Awareness of the growing threat posed by mold infestation in homes, offices, and other indoor spaces continues to spread. Beyond the health and respiratory problems caused by so-called “Toxic Black Mold” even more benign strains living in the air can cause a wide range of medical complications. This is especially true for individuals with respiratory allergies, chronic respiratory conditions, and those who are genetically predisposed to chronic inflammation.
Sometimes an indoor mold problem is obvious. You might see black, gray, or other discolored patches in wet, humid parts of your home, or perhaps an unpleasant earthy odor in a basement crawl space. Though there are certainly other times when a mold problem can be hard to detect without professional diagnostics. Especially if the mold has found a way to propagate inside your walls or other hard to see spaces.
One possible sign of an undetected mold problem in your home or office could be the presence of Phorid flies, sewer flies or some other gnats or bugs.
Mold growth in damp areas of your home can be concerning for many reasons. Not only can mold spores cause allergy symptoms and respiratory irritation, but mold can also attract flies and other unwelcome pests into your living spaces.
If you’ve noticed small flies hovering around bathrooms, basements, or other damp parts of your home, you may be wondering – are flies actually attracted to mold? Below, we’ll explore the connection between flies and mold so you can understand why these insects may gather in moldy areas
An Overview of Flies, Mold, and Their Relationship
-
Mold refers to a type of fungus that thrives in warm, humid environments. Different mold species exist, with black mold being a common indoor type.
-
Flies are insects with two wings that go through complete metamorphosis. Many fly species exist, including fungus gnats, moth flies, fruit flies, and phorid flies.
-
Certain flies are strongly drawn to the dampness musty odors and potential food source found in indoor mold growth.
-
Mold creates ideal breeding conditions for flies by providing a ready food supply and moisture. Mold also emits scents that attract flies.
-
The most common flies lured to mold are fungus gnats moth flies, fruit flies and phorid flies. All proliferate in damp organic matter.
-
Eliminating mold removes the moist, fertile environment flies need to reproduce and develop. This can help break the cycle of flies being attracted to mold.
Why Flies Are Drawn to Mold
There are four primary reasons flies seek out mold:
Moisture Source
Flies need constant access to water and dampness to complete their life cycles. Mold growth signals an area with abundant moisture where flies can comfortably lay their eggs. The larvae then hatch and develop in the moist environment.
Food Source
Some flies directly consume mold growth as a food source. Their larvae also eat the rotting, decaying organic matter associated with mold. The mold essentially prepares potential food for the fly larvae to eat.
Organic Scents
Flies detect the earthy, musty odor molecules released by mold growth. They instinctively recognize these scents as signals of a favorable environment. The mold smells attract flies to investigate further.
Shelter
Thicker mold growth provides flies with protection and cover. It offers flies a safe place to mate and reproduce away from predators or threats that could interrupt their breeding.
Common Fly Species Linked to Mold
Although many types of flies may visit moldy areas on occasion, these are the main fly species with a strong attraction to mold:
-
Fungus Gnats: Tiny black flies drawn to moist potting soil and decaying plant matter. Their larvae specifically feed on fungi.
-
Moth Flies: Known for gathering near drains, moth flies breed in slime, sewage, and damp debris.
-
Fruit Flies: Tiny flies depositing eggs on fermenting fruits and vegetables. They are attracted to the mold and yeasts involved.
-
Phorid Flies: A small fly that lays eggs on damp, rotting materials like fungi, sewers, and moldy spaces.
Health Risks of the Fly and Mold Combo
The combination of flies buzzing around moldy areas poses some potential health hazards:
-
Flies can transfer mold spores to other areas, spreading airborne allergens around your home.
-
Large fly populations around mold suggest high spore levels, elevating allergy and asthma risks.
-
Flies can transmit bacteria and pathogens picked up from garbage, fecal matter, or mold.
-
Exposure to mold raises risks of headaches, respiratory issues, fatigue and more in sensitive people.
-
Flies regurgitate on food surfaces as they eat, contaminating areas with bacteria and mold.
How to Get Rid of Flies in Moldy Parts of Your Home
If flies are gathering in moldy parts of your home, here are some steps to clear them out:
-
Fix any moisture issues such as leaks, improve ventilation, and reduce humidity to dry up mold.
-
Thoroughly clean or remove moldy porous materials that cannot be disinfected.
-
Install fly traps and baits to capture adult flies and poison larvae.
-
Apply targeted pesticide sprays in infested areas to kill flies on contact.
-
For large infestations, bring in pest control professionals for thorough fly treatments.
-
Eliminate access to food sources flies could breed in, like ripe produce.
Maintaining a Mold and Fly-Free Home
Prevention is key to keeping flies away from mold long-term:
-
Allow proper ventilation and quickly dry any wet spots to control moisture.
-
Repair plumbing leaks ASAP to avoid humidity and mold growth.
-
Clean produce immediately and store sealed to deter fruit flies.
-
Take out garbage regularly before decay odors develop.
