Get rid of Flies - Buzzing Pests

Flies in Summer: What’s Attracting Them to Your Home (and How to Stop Them)

As the weather warms up, we often look forward to summer BBQs, open windows, and longer evenings. But unfortunately, summer also brings an unwanted guest: flies.

From buzzing around the bins to showing up uninvited in your kitchen, flies can be more than just a nuisance — they can indicate deeper problems like poor hygiene, drainage issues, or building defects.

At Gateway Property Hub, we’ve seen our fair share of summer fly problems in rental homes — and more importantly, we’ve helped residents deal with them.

In this post, we break down common causes, the main types of flies you might be dealing with, and how to prevent infestations before they start.

Why Flies Become a Problem in Summer

Flies love warm, moist environments and are attracted by:

• Food waste and overflowing bins

• Blocked drains or stagnant water

• Rotting organic matter (like nappies or pet waste)

• Entry points like unsealed windows, vents, or gaps in brickwork

• Warm lofts or attics where flies hatch after hibernation

Understanding what attracts them is the first step in controlling them.

Real-Life Scenarios We’ve Encountered

1. Flies from the Bins

In one property, a neighbour was using the shared bin area for soiled nappies. The bins, located close to open windows, became a breeding ground for flies and a source of strong odours. Tip: Always double-bag nappies and use bins with sealed lids. Residents can report misuse of shared bins to the council or managing agent.

Sprinkle fly deterrent/killer in the bin or hang sticky strips or sticky flower decals around the house. or use bin fly killer https://amzn.to/4kzscGI

2. Annual Fly Invasion Another resident reports flies entering every summer for a week or two. They appear suddenly in a bedroom, possibly from the roof space. This sounds like a cluster fly issue (more on that below).

Tip: Check for gaps around loft hatches or ceiling light fittings. Here is a link to some some excellent Foggers and sprays for cluster flies.

3. Kitchen Fly Swarms One flat experienced repeat fly problems near the kitchen window. The bins were around 5–10 meters away, and it’s suspected the flies were drawn from there. Keeping windows open without screens gave them easy access.

Tip: Consider using fine mesh fly screens or magnetic door covers. Easy to attach with adhesive or magnetic tape. See this link for some ideas

4. Flies and Blocked Drains At another property, a fly infestation was caused by blocked outdoor drains left unattended for months. Rotting waste in the pipes became a perfect habitat for drain flies.

 Tip: Report slow drainage or foul smells early. Regular drain maintenance can prevent this. I found some interesting products on Amazon

Common Fly Species in UK Homes

Knowing what you’re dealing with helps tailor the response.

Fly Type	Appearance	Attracted To	Where They’re Found
House Fly	Grey, 6–7 mm	Food, waste, manure	Kitchens, bins, food prep areas
Bluebottle	Shiny blue, 10–14 mm	Meat, dead animals, waste	Bins, lofts, dead rodents
Cluster Fly	Dark, 6–10 mm	Hibernates in roofs over winter	Attics, bedrooms (in spring/summer)
Drain Fly	Moth-like, 2–5 mm	Stagnant water, blocked drains	Bathrooms, kitchens, drain covers
Fruit Fly	Tiny, 3 mm, red eyes	Rotting fruit, wine, vinegar	Kitchen tops, bins, food waste

How to Prevent Fly Infestations

✔ Keep bins sealed and emptied regularly

✔ Double-bag food waste and nappies ✔ Clean up spills, crumbs, and pet food daily ✔ Flush and clean slow drains ✔ Use fly screens on windows and doors ✔ Seal gaps in windows, brickwork and rooflines ✔ Call pest control if you suspect nesting flies or blocked drains

Request for Tenants: Help Us Help You

We’re building a fly-prevention guide for tenants and landlords. If you’re noticing flies:

• Take a photo (especially if it’s every year or only a certain area)

• Note where they seem to enter

• Report early — prevention is always cheaper and faster than pest treatment

  
  

Research Sources for Further Reading

• Rentokil: Common UK Flies and Their Habits

• British Pest Control Association (BPCA): Fly Species Guide

• NHS: Preventing insect bites and stings

• Local authority fly-tipping and waste disposal pages

Happy Fly prevention this summer/. Let us know how you get on and watch out video on

YouTube short https://youtube.com/shorts/RbKEpRpKtzI?feature=share

and here is a link to the long video

Go to our channel for more handy household tips for homeowners, landlords, tenants and lodgers.

To sell or rent out your property, get in touch with us to get your free guide or How to sell or How to rent your home in South London.

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