Keep it Clean

Sanitation is the key to many successful pest control strategies and small fly control is one of them. This is also one of the issues PMPs frequently attempt to educate consumers about, though often without success.

According to the survey, only 17% of respondents said their customers are taking an active approach with sanitation, while 58% said their customers “sometimes” focus on it. Almost a quarter (23%) said customers show a very low interest in sanitation improvement, which is how many of these infestations start in the first place.

Commercial kitchens are particularly challenging. In fact, 12% of PMPs said 50% or more of the kitchens they service have regular small fly issues requiring at least one service visit per quarter. And 34% said between 10% and 49% of their commercial kitchen customers regularly have small fly problems.

But customer education may be starting to pay off. In the survey, 42% of PMPs said customers are getting better at sanitation, while only 14% think their clients are getting worse.

Jennifer Glen, senior biologist at Veganix Pest Management in Elmsford, N.Y., said her treatment strategy centers on sanitation and education.

“Sanitation is essential not only for controlling small flies, but for effective pest management overall,” Glen said. “Maintaining cleanliness inside and outside homes and commercial properties is critical. It’s important to promptly remove debris, stagnant water and rotting food.”

Glen added that she’s found gentle but direct communication to be the most effective approach. This includes providing recommendations and practical tips during follow-up visits.

“Most customers take action based on my advice,” she said

Environmental Pest Control’s Highley said, “Sanitation is the single most important factor in small fly control. Without it, treatments will fail — every time.”

Highley’s challenge is communication. Customers often underestimate how small amounts of buildup — drain scum, trash residue, grease accumulation and moist, decaying material — can sustain a small fly population.

The most effective communication strategies Highley utilizes involve showing evidence (e.g., photos or live inspection findings) and being specific. For example, saying, “This drain needs weekly cleaning” is far more effective than vague instructions like, “clean better,” she said.

Highley also ties sanitation directly to results by explaining, “If this isn’t corrected, the flies will return.” Pest management professionals said the messaging needs to emphasize that the technician handles treatment and monitoring, while the customer is responsible for cleaning and maintenance.

BHB’s Nieves said, “I’ve had accounts where a problem is completely taken care of, only to hand it off to a night cleaning crew that stopped cleaning the drains. Handing it off has to come with specific areas, drains, equipment to maintain.”

Total Pest Control’s Hayden said sanitation is 100% part of the solution. He said, “That will align the customer with the PMP with the recommendations and actions needed to solve the problem.”