-
Keep surfaces free of grime, dirt and dust where flies can breed.
-
Install tightly-sealing screens on doors and windows to prevent flies entering.
With diligence, you can maintain a home free from both pesky flies and allergy-causing mold! Let us know if you have any other questions.
The Phorid Fly Lifecycle
Unfortunately, phorid flies are also very good at quickly establishing a presence in indoor spaces. This is often because female phorid flies can lay up to 40 viable eggs in as little as 12 hours. The eggs can then hatch into their larval stage in as little as one day! Female phorid flies also can lay roughly 500 eggs in their life.
Phorid fly larvae develop fastest in the presence of moist conditions with decomposing organic matter nearby. This includes things like fermenting fruits, garbage containers, rotten vegetables, improperly stored meats. Even some organic glues and paints made from all-natural materials can serve as a viable breeding site for a large infestation of larval phorid flies.
These essentially give the larvae the moisture and food they need to develop into adult phorid flies in as little as 14 days. Though cool, dry conditions can slow the larval maturation process to nearly 40 days. So, the speed at which an indoor phorid fly infestation develops can also be an indicator of conditions inside walls, wet walls, or other parts of your home.
How To Phorid Flies Get Into A Home Or Office?
Phorid Flies can also infiltrate your home if there are dumpsters, recycling bins of garbage cans near an open window, or a frequently used access door. Sometimes a phorid fly problem will persist near a dumpster for weeks or even months. Once a few reproductive females enter an apartment or office building, they can then look for other areas to exploit and set up a larval infestation.
How Fungus & Mold Affect Fruit Fly Cultures
FAQ
Can flies be attracted to mold?
Their diet consists of mould, fungi, and small insects attracted to mould. Fruit flies: Mold can also attract fruit flies, although decaying fruits and vegetables are usually what the flies are after. It is possible for these tiny flies to find additional food sources in mouldy areas in kitchens and bathrooms.
Are flies attracted to damp?
Otherwise, you could be at risk of a fly infestation. You may also find that eggs have been laid in the drains, as flies favour damp and moist environments to hatch their larvae. These eggs can become larvae in as little as 24-48 hours in the right conditions, quickly becoming an issue.
Why do I have tiny flies in my house all of a sudden?
Flies may get in if you have food to attract them. Or they just need a place to lay their eggs. You need to kill them all to avoid the next generation. And check if there are cracks in walls or holes in screens letting them inside in the first place.
Why do I keep getting flies in my bathroom?
-
What are drain flies?Drain flies, also known as moth flies or fungus gnats, are small, fuzzy flies that are attracted to damp, organic-rich areas, like drains.
-
Why are they in your bathroom?Bathrooms are prone to moisture and stagnant water, creating an ideal breeding ground for these flies.
-
How to get rid of them:
- Clean your drains: Use boiling water to flush the drains, and then clean them with a metal pipe brush.
- Address clogs: Make sure your drains are flowing freely, as restricted water flow can lead to the buildup of organic matter.
- Consider using vinegar and baking soda: Pour a mixture of baking soda and vinegar down the drain to help dissolve buildup and kill the flies.
- Prevent future infestations: Regularly clean your drains and address any leaks or moisture issues in your bathroom.
- Boiling Water: Pour a pot of boiling water down your drain 1 or 2 times daily, and repeat this process for a week to prevent the flies from returning.
- Clean your drains: Use boiling water to flush the drains, and then clean them with a metal pipe brush.
Does mold attract bugs?
First, let us dispel the common misconception that mold itself directly attracts bugs. While some insects, like certain beetles, readily munch on fungal spores, mold’s allure isn’t a siren song for the bug brigade. Instead, the draw lies in the conditions that foster mold growth – namely, moisture and organic matter.
Does mold attract flies?
Learn how to deal with fly infestations. Sometimes homeowners see flies around mold. While mold itself may not attract flies, you can identify what type of fly they are, and how to get rid of them.
Does black mold cause flies?
It can also show up in crawl spaces where people have drainage problems, drier vents, or plumbing leaks. Sometimes tiny flies start to appear and the homeowners wonder if the black mold attracted the flies, or if the flies caused the mold, or if the two are even connected at all.
What pests are attracted to mold?
Fungus gnats and mold mites are two other pests closely associated with mold. Cockroaches, camel crickets , slugs, and millipedes are attracted to mold, too, though not because they feed on it. They’re attracted to the organic matter that mold helps break down and decompose. The smell of mold also attracts bugs.
Does mold cause bugs?
The presence of mold in the domestic environment often raises concerns about its connection to insect infestations. While the relationship between mold and bugs is not as simple as a direct attraction, understanding the underlying factors is crucial for effective pest control and home sanitation.
What are vinegar flies?
Some people call them vinegar flies because they are common in kitchens. They are attracted to fermenting fruit or vegetables. The adults deposit their eggs in the fruit and the larvae develop there. These tiny flies may appear where the black mold is, or they may be in another part of the home.