Flying Insect Control: 20 Expert-Approved Ways to Prevent Flying Insects

Flying insects are more than just a nuisance—they’re a real threat to food safety, indoor comfort, and even public health. Whether you run a commercial kitchen or just want a bug-free home, learning how to control flying insects is essential.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down what attracts flying bugs, where they’re entering from, and 20 professional ways to stop them from invading your space. From mosquitoes and fruit flies to moths and filth flies, we've got you covered.

What're the Harmful Effects of Insects?

While some people view flying insects as mere annoyances, they can pose serious health and hygiene risks. Many flies—including house flies, fruit flies, and blow flies—carry disease-causing bacteria on their legs and wings. These pathogens can transfer to food, cooking surfaces, and even our skin, increasing the risk of illnesses like food poisoning, dysentery, or E. coli infection.

In commercial kitchens and food-processing facilities, even a few flies can violate health codes and lead to costly shutdowns or legal penalties. At home, flying insects can contaminate produce, disrupt sleep, and trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Some species, like mosquitoes, go further—spreading diseases like West Nile virus, dengue fever, and Zika virus.

Simply put, uncontrolled flying insect infestations can compromise both our comfort and safety—making proactive prevention essential.

13 Common Household Flying Insects

Identifying the common household flying insects is the first step in effective flying insect control. While they may seem similar at a glance, each type of indoor flying pest has its own behavior, risks, and preferred environment. Here's a closer look at the most frequent invaders:

1. House Flies
The most recognizable pest, house flies are attracted to garbage, pet waste, and food scraps. They can carry bacteria and contaminate surfaces.

2. Fruit Flies
These tiny bugs hover around ripe fruit, wine, and sugary liquids. Fruit flies reproduce quickly and are often seen in kitchens or bars.

3. Drain Flies
Also known as moth flies, they breed in drains and sewage systems. Their fuzzy wings make them easy to spot near sinks and bathtubs.

4. Fungus Gnats
Common in overwatered houseplants, fungus gnats are attracted to moist soil and decaying plant matter.

5. Blow Flies
These metallic-looking flies are drawn to meat, fish, and decomposing organic matter. They pose a serious risk of food contamination.

6. Phorid Flies
Often mistaken for fruit flies, phorid flies are found around decaying food, garbage, and drains.

7. Mosquitoes
Beyond being annoying, mosquitoes can transmit serious diseases like West Nile virus and dengue fever. They lay eggs in standing water.

8. Moths
Certain moths, especially pantry moths, infest stored grains, cereals, and dry goods in kitchens or pantries.

9. Wasps
Although more common outdoors, wasps can enter homes through cracks and open windows, especially in summer and fall.

10. Flying Ants
Often confused with termites, flying ants swarm during mating season and may indicate a larger nest nearby.

11. Whiteflies
Usually seen in greenhouses or around houseplants, whiteflies suck the sap from leaves and can weaken your plants over time.

12. Cluster Flies
These flies invade homes in fall seeking warmth and may gather in attics, wall voids, or unused rooms.

13. Asian Lady Beetles
These look like ladybugs but often invade homes en masse in autumn. While not harmful, they can stain surfaces and release a foul odor.

What Attracts Flying Insects to Your Home?

To effectively implement flying insect control, you first need to understand why they show up in the first place. Like most pests, flying insects are primarily drawn to three things: food, shelter, and reproduction.

Odors from Trash and Decaying Food

The strong smell of rotting food, garbage, or even raw meat and produce acts as a magnet for filth flies, fruit flies, and other airborne pests. These odors signal a potential food source and attract insects from long distances.

Exterior Lighting Near Entry Points

Light sources, especially bright outdoor lights near doors and windows, attract night-flying insects like moths and mosquitoes. These bugs are drawn to the heat and brightness, increasing the risk of entry.

Standing Water and Moisture

Mosquitoes thrive in areas with standing water, such as puddles, clogged drains, or overwatered landscaping. Moist environments provide a place to breed and hydrate, making moisture control a top priority in pest prevention.

Seasonal Warmth and Shelter

During seasonal transitions, flying pests such as stink bugs and Asian lady beetles seek warmth and protected spaces. Your home or facility offers the perfect indoor refuge, especially during fall and winter.

These elements work together to turn your home, warehouse, or facility into an unintentional fly magnet.

Top Entry Points for Flying Insects

Knowing where flying insects enter is half the battle. Here are the most common entry points:

• Open doors, especially loading docks or frequently used staff entrances.

• Roof vents that emit food or waste odors.

• Unscreened windows and ventilation points.

• Damaged door sweeps, missing seals, or air gaps around bay doors.

• Wastewater channels and floor drains can serve as secret entry points.

• Bulk deliveries might carry fly larvae or eggs, especially in unpackaged food items.

Small flies like fruit flies or phorid flies can even breed indoors in fermenting fruits, drains, or garbage bins.

20 Effective Methods to Prevent Entry of Flying Insects

Let’s dive into proven, professional ways to keep flying insects out of your home or commercial facility.

1. Use Air Curtains on Frequently Used Doors

Installing air curtains helps create a barrier of fast-moving air that blocks flying insects from entering through open doors. They're especially effective in food-processing facilities or retail shops.

2. Keep Doors and Windows Closed

It sounds simple, but it's crucial. Train staff to close doors quickly and never leave them propped open.

3. Install Door Sweeps and Tight Seals

Flying insects slip through even the smallest gaps. Install high-quality door sweeps and seal gaps around entryways.

