House flies are a common sight around flowers, both indoors and outdoors. While their presence can be unsettling, it is a relatively common occurrence. Understanding why these insects are drawn to your blossoms and how to manage them can help maintain a pleasant environment. This guide explores the reasons behind this attraction and practical solutions.
Why House Flies Are Attracted to Flowers
House flies are not drawn to flowers for pollination like bees. Instead, they are attracted by decaying organic matter, moisture, or sweet secretions. Decaying plant material, such as fallen leaves or spent petals, provides a food source and breeding ground. Moisture from overwatering or poor drainage also creates an inviting environment for flies, including fungus gnats. Additionally, honeydew, a sugary byproduct from pests like aphids, serves as a sweet attractant. Some flowers with strong, sweet fragrances or odors resembling decay can also inadvertently draw flies.
Are They Really House Flies?
Before taking action, accurately identify the insects on your flowers, as several types can be mistaken for house flies. House flies (Musca domestica) are 1/8 to 1/4 inch long, gray, with four dark stripes on their thorax and a single pair of wings, with small club-like halteres for flight stability. Other common flower-visiting flies include hoverflies, which mimic bees or wasps, and fungus gnats, which are smaller and black, often found near moist soil. Small bees, beneficial pollinators, have four wings and typically thicker, hairier bodies. Accurate identification helps in choosing the most appropriate management strategy.
Impact of House Flies on Flowers
House flies pose minimal direct harm to the health or vitality of flowers. They do not feed on plant tissues, leaves, or roots, nor do they lay eggs directly on healthy plant parts. Their primary interest is in decaying organic matter, moisture, or sugary excretions found on or near plants. The presence of house flies on flowers is more often a nuisance to people than a threat to the plant. While house flies can carry bacteria, this is more relevant to human health or food hygiene than causing plant disease. Therefore, observing house flies on your flowers usually indicates an environmental factor attracting them, rather than a direct pest problem for the plant.
Getting Rid of House Flies on Flowers
To remove existing house flies from your flowers, several non-toxic approaches are effective.
A gentle spray of water can dislodge flies from plant surfaces without harming the blooms.
For potted plants, moving them to an area with better air circulation can make the environment less appealing.
Simple DIY traps can help reduce their numbers. An apple cider vinegar trap, made by mixing vinegar with a few drops of dish soap in a dish, covered with plastic wrap with small holes, attracts and traps flies. The dish soap reduces surface tension, causing flies to sink.
Placing sticky traps near affected plants can also physically capture adult flies.
Preventing Future Infestations
Long-term prevention of house fly infestations involves maintaining a clean and less attractive environment.
Regularly remove decaying plant material, such as fallen leaves or spent flowers, from around plants and pots. This eliminates potential food sources and breeding sites.
Manage moisture levels by avoiding overwatering and ensuring proper drainage in pots. This prevents consistently damp soil, which attracts fungus gnats and other flies.
Promptly dispose of any overripe fruit or pet waste in nearby areas, as these are strong attractants.
Strategically place plants known to deter flies, such as basil, mint, lavender, and rosemary, near your flowers due to their strong scents.