Pest control company Rentokil has reported a 57.3 per cent increase in fly-related enquiries in the three months of April to June 2026 compared to the same period last year, as warmer weather and favourable breeding conditions drive a surge in activity across homes and businesses.
Flies are one of the most prolific seasonal pests, with species such as the common housefly becoming increasingly active during the warmer months. While often viewed purely as a nuisance, flies can contaminate food and surfaces with the pathogens (germs ) on their feet and hairy bodies, making effective prevention an important part of maintaining a hygienic environment.
An adult housefly typically lives for around 30 days, progressing through four life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Flies can breed rapidly where food waste, organic matter and suitable breeding conditions are present.
“The significant increase in fly enquiries shows how quickly fly populations can grow during the warmer months," said Colm Moore, regional technical manager with Rentokil. "Taking simple preventative steps, such as keeping food covered and disposing of waste promptly, can help stop a minor issue from becoming a larger infestation.”
As fly activity typically remains high throughout the warmer months, Rentokil is encouraging homeowners and businesses to take simple preventative measures to reduce the risk of flies entering their properties and breeding indoors. Keeping spaces clean and eliminating potential food sources can significantly reduce fly activity, including:
Clean food and drink spills promptly and dispose of food waste quickly.
Store food in airtight containers and avoid leaving it uncovered.
Remove uneaten pet food immediately.
Install insect screens on doors and windows where possible.
Keep outdoor bins tightly sealed and compost bins enclosed.
Use fly traps to reduce fly activity around your property.
It is also worth remembering that a wasp’s behaviour changes dramatically depending on the season, and right now is the time of year when a wasp nest reaches maximum capacity, housing anywhere from 3,000 to 10,000 wasps.
Around August, the queen stops laying worker eggs and starts producing new queens and fertile males. The lack of larvae in the nest means worker wasps lose their steady supply of sweet secretions. This leads them to seek their own sugary food outside the nest, including convenient human food, such as soft drinks, beer and waste food in bins.
