Why A Swarm Of Flies Outside Your House Could Be A Sign Of A Major Problem
While the transition into spring and summer is sure to bring more flies near your house, an extreme abundance of these insects might mean something is amiss. Though flies can be attracted to your home by a variety of factors, such as stinky garbage, leaky pipes, or rotting food, a swarm of flies, particularly blow flies, could be an indication of a gas leak. While this isn't guaranteed to be the reason for these insects invading your space, you might want to look into it if you've done everything else to keep annoying flies out of your home.
If you're unsure that the numerous flies buzzing around your property are pointing to a gas leak, try to see if there are any other signs. The smell of rotten eggs is often the biggest indicator of a natural gas leak, but you may also notice bubbles in standing water like puddles, healthy plants starting to die, or hissing sounds. Though the flies outside your house won't do any harm, a gas leak could have serious repercussions for your property.
Why flies could be a sign of a gas leak
While it may seem strange that flies are attracted to gas, it's all due to the odorants added to the gas. Natural gas and propane have no smell, which is what makes them so difficult to detect. Because of this, chemicals are added to the gas to give it an unpleasant smell that usually is similar to rotten eggs. Flies are notoriously attracted to the smell of decay, and blow flies specifically lay their eggs on rotten meat or produce. When the flies smell the gas, they could mistake it for a food source or a safe spot for their eggs.
Mercaptans are often one of the chemicals used to give natural gas a scent, and 2-mercaptoethanol has been shown to attract flies when combined with swormlure-2 and sodium sulfide, according to a study published in the Journal of Chemical Ecology. By paying attention to where the flies are congregating, you may be able to determine the location of a gas leak in your home or outside of your house.
What to do if you think you have a gas leak
Natural gas leaks can cause all sorts of issues, including being harmful when inhaled and posing a serious risk for fires. If you think the swarming flies outside your house are pointing to a gas leak, you'll want to get everyone in your household away from the area and contact the gas company or emergency services as soon as possible.
Additionally, you'll want to refrain from trying to turn off your gas valves, as this might start a spark that could ignite the gas. It's safest to wait for a professional to find the leak and fix it. Do not flip any electrical switches, turn on any appliances, or use anything that involves a flame or electricity. And if it turns out that a gas leak isn't what's drawing flies to your home, you might want to consider how to naturally keep flies out of your house.