The 12 Most Common Types of Flies In North America

Flies are far more than just a seasonal annoyance — they can spread bacteria, contaminate food, and even signal deeper hygiene or structural issues within your home. Whether it's the ever-present house flies, moisture-loving drain flies, or blood-seeking biting flies, each species comes with its own habits, risks, and challenges.

In this expert guide, we’ll walk you through the 12 most common types of flies in North America, how to identify them, what attracts them, and most importantly — the most effective strategies for flying insect control to protect your home and health.

The Real Dangers of a Fly Infestation

While many people simply swat away flies without a second thought, these tiny pests can pose serious health and hygiene risks. Understanding the dangers behind a fly infestation helps highlight why fly prevention is more than just a matter of comfort — it’s about safety.

1. Disease Transmission

Many types of flies, especially house flies, flesh flies, and bluebottle flies, feed and breed in places like garbage, feces, and decaying meat. As they move between these unsanitary areas and your kitchen surfaces or food, they can transfer over 100 known pathogens, including:

• E. coli

• Salmonella

• Tuberculosis

• Typhoid

• Cholera

2. Food Contamination

Flies don't have chewing mouthparts — instead, they vomit digestive enzymes onto food to liquefy it before consumption. In the process, they may leave behind bacteria and fecal particles. This can spoil food quickly and make it unsafe to eat.

3. Rapid Reproduction

A few flies can quickly become hundreds. Many species, like fruit flies and house flies, lay hundreds of eggs in just a few days. In the right conditions, these eggs hatch into larvae (maggots) and reach adulthood in under a week — leading to a fast-growing fly infestation if not stopped early.

4. Allergic Reactions and Skin Irritations

Certain biting flies — such as black flies, horse flies, and stable flies — can cause painful welts, rashes, and allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Their bites may become infected or trigger swelling, itching, and even flu-like symptoms in rare cases.

5. Damage to Reputation or Livelihood

For homeowners, flies are embarrassing and unsightly. For businesses — especially in the food, hospitality, or healthcare industries — a fly problem can damage customer trust, result in health violations, and lead to negative reviews or fines.

What Attracts Flies to Your Home?

Before learning how to get rid of flies, it’s important to understand what draws them in. Most indoor flies are attracted to:

• Rotting food or fruit

• Pet waste

• Damp drains or sinks

• Trash bins

• Standing water

Different types of flies are attracted to specific materials. Fruit flies, for instance, love fermenting sugars, while drain flies prefer the slime in pipes. Knowing what attracts them is the first step toward fly prevention.

Types of Flies In North America

As a trusted expert in flying insect control across North America, WowCatch specializes in identifying and eliminating all major types of household flies—including fruit flies, drain flies, house flies, and biting flies. With years of field-tested experience and science-backed solutions, we help homeowners tackle the root cause of infestations quickly and effectively. When it comes to protecting your home from flying pests, WowCatch is the name professionals trust.

1. House Flies

One of the most widespread types of flies, house flies (Musca domestica) thrive in urban and suburban areas. These gray-bodied flies with red compound eyes feed on garbage, pet waste, and human food. Though they don’t bite, they carry over 100 disease-causing pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella.

House fly prevention tips include:

• Keep trash sealed.

• Clean pet areas frequently.

• Avoid leaving food out.

To manage an infestation, use sticky traps or UV light fly traps near high-traffic areas.

2. Fruit Flies

Tiny but persistent, fruit flies are some of the most annoying flies in the kitchen. Their favorite breeding spots include overripe fruit, wine bottles, and dirty drains. Females can lay 500+ eggs, which hatch within a day.

To get rid of fruit flies:

• Store fruit in the fridge.

• Rinse recyclables like beer and soda cans.

• Use DIY traps with apple cider vinegar and a drop of dish soap.

Because of their short life cycle, fruit fly infestations can multiply fast if not handled quickly.

3. Drain Flies

Also known as sewer flies or moth flies, drain flies breed in organic slime found in sink drains and floor grates. They’re weak fliers but can be seen crawling on walls and surfaces near moist areas.

Signs of a drain fly infestation:

• Small, fuzzy gray flies hovering near sinks or bathtubs

• A musty smell from your drain

To eliminate them:

• Scrub drain pipes with a stiff brush.

• Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain.

• Use an enzyme-based cleaner to destroy organic buildup.

4. Biting Flies

Not all flies are harmless. Several species of biting flies feed on human or animal blood. These include:

• Horse flies

• Black flies

• Deer flies

• Sand flies

• Stable flies

These flies that bite humans often live near water or outdoor livestock and can cause painful welts or allergic reactions.

Fly prevention tips:

• Wear long sleeves and insect repellent outdoors.

• Avoid swampy or shady areas during dawn or dusk.

• Eliminate standing water near your home.

5. Bluebottle Flies (Blow Flies)

Bluebottle flies, or blow flies, are metallic blue and often signal decaying organic matter nearby, such as a dead rodent or meat waste. They breed quickly in animal carcasses and garbage and can carry diseases like tuberculosis and E. coli.

