn to overripe fruits and vegetables because they can feed and lay eggs on them. For them, any sugary product is quite appealing. Sweet saps are produced by trees such as maples, shagbark hickories, paper or sweet birches, and boxelder.
Because fruit flies strongly prefer sugar, these sweet saps attract many. The flies are attracted to the yeast produced by the decomposition of plant matter.
What Are Flies Attracted To That Kills Them?
It is not your primary responsibility to attract flies to kill them. Most individuals use products that attract flies to avoid exerting a lot of energy. You can still use the following fly attractants against them:
- Rotten fruit: Because flies are attracted to rotten fruits, you can use them as a trap to get rid of them. Put the rotten fruit in a disposable container. Cover the container with plastic wrap and poke holes big enough for the flies to fit through. Once the flies are inside the container, dispose of it and make another.
- Vinegar: Vinegar also attracts flies, so you can use it to get rid of them. Fill a disposable container halfway with water, then add vinegar and sugar. Add a few drops of soap dish to the mixture and stir well. Place the mixture in areas where flies cluster. They are drawn to the vinegar and drown when they come into contact with water.
- Red wine: You can build a swimming trap out of red wine and drown the flies. Fill a disposable container halfway with red wine and soapdish and seal it with plastic wrap. Make enough holes for the flies to get in. The flies are attracted to the red wine, and the soap will ensure that they drown.
How To Get Rid of Flies at Home?
Flies can be annoying and make a living in your house uncomfortable, not to mention the risk of disease transmission. The only way to have serenity in your home is to get rid of them.
Let’s have a look at a few options for dealing with this problem:
1. Remove what attracts them
The first step in getting rid of flies is to eliminate the source of their attraction. Make sure no food is left out on tables or countertops. Dishes should be washed as quickly as possible and not left in the sink for long periods. Dishwasher doors should not be left open. After each meal, wipe away any crumbs collected on the tables.
If you feed your pets wet food, ensure it’s well covered between meals and that their bowls are cleaned after eating. Cover garbage cans and take out rubbish regularly.
2. Set up a natural fly trap
You can create a simple flytrap that will attract and imprison unwanted flies. A fly bait (such as apple cider vinegar or fruit), a plastic container, and plastic wrap is all you need. Set up your flytrap in a corner and dispose of the trapped flies once you’ve caught enough.
If creating the trap seems like too much labor, you can purchase Fly Strips on Amazon.
3. Seal all possible entrances
Maintaining complete control in a busy household can be difficult, so you should shut all the flies’ entrances. You can caulk around windows to seal gaps and small crevices that flies use to get into your home.
Consider installing a screen door with a quick-closing mechanism for the doors leading outside the house. You should repair any damaged mesh on the windows and doors. Avoid leaving the garage or cellar door open for extended periods.
4. Lure them out with light or buy a light trap
Flies are attracted to light, so close the door to the room they are in on a bright sunny day. Except for the one gap that lets light in, close the draperies and blinds. When you open the outdoor window, the flies will begin to follow the light and leave.
You have the option of purchasing an Indoor light Trap. Keep it away from the windows to avoid drawing flies from the outside. You should also place it in an area where flies tend to gather.
Conclusion
Few fly species are drawn to wood unless the wood sap is sweet. On the other hand, flies can still cause havoc in homes, which is why we’ve included a few ways to get rid of them.