The eggs are laid in damp areas on any type of rotting organic matter: dead animals, animal feces, kitchen waste, rotten fruits and vegetables, grass clippings, compost, and so on. When they move on after egg laying, adults carry away microorganisms and particles of organic matter that may be harmful to human health. They carry them on the fine hairs on their bodies, the spines on their legs, the pads on their feet, and their sponging mouthparts.

Given the nature of their mouthparts, houseflies cannot consume solid food. They must first dissolve it by regurgitating a liquid onto the food. Since their stomach contents come mainly from rotting organic matter, the regurgitation behavior is yet another potential source of contamination. In fact a fly’s stomach contents will either be regurgitated at the next meal, or excreted in the form of feces, often on food that will be subsequently eaten by humans.

If you have light traps for controlling flying insects attracted to fluorescent light, make sure to empty them regularly and change the tubes every year.

If you have fruit fly pheromone traps, make sure they are in good condition and that the bait (liquid bait containing a pheromone called muscalure) has not evaporated.

Kitchen sink drains should be cleaned once a week and regularly disinfected.

Floor drains where food can collect should be brushed and disinfected at least once a week.

Keep floors clean and pay special attention to hard-to-reach areas (under equipment, counters, sinks, etc.).

Regularly clean walls to remove food deposits.

Wet towels and dirty cloths must be able to dry quickly or be stored in a dryer, plastic bag, or airtight container.

Mops and brooms and other cleaning equipment should be hung up (out of contact with the floor) so they can dry out more quickly.

Gaps and cracks should be caulked to prevent them being filled with food waste or stagnant water.

Prevent puddles of stagnant water from accumulating, both indoors and outdoors.

Thoroughly clean the inside and outside of waste containers at least once a week (this also applies to dumpsters.)

Keep your garbage disposal unit, dumpster, and surrounding areas clean.
Windows must be equipped with fine mesh mosquito screening in good condition.

Avoid keeping doors open. If possible, install a second door with mosquito screening to provide ventilation.

Keep the outside of your establishment clean.

Remember that keeping your establishment clean eliminates egg laying sites and food sources that promote fly development. In fact in the case of fruit flies, good housekeeping accounts for more than 90% of their control.