30 Foods That Are Attracting Flies Into Our Homes

Garbage- kicking up a stink

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Flies are attracted to various types of food, due to their keen sense of taste and smell. To help keep flies away from your home, it's important to properly store and dispose of these foods. For example, flies are attracted to the scent of rotting food in the trash. Make sure your trash cans have tight-fitting lids.

Fruits/vegetables- an apple a day, doesn't keep flies away

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Over-ripe or decaying fruits and vegetables can be a fly magnet. It is best to store your fruit and vegetables in the refrigerator, or in sealed containers. Fruit flies are one of the most common type of fly found in the home, and they swarm to fruit/vegetables that are stored incorrectly.

Meat- wrap it up

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Raw or spoiled meat is a strong attractant, especially during the warmer months. You should keep meat within the refrigerator, or in tightly sealed containers. Raw meat should be kept separate from cooked meat, and should be suitably covered over e.g. plastic wrap/aluminium foil.

Dairy products- lactose intolerance might be better

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Milk, cheese and yogurt can attract flies, if they are left out in the open. These products should be kept within the refrigerator, within sealed containers/wrapping. Dairy products can spoil easily, so it is important check the quality of them, and dispose of them when necessary.

Sugary foods- providing flies with a sugar rush

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Anything with high sugar content, such as: candy, soda, fruit juice and fruit are attractive to flies. High sugar content is the most potent scent and taste for flies, so it is much easier for them to swarm to certain foods and drinks. In order to prevent this from happening, you should try covering up certain items.

Bread/baked goods- baguettes aren't best

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Open containers of bread and pastries are appealing to flies, due to their sugar content, additives, potential preservatives and flavorings. Bread and pastries should be stored in airtight containers, away from direct sunlight and general heat e.g. bread bins and Tupperware.

Cereal/grains- the most important meal of the day (for flies)

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Flies may be drawn to open packages of cereal, rice or pasta. Similarly to bread and pastries, flies are drawn to cereal and grains due to their sugar content, preservatives, flavoring and additives. These food items should be stored in airtight containers, within some kind of pantry/cupboard.

Pet food- your furry friends don't want flies in their food

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Pet food that has been left out can attract flies, especially within the warmer months. You should ensure that you cover and store all kinds of pet food properly. For example, wet food should be kept in a cool dry area, and dry food should be securely sealed.

Fermenting foods- amateur bakers, listen up

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Food undergoing fermentation, such as sourdough starter, can attract flies. This is due to the presence of certain ingredients, including: sugar, gluten and yeast. If you conducting some kind of fermentation, you should ensure all containers are sealed properly, and stored in appropriate conditions.

Rotting organic matter- neglected compost piles

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Compost piles and bins can be breeding grounds for flies, especially if they're not properly maintained. Flies are drawn to anything that is rotting, and will breed within conditions that excel the decomposition process. This is why it is important to maintain your garbage levels.

Dirty dishes

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Dirty dishes and food residue can attract flies, so you should wash your dishes promptly. Even if you don't wash your dishes immediately, it is best to leave them in hot soapy water to soak. You can also rinse off any residue, before washing them the next day.

Beer/wine

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Sweet alcoholic beverages are attractive to flies, due to their high sugar content and combination of other ingredients e.g. yeast, hops, preservatives, colorings and flavorings. Flies will typically swarm toward wine and beer, but they also find spirits attractive to their scent/taste.

Coffee grounds

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Coffee grounds can attract flies, so it is best to store them in a sealed container. Flies are attracted to coffee grounds, as they hold water that can quickly become stagnant. If coffee grounds are left to fester in the open, it is likely that you're going to be overwhelmed by flies.

Sauces/condiments

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Open bottles of ketchup, mustard and other condiments can attract flies. This is typically due to their high sugar content, flavorings and scent. It is best to keep the lid on all of your condiments, and store them within the refrigerator, as this will reduce the risk of flies coming into your home.

