Property Management Tip #30 – Mutant Flies Could Mean A Carcass In The Flue

Houseflies come from maggots which mature in rotting flesh.  If you see an unexplained incidence of flies in the house, there is a good chance you've got a rotting carcass in the chimney flue.  Birds and squirrels can get caught in the flue and will eventually die.  You may not even notice any odor, but the flies you see will be huge mutant (about twice the normal size) creatures.  I'm not certain why they are larger than normal, but I've noticed it in several instances over the years.  A chimney sweep can quickly verify if there is something dead in the flue, remove the carcas and recommend a chimney cap that will prevent the problem from happening again.