Can houseflies enter your home through house plants?

My mother died 2 weeks ago. I brought home all the plants from her funeral 8 days ago. Today when I got home, there were at least a dozen house flies in my window. The only thing different is the introduction of the house plants. I did repot a Spider plant a few days ago, but it went from one pot to a brand new pot, so I doubt that is it. It makes me wonder where the heck they came from and the only thing I can think of is the plants. From what I hear, the gestation period for flies hatching is 7-10 days so it appears to me maybe eggs were laid in one of the plants. Since I only got them 8 days ago, this could be why I haven't seen any before? I like the plants and don't really want to get rid of them. If this is my problem, is there any way to make sure there is are no live eggs in the plants so I don't see any new flies? I want to avoid any new flies. Thanks!

Can houseflies enter your home through house plants?
Flies can lay their eggs in the soil of the plants.
Reply:Yes , they can get in that way . Another way is through the soil used for house plants . The fly eggs are in the soil , and before you know it , the house has little flies all over the place .





The bad part is that they don`t all "hatch" or die at the same time , so you can have flies in the house all year round and never know how they`re getting in .





For plants to be kept in the house , sterilized soil must be used .





Take my word for it .................. we went through this a couple of years ago before we found out how the little beasties were getting in .
Reply:Flies can't 'enter your home' through house plants ... but if the plants are in 'good compost' there could be 'maggots' (before they become flies, they are maggots) that you may not be able to detect. But ... since your mom died two weeks ago, I'm guessing that there has been 'a lot of trash' that you had to take out ... and you could have 'picked up the eggs' on your shoes, which grew to be maggots in some 'garbage' and are now 'full fledged house flies.' Either that or they could be 'entering your home' when you open the door to go in and out ... or there could be 'tiny holes' in the screens ... it's now summer, and there are always 'a few flies' that are going to make it in to houses ... EVERY HOUSE, no matter how 'clean' and 'sanitary' ... you said you found the flies 'in the window' ... they are trying to 'get out into the world' ... so let them out, and then be 'more careful' if you don't want flies ... but if you don't want flies, you may be 'over disinfecting' and could be actually 'damaging' your own immune system, so when you do something like 'catch a cold' it will be MUCH WORSE and could even KILL YOU because you are having 'chemicals' do the job your immune system is meant to do. So ... swat those flies and take out the garbage ... but don't 'expect to keep flies out permanently' because you could be harming your own HEALTH!
Reply:nope they can only enter your house threw open doors and window. You would know if you had fly eggs in your home because first of all your house has to have something nasty enough for them to lay them in, something warm, moist and organic like rotten food or decaying flesh..Second after they hatched you would have a crap load of magot running around the nasty funk...then they turn into flies...So unless you got some funk you are leaving something open...Flies generally tend to migrate into homes more when there is going to be a change in the weather like it is going to rain...Plants and Flies don't cohabitate sorry!
Reply:Houseflies typically lay their eggs in decaying organic material, which can include the damp soil of a potted plant or a dead bird or rodent near the foundation of your home.





If what you are seeing is smaller, like a gnat, its probable that it came in with the plants. If its a housefly size however, its more likely because of decaying garbage, food or a small bird / rodent.





I suggest you use an aerosol bomb to eliminate the immediate flies, then inspect the plants. The soil should be allowed to dry between watering - constantly damp soil will allow the larvae to mature to new flies. I'd also suggest inspecting around the foundation of your house, flowerbeds, etc. for any dead vermin.
Reply:Yes, the flies can come in on plants. Don't get rid of the plants. All will be well once you get rid of the flies you are now seeing.





God bless you, sweet lady.