Jams/jellies

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Open containers of jams and jellies are sweet and attractive to flies, due to their natural ingredients and high sugar content. The majority of jams and jellies can be kept in a cupboard, or you can store them within the refrigerator. Just ensure that you replace the lid onto the jars.

Honey

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The sweet, sticky nature of honey can attract flies into your home. If you have open jars of honey, it is likely that flies will swarm into your home, especially during the summer months. It is best to store honey within a cupboard/pantry, away from direct sunlight.

Syrup

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Similarly to honey, open containers of syrup can be a fly magnet. This covers any and all kinds of syrup e.g. golden syrup, drink syrup and natural syrup. If you have flavored syrups within the home, these can be 10x more attractive to flies than 'natural' syrups.

Cooking oils

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Spilled or open containers of cooking oil can attract flies. Flies are attracted to cooking oil, especially darker oils like olive oil, because of their scent, appearance and taste. When cooking with oils, it is important to close the container, and cover any food after cooking.

Spices

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Some spices can attract flies, especially if they are spilt or left out. The scent, appearance (color) and taste of certain spices are extremely attractive to flies, and they should be stored securely e.g. cupboard or sealed container. If you spill any spices, you should clean the spillage immediately.

Sticky residues

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Any sticky substances, like spilled soda or juice can attract flies. As mentioned previously, flies are primarily attracted to food and drink that have a high sugar content. Any spillages of food/drink, that have high sugar contents, should be wiped up immediately with antibacterial spray.

Dirty drains

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Flies may breed in clogged or dirty drains, so you should keep them clean. Drains carry dirt, debris, waste and potential disease away from your home, and if they become clogged, flies are going to swarm to the affected areas. This can lead to long-lasting damage within your home.

Dirty mops/sponges

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Flies are attracted to the odors from dirty cleaning tools, especially if they are not cleaned properly e.g. rinsed with hot, soapy water. Cleaning tools like sponges and mops hold onto scraps of food, so it is important to clean them properly, and replace them regularly.

Trash cans

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It may seem obvious that trash cans are strong attractants to flies, but even clean trash cans can attract flies, especially if they previously held food waste. This is why it is important to maintain the cleanliness of your waste storage, and replace your trash can when necessary.

Leftovers

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Uncovered leftovers in the refrigerator, or on the countertops can attract flies. Any food that needs to be left on the countertop e.g. to defrost, should be covered entirely. This covering can be in the form of plastic wrap, aluminium foil or a sealed container.

Stale/moldy food

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Foods that have gone stale, or developed mold can attract flies. Decomposition of any food is a strong attractant for flies, due to the scent and taste. Any stale or molding food should be disposed of properly, as flies can still be attracted to the waste.

Onions/garlic

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Onions and garlic are pungent foods that can attract flies once they begin to rot. Their scent is exaggerated via the decomposition process, and can be tough to tackle if they're left for prolonged periods of time. Again, this kind of waste should be disposed of properly.

Pet waste

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Flies are attracted to all kinds of pet waste, so you should clean up after your pets promptly. Pet waste should be cleaned daily, whether it is contained within a litter box, or is within an open space e.g. garden. It is best to dispose of any pet waste separately from your usual household waste.

Indoor plants

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Overwatered houseplants can attract flies, due to the increased risk of 'root rot' (where the plant's roots begin to rot, leading to the plant decomposing). Ensure that you allow the plant soil to dry between each watering e.g. only water your plants once a week.

Stagnant water

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Stagnant water in sinks, drains or pet bowls can attract flies. Flies are attracted to the scent and taste of stagnant water, which is why drains should be cleaned regularly. Yous should also drain and deep clean your sinks, and ensure that your pets have fresh water daily.

Fermented beverages

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Homemade or artisanal fermented beverages, such as kombucha, can attract fruit flies. As mentioned previously, the process of fermentation often includes certain ingredients that are strong attractants for flies e.g. yeast, sugar, oil and water. These beverages should be kept in a cool, dry environment, within a sealed container.