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Local fly information

Fly control in California

Learn what to look for around your property, explore your city, and ask about an inspection or a quote.

Flies in California: what to know

Around California

Conditions vary across the state. Choose your city below, then describe what’s happening around your home or business.

What to note

Where you see flies, how long it has been going on, and anything you’ve already tried are the most useful details to mention.

A useful next step

Ask about an inspection, what treatment would involve, and whether follow-up visits are included. You don’t need to identify the problem yourself before getting in touch.

Local research

Flies in California: what the public record shows

Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which flies actually live in California, when they are busiest, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.

As few as 7 days in optimal summer conditions; batches of 100–150 eggs
House fly development

Extension figure that sets homeowner expectations for how fast flies rebound after cleanup.

University of California Statewide IPM Program
About 12 days; peaks early summer
Stable fly development

Extension figure that sets homeowner expectations for how fast flies rebound after cleanup.

University of California Statewide IPM Program
As little as 7 days
Blow fly development

Extension figure that sets homeowner expectations for how fast flies rebound after cleanup.

University of California Statewide IPM Program

Fly species recorded in California

  • House fly (Musca domestica) — Non-biting; breeds in manure, garbage, lawn clippings, decaying produce. 45 days at 60°F to 7 days at 95°F. Carries bacteria and viruses causing diarrhea, cholera, food poisonin…
  • Little house fly (Fannia canicularis) — Most numerous in cooler spring and fall; males swarm 5–6 ft above ground in protected areas; develops in animal waste and fermenting grass clippings.
  • Stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) — Biting fly with bayonet-like proboscis; about 12 days egg to adult; peaks early summer.
  • Blow flies (Calliphoridae) — Shiny metallic blue/green; breed in dead animals, garbage, manure; as little as 7 days egg to adult.

When flies are busiest in California

Little house fly peaks in cool spring and fall; house fly and stable fly peak in summer.

UC IPM: eliminating larval development sites is the most effective strategy; insecticides only as a last resort for adults.

For context, nationally

Sources: Flies (Home and Landscape); Texas A&M AgriLife Extension; University of New Hampshire Extension. Figures are quoted as the source prints them. How we check our sources

Explore California cities

Anaheim, California cityscape

Anaheim

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Bakersfield, California cityscape

Bakersfield

Semi-Arid · urban setting

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Chula Vista, California cityscape

Chula Vista

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Fremont, California cityscape

Fremont

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Fresno, California cityscape

Fresno

Semi-Arid · urban setting

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Glendale, California cityscape

Glendale

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Huntington Beach, California cityscape

Huntington Beach

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Irvine, California cityscape

Irvine

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Long Beach, California cityscape

Long Beach

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Los Angeles, California cityscape

Los Angeles

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Modesto, California cityscape

Modesto

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Moreno Valley, California cityscape

Moreno Valley

Semi-Arid · suburban setting

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Oakland, California cityscape

Oakland

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Ontario, California cityscape

Ontario

Semi-Arid · urban setting

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Oxnard, California cityscape

Oxnard

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Rancho Cucamonga, California cityscape

Rancho Cucamonga

Semi-Arid · suburban setting

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Riverside, California cityscape

Riverside

Semi-Arid · urban setting

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Sacramento, California cityscape

Sacramento

Mediterranean · urban setting

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San Bernardino, California cityscape

San Bernardino

Semi-Arid · urban setting

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San Diego, California cityscape

San Diego

Mediterranean · urban setting

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San Francisco, California cityscape

San Francisco

Mediterranean · urban setting

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San Jose, California cityscape

San Jose

Mediterranean · urban setting

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San Mateo, California cityscape

San Mateo

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Santa Ana, California cityscape

Santa Ana

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Santa Clarita, California cityscape

Santa Clarita

Semi-Arid · suburban setting

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Santa Rosa, California cityscape

Santa Rosa

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Stockton, California cityscape

Stockton

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Sunnyvale, California cityscape

Sunnyvale

Mediterranean · urban setting

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Fontana, California cityscape

Fontana

Hot-Summer Mediterranean · urban setting

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Ask about fly control in California