If you see an influx of these types of flies in your house, check attics, wall voids, and garbage areas for decomposing material.

6. Cluster Flies

Cluster flies are larger, slow-moving flies that enter homes in late summer or early fall to hibernate. They hide behind walls and attic insulation during winter, becoming active when temperatures rise.

While they don’t breed indoors or spread disease, they can be a nuisance in large numbers.

How to keep cluster flies out:

• Seal windows, doors, and attic vents.

• Use caulk to fill cracks before fall.

• Vacuum up visible flies as they emerge.

7. Little House Flies

Smaller than common house flies, little house flies are often found indoors flying in circles without resting. They breed in compost, animal manure, and garbage.

They're especially common near poultry farms or places with organic waste.

Prevention tips:

• Use flyscreens in barns or windows.

• Maintain clean garbage disposal systems.

• Keep animal waste covered and cleaned.

8. Flesh Flies

Flesh flies (Sarcophagidae family) are drawn to rotting meat or excrement. Larger than house flies, they have gray thoraxes with dark stripes and are most active during warm months.

These flies don’t bite, but their presence suggests poor sanitation or a decaying source nearby.

Check for:

• Animal waste not properly cleaned

• Decaying meat scraps

• Dead pests inside walls or attics

9. Phorid Flies

Often confused with fruit flies, phorid flies are sometimes called humpbacked flies. They prefer moist areas like drains, garbage disposals, or even cracked pipes under flooring.

If you notice persistent small flies in bathrooms or kitchens, especially after cleaning, it may indicate a plumbing leak. Phorid fly infestations often signal deeper sanitation issues.

10. Fungus Gnats

Fungus gnats are tiny black flies that breed in the damp soil of houseplants. Though harmless to humans, they’re an indoor annoyance.

To control fungus gnats:

• Let soil dry between watering.

• Remove decaying plant leaves.

• Use sticky traps near affected pots.

For severe infestations, consider repotting plants in fresh, sterile soil.

11. Stable Flies

Though they resemble house flies, stable flies bite aggressively and feed on the blood of animals and humans. They breed in manure, wet hay, and decaying vegetation.

Common near farms or coastal homes, stable flies are a major pest to livestock, causing stress and health issues.

Stable fly control includes:

• Disposing of manure weekly

• Cleaning up spilled feed or wet grass

• Using outdoor fly traps near barns

12. Sand Flies

Sand flies live near sandy areas like riverbanks and beaches. They bite at night and may transmit diseases such as sand fly fever.

These small, pale flies are most active after dark.

To avoid bites:

• Wear long pants and sleeves outdoors at night.

• Use repellents with DEET.

• Keep doors and windows screened.

Preventing Indoor Fly Infestations

Take Out Trash Regularly

Unsealed or overflowing trash is a top attractant for flies. Remove garbage daily and always use tightly sealed bins to prevent access.

Store Food in Airtight Containers

Open food, especially fruit and leftovers, can draw fruit flies and house flies. Keep all food stored in sealed containers or refrigerate when possible.

Rinse Recyclables Before Disposal

Sugar residue from soda cans, wine bottles, and juice containers can lead to sudden fly infestations. Rinse thoroughly before placing in recycling.

Clean Pet Waste Promptly

Whether indoors or outdoors, pet waste is a breeding ground for flies. Clean litter boxes and yards frequently to reduce attraction.

Scrub Drains and Eliminate Moisture

Drain flies breed in organic buildup within sinks and pipes. Regularly clean drains with a brush or enzymatic cleaner to remove slime and debris.

Identify and Eliminate Hidden Breeding Sites

Some flies lay eggs in concealed places like under appliances or inside wall cavities. If you notice recurring flies, inspect less-visible areas for leaks, rotting food, or trapped moisture.

Using Fly Traps and Repellents

Fly traps are a valuable part of flying insect control. Choose traps based on the species:

Avoid using bug zappers near food-prep areas, as they can disperse bacteria. For chemical solutions, only use insecticides labeled for indoor use, and always follow directions carefully.

When to Call a Professional

If DIY methods fail, a pest control professional can help. Licensed experts can:

• Identify the exact type of fly

• Locate hidden breeding sites

• Apply targeted treatments

• Advise on long-term fly control strategies

Final Thoughts

Knowing the 12 most common types of flies in North America helps you take control before these pests take over your space. Each species has its own habits, risks, and preferred breeding grounds — but they all respond to the same core strategy: stay clean, stay proactive, and stay protected. With the right mix of sanitation, targeted fly traps, and proper exclusion, you can keep your home fly-free and your family safe.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the fastest way to get rid of flies in the house?

Use a combination of sanitation, DIY vinegar traps, and sticky paper near fly hotspots. Identify the fly type for best results.

2. Why do I have so many flies in my house all of a sudden?

Sudden infestations usually mean something is rotting or breeding flies nearby — like overripe fruit, garbage, or a dead animal.

3. What scent keeps flies away naturally?

Flies dislike scents like eucalyptus, peppermint, citronella, basil, and cloves. Use essential oils or scented sachets near entrances.