Flies, along with their relatives the mosquito, have caused more human and animal deaths than any other insect. The common housefly itself is suspected of carrying 65 human and animal diseases. It has been linked to outbreaks of cholera, anthrax, dysentery, tuberculosis, typhoid fever, yaws, leprosy, and tapeworm.

• The Center for Disease Control considers the common housefly a greater danger to humans than any other species because of its close association to us and its filthy habits.
• The main way to control flies is through sanitation. There are electric flytraps available that will kill large numbers of flies but when they zap the fly it explodes and sends minute pieces of fly for considerable distances.
• Flies can also be controlled as they are drawn to light.
• Do not use insecticides on flies as they may become resistant to the chemicals.
• The best you can do is vacuum up as many as possible. The best control is to prevent them from entering the building by sealing all areas of the building where flies may enter, particularly on the south and west sides.
• To end a fly problem, you must eliminate the breeding source, an organic source, perhaps a dead rodent. If this is an ongoing seasonal problem, the source is not inside your home, but outside. Spraying the exterior walls monthly will help control them.

If this is a new problem, you may have a dead rodent in the attic or in a wall. If you can't remove the rodent, time will take care of the problem as it decays.

We have a minor, yet annoying problem with small flies that appear to be fruit flies . They hang around all summer and into the warmer fall weather. Our home is free of fruit or other exposed foods. Our house is very clean and we have indoor cats and a dog. We can't seem to get rid of the flies. Suggestions?

The flies may be drain flies. Tape the drains shut with clear tape. If flies get stuck to the bottom of the tape, it would indicate a problem in the drains. Treat the drains. Also check the drip pan under the refrigerator and saucers under the potted plants. The flies need some sort of slimy material in which to breed.

My sister has larva crawling out of her bathroom light. They are slightly larger than a fly maggot and have black on them. The other side of the fan/light connects into the attic. She has seen up to five at a time in the light cover. They seem to crawl back up into the attic during daylight hours. Any idea what this could be?

Rodents will sometimes store food in the attics. This will attract beetles and moths. I suspect you are seeing their larvae. Another possibility is a dead rodent which has attracted maggots (fly larvae).