4. Cover Vents with Fine Mesh Screens

Any vent emitting odors should be protected with a fine mesh to keep bugs out without restricting airflow.

5. Use Sticky Traps and Pheromone Lures

Sticky traps capture flies while pheromone lures attract species like moths or fruit flies. Use them both indoors and near entrances.

6. Install Insect Light Traps (ILTs)

Place insect light traps in strategic areas like hallways, warehouses, or receiving docks—but never right next to food.

7. Use Bottle or Bag Traps Near Trash Areas

These outdoor traps use bait to attract and trap flying pests before they reach your building.

8. Store Trash Away from the Building

Never place dumpsters or bins near entrances. Flying insects love trash, so keep waste areas at a distance.

9. Clean Garbage Bins Regularly

Wash and disinfect bins frequently to remove organic residue that attracts filth flies and mosquitoes.

10. Eliminate Standing Water

Check for leaks, puddles, and blocked drains both indoors and out. Water is a breeding haven for mosquitoes.

11. Use Fly Bait Stations Outdoors

Place bait stations around doorways, especially near dumpsters or high-traffic exits. Always use secure, tamper-proof stations.

12. Position Lighting Strategically

Don’t place lights directly above doors. Instead, mount them on poles away from the building and angle them toward entrances.

13. Limit Exterior Lighting at Night

Mosquitoes and moths are drawn to light. Use motion sensors or turn off lights when not needed.

14. Sanitize Floor Drains and Wet Areas

Filth flies love to breed in gunk. Use microbial cleaners to break down organic matter in drains and crevices.

15. Separate Waste Handling From Main Operations

Design your facility or home layout to keep trash zones far from kitchens, dining rooms, or entry points.

16. Inspect Incoming Goods for Pests

Check all bulk deliveries and packages for signs of eggs or larvae, especially if you’re handling produce, grain, or meat.

17. Scatter Granular Baits Around Entry Points

Granular fly baits can help reduce populations around garbage zones or doorways when used safely.

18. Place ILTs Between Doors and Sensitive Areas

Use insect light traps to intercept bugs that do make it inside, but always keep them away from production zones.

19. Educate Your Team or Family Members

Everyone needs to be aware of fly prevention efforts. Staff training or family cooperation can prevent many careless mistakes.

20. Work with a Pest Control Professional

For larger facilities, ongoing issues, or health-critical zones, partner with an expert to develop an integrated pest management (IPM) plan.

Why Small Flies Are a Big Problem?

It’s easy to wave off a fly, but all flies carry pathogens. Health inspectors don’t take them lightly—and neither should you.

Filth flies can carry bacteria from waste onto your food. In commercial settings, this can mean contamination, health code violations, and even closures.

6 Best Flying Insect Killers for House on Market

Choosing the best flying insect killer for your home depends on your needs—whether you're targeting fruit flies in the kitchen, mosquitoes in the bedroom, or gnats near houseplants. Below are six highly effective products trusted by homeowners and pest control experts alike:

1. WowCatch Indoor Flying Insect Trap
Ideal for: Kitchens, bedrooms, offices
This plug-in trap uses UV light to attract flying insects and traps them on a sticky glue card inside. It’s quiet, chemical-free, and safe for homes with kids and pets.
👉 Buying: Best for discreet, mess-free fly control

2. Katchy Indoor Insect Trap
Ideal for: Fruit flies, gnats, mosquitoes
Combining UV light, fan suction, and sticky glue boards, this countertop unit is stylish and effective. Perfect for use in living rooms or kitchens.
👉 Great choice for design-conscious homeowners.

3. Safer Home Indoor Plug-In Fly Trap
Ideal for: Continuous use in homes with light fly problems
This compact LED-powered fly trap plugs directly into wall outlets and includes replaceable glue boards. No zap, no mess—just quiet operation.
👉 Best for low-maintenance, always-on protection.

4. Flowtron BK-40D Electronic Insect Killer
Ideal for: Indoor-outdoor transitions like patios, garages
This high-voltage bug zapper covers large areas and is perfect for homes near gardens or wooded areas. Keep it at a distance from indoor spaces.
👉 Powerful solution for serious insect problems.

5. TERRO Fruit Fly Trap
Ideal for: Kitchen counters, near trash cans
These vinegar-based bait traps lure and kill fruit flies using a non-toxic liquid attractant. Disposable and budget-friendly.
👉 Best budget option for fruit fly infestations.

6. Zevo Flying Insect Trap Starter Kit
Ideal for: Families wanting fragrance-free, chemical-free solutions
This modern-looking trap uses blue & UV light to attract flies and traps them safely on glue cards. Plug-and-forget design.
👉 Great for pet owners and scent-sensitive households.

Related Reading: 8 Best Plug-In Bug Catchers in 2025

Suggestion: Prevention Is the Best Control

The key to effective flying insect control is exclusion and hygiene. Don’t wait until you see swarms. Act early, stay consistent, and use a combination of barriers, traps, and good practices.

Whether you're managing a warehouse, food factory, or simply want a fly-free kitchen, these 20 methods can help you stay pest-free and healthy.

FAQs About Flying Insect Control

How do I get rid of flying insects in my house quickly?
Use a combination of indoor fly traps, sticky ribbons, and sanitation practices. Eliminate food waste, standing water, and place traps near light sources.

What smells attract flying insects the most?
Rotting fruits, fermented liquids, meat, and even sugary drinks can attract filth flies, fruit flies, and mosquitoes.

Are insect light traps safe to use around food?
Yes, but place them away from direct food preparation areas. They should be installed strategically in non-food zones to draw insects away.