Fly Control in Toronto: Why Flies Keep Coming Back

Flies driving you crazy? Get free quotes from licensed pest control operators in the GTA.

Every GTA homeowner has dealt with flies in the house at some point. The sudden appearance of dozens of tiny flies around the fruit bowl, the persistent hum of house flies near the garbage, or the large, sluggish cluster flies that gather at south-facing windows in October. Each species has different habits, different attractants, and requires a different approach. Getting rid of flies starts with knowing which fly you are dealing with.

Common GTA Fly Species

Fruit flies (Drosophila) are tiny, about 2 to 3 mm, with red eyes. They appear suddenly and in large numbers, typically around ripe fruit, vegetables, and fermenting organic matter. They can breed in a dirty drain in as little as 48 hours. They are most active in late summer and fall when produce is abundant.

House flies are medium-sized, grey, with stripes on the thorax. They breed in garbage, pet waste, and decaying organic matter. They do not bite but can carry over 100 different disease organisms on their legs and body. In GTA homes, they are usually associated with garbage, recycling, or pet areas.

Cluster flies are larger and darker than house flies, with a distinct golden sheen. They are a problem in fall when they gather in large numbers on the sunny sides of buildings, particularly south and west walls. They enter homes through gaps around windows and doors and hibernate in wall voids and attics. In spring, they warm up and try to exit, often ending up inside living spaces.

Drain flies (psychodids) are small, fuzzy, and moth-like. They are usually found near drains, sinks, and basement floor drains. They breed in the organic sludge that builds up inside pipes and drain traps.

Eliminating Fruit Flies

Fruit flies are one of the easiest pest problems to solve once you eliminate the attractant:

• Remove all ripe or overripe fruit from the kitchen, or refrigerate it
• Clean the fruit bowl and any surfaces with a solution of water and white vinegar
• Take out the garbage and clean the bin
• Empty and clean the green bin
• Rinse recycling containers before they go in the bin
• Clean the drain with boiling water and a drain brush
• A bowl of apple cider vinegar covered with plastic wrap with a few small holes will trap existing fruit flies

Eliminating House Flies

• Keep garbage in sealed bins and take it out daily
• Clean up pet waste immediately
• Do not leave food uncovered, especially meat and sweet foods
• Screen windows and doors
• Install fly traps near garbage areas
• A professional operator can apply residual insecticidal treatments to exterior areas where flies are breeding

Eliminating Cluster Flies

Cluster flies are the hardest to eliminate because the population that appears in fall already entered the building in the previous year. Effective control requires:

• Exclusion sealing of all potential entry points in the exterior walls, including gaps around windows, doors, utility penetrations, and roof soffits
• Exterior treatment in late summer with a residual insecticide applied to the building exterior where flies cluster
• Interior treatment of common areas and upper floors where flies emerge from wall voids in spring

When to Call a Professional

Call an operator if:

• DIY methods have not eliminated the problem within a week
• You have recurring fly problems throughout the season
• You run a commercial kitchen or food business with fly problems
• You have drain flies that persist after cleaning the drains

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of flies are common in GTA homes?

The most common are fruit flies (small, red eyes, around fruit), house flies (medium, grey, around garbage), drain flies (small, fuzzy, near drains), and cluster flies (larger, sluggish, gathering at windows in fall).

Why do I keep getting fruit flies in my kitchen GTA?

Fruit flies are attracted to fermenting organic matter. Check your fruit bowl, recycling bin, empty wine bottles, and green bin. Eliminate the attractant and you eliminate the flies.

How do I get rid of drain flies?

Clean the drain with boiling water and a drain brush. Pour boiling water down the drain, then scrub the inside of the pipe. Professional operators use enzymatic cleaners that break down the organic material.

What is attracting flies to my GTA restaurant or commercial kitchen?

Commercial kitchens attract flies through food preparation areas, uncovered waste, grease buildup in kitchen exhaust filters, and drainage issues.

How much does fly treatment cost in Toronto?

Interior fly treatment runs $150 to $300. Drain cleaning and treatment runs $200 to $400. Commercial fly control programs run $300 to $800 per month.

Have a fly problem? Get free quotes from licensed pest control operators in the GTA.