Little house flies
categories: Fact Sheet Nuisance Pests
revision date: 2025-03-15 08:36
Photo by: Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org
Biology
The little house fly, sometimes called the lesser house fly, is a nuisance pest. The small male flies (1/8 to 3/16 inch long) are often found in houses; however, females are rarely found indoors. Little house flies are nothing more than a nuisance because they fly around in jerky, zigzag, aimless flight in rooms and shaded entry ways.
The little house fly breeds in animal dung and decaying plant material. The larvae are well adapted to move about in putrid, semi-liquid organic material.
Management Options
See "Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in the Landscape" for successful pest management techniques.
Non-chemical Management
Select non-chemical management options as your first choice!
- Do not provide good breeding sites.
- Do not place or compost vegetation waste near doorways or entries.
- Do not allow pet manure to accumulate in the yard.
- Fly traps (available commercially) can assist in keeping numbers down, particularly if you can’t control nearby breeding sites.
- Do not use “zapper” traps outdoors since they kill more beneficial insects than pest insects. However, they are useful indoors.
- Maintain tight-fitting window and door screens.
Chemical Management
IMPORTANT: For more information on using pesticides, visit Home and Garden Fact Sheets | Pesticide Resources and Education Program | Washington State University.
- None recommended
WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination.
Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.