House Fly

House Fly

Identification

House flies are 1/8 to ¼ inch long. They are dull gray with black stripes on the back of their thorax. They have two wings of the same size. The head is dominated by large reddish brown compound eyes which are surrounded by a light gold stripe. They also have sponge like mouthparts. Mature house fly larvae or maggots are spindle shaped and creamy white. House fly larvae are ¼ to 3/8 inch long.

House Fly Maggot

Biology

Female house flies lay their eggs singly but in clusters of 75 to 150 eggs in moist, rotting, fermenting, organic matter including animal manure, accumulated grass clippings, garbage, spilled animal feeds, and soil contaminated with any of the above items. A female may lay more than 500 eggs in a lifetime. The eggs will hatch within a day and the young larvae burrow into the breeding medium and complete development in three days to several weeks depending on the temperature and quality of food materials. The larvae will pupate for three days to four weeks before emerging as adults. Under ideal conditions house flies can complete their entire life cycle in less than seven days.

House Fly Eggs

Habits

Adult house flies will migrate up to 20 miles away, but generally will stay within one to two miles of the breeding site. Adult flies will feed on foods ranging from excrement, dead animals, and human food. They will also feed on liquid foods but can eat some solid foods by liquefying them. During the day house flies rest less than five feet above the ground and at night they rest above this height. They are associated with many filth related diseases and thus are a significant health concern.

The house fly is filthy, dirty and nasty, they have been known to carry on their feet and bodies pathogens that cause diseases. These diseases are anthrax, cholera, hepatitis and leprosy. Salmonellas and Dysentery are other diseases that can be transferred by the house fly.

Control

Inspection should focus on proper identification of the fly. Sanitation and source reduction are the most important steps in house fly control. This will help in the elimination of the larval breeding sites. This will also aid in the reduction of pesticide applications needing to be applied. Mechanical control measures include insect proof garbage containers, self closing doors, screening, caulking and the removal of pet excrement. Also the use of insect light traps indoors and at night is effective in controlling adult flies inside the structure. Sticky traps and other devices are also available. Any insecticide applications should be directed at adults because sanitation and removal are the best control measures for larval breeding sites. Products include baits, aerosols and residual insecticides. Most applications should be made to the daytime and evening resting sites. Treatments need to be made when adults are the most active and there is the least risk of drift and human or animal exposure.

Sanitation/Cleanliness is best preventative
Remove all pet excrement