The euphonious name of the gold fly is deceptive. The shiny insect is one of the bluebottles. It is a feared disease vector. We show how you can quickly banish the pest from the house.
In a nutshell
- green flies in the house are mostly gold flies
- blowfly species
- important hygiene pests
- Females lay eggs in animal food or carrion
- transmit typhus, cholera and cause diarrheal diseases
recognize a gold fly
The goldfly (Lucilia sericata) is found throughout Europe, Asia and North America. It belongs to the bluebottle family. Her body is golden green in color and has a metallic sheen. For this reason it is also called the golden-green blowfly. Green flies appear in summer, from June to September. They are between 5 and 11 millimeters in size and are diurnal. However, the shiny flies rarely feed on nectar. Much more often they are on decaying flesh or animal excrement. The insects can perceive the smell over several hundred meters.
By the way, gold fly larvae are conspicuously colored pink. They are also known as pinkies.
Damage from the gold fly
The gold fly lives where people are. It belongs to the storage pests. The females lay their eggs in meat. In this way, it can transmit food-damaging and pathogenic germs.
The goldfly transmits diseases, for example:
- diarrhea
- typhus
- cholera
If green flies settle on wounds, blood poisoning (sepsis) can develop.
Food in which green flies lay their eggs becomes inedible.
Storage in the refrigerator does not help. The development of fly maggots in meat can only be stopped by cooking or freezing. Nevertheless, the meat is inedible after laying the eggs.
Green fly protection tips
Secure apartment from flies
Make sure that flies do not get into your home. Use fly screens. Balcony doors can also be locked in this way. The specialist trade offers various solutions, and custom-made products are also possible.
protect food
The goldfly uses sausage and meat to lay its eggs. Prevent her from finding breeding grounds with simple measures.
Tips:
- cover all foods
- Remove food residue
eliminate waste
Green flies like to lay their eggs in meat and fish waste and pet feces. In a short time the maggots develop and the flies get into the house.
Tips:
- Keep waste tightly closed and dispose of regularly
- do not leave used dishes unattended
- Wash pets' food bowls frequently
- Thoroughly clean the litter box, bird cage and rabbit hutch
- Wash garbage cans with a vinegar solution
Notice: The garbage cans in front of the house should also be cleaned every now and then to protect them from bluebottles.
find causes
If you notice more bluebottles in your home, look for the cause. A dead mouse in the building is often the cause of the fly plague. A dead bird in the front yard or the remains of raccoons and the like can also attract the flies.
Use natural fragrances
What smells unpleasant to humans is attractive to goldflies. Turn the tables around! Use scents against the pests. However, this can also be done without chemicals and your apartment will be filled with pleasant scents.
Tips:
- Distribute lavender sachets or bouquets of dried lavender around the home.
- Use vinegar cleaner for cleaning
- Plant tubs or boxes with basil, lavender and rosemary and place them on the patio or balcony
- Place pots of peppermint in the apartment
By the way, the green fly can't stand the smell of tomatoes. Plant your tomato plants near the windows or place pots on the balcony.
Design a garden close to nature
An effective measure against pests such as green blowflies is the natural design of the garden. Where birds and small animals thrive, flies are food. Their spread is thus limited in a natural way.
Spiders are natural enemies of flies. If you notice a spider web on the balcony or facade, do not remove it.
Catch flies in traps
Fly traps can help fight off the pests. The sticky bands attract the insects with their scents. They then stick to the trap. However, the sight of the fly traps is very unappetizing.
An alternative to the ugly sticky tape is the homemade flytrap:
Fill a mason jar with a mixture of water and sugar. Close the jar with a lid. Drill holes in the lid. Put it up in the apartment. Alternatively, you can put some jam or honey in the jar. The flies are attracted to the sweet stuff and can't find their way out of the jar.
Tip: Carnivorous plants are attractive and are great for repelling flies, mosquitoes and other insects. Keep your home free of flies with pitcher plants, Venus flytraps, sundews or butterworts.
fly swatter
A fly swatter costs only a few cents. It has been used for generations to get rid of flies. However, their use often causes stains on the wall. Today, battery-powered devices for removing flies are on the market. With a weak stream, harmless to humans, flies are killed quickly and without staining the wall.
frequently asked Questions
What remedies work quickly against goldflies?Set out bowls with water and a few drops of bay oil. The green flies will quickly leave your rooms again. Bowls of vinegar water have a similar effect.
Are fly screens available for windows and doors in special sizes?For window sizes that do not correspond to the standard, specialist shops offer custom-made products. Fly screens are also available, which you can cut and adapt to your windows yourself.
Can the compost heap be the reason?Usually the compost is not responsible for the increase in flies. Leftover meat and fish, which would attract the green flies to lay their eggs, do not belong in the compost. Throw this waste wrapped in newspaper in the organic waste bin, which should always be well closed.
How can you prevent fly infestation?Cleanliness and order are the key measures to prevent annoying flies. Use vinegar cleaner for cleaning. Also, get rid of animal waste lying around near the house.