Types of Flies (Guide)

Flies are a common pest around the world, with over 120,000 known species globally. In North America alone, there are approximately 18,000 species. Flies have short lifespans but can reproduce quickly and in large numbers. They can also transmit various dangerous diseases, including malaria, salmonella, and tuberculosis.

Key Takeaways:

• There are over 120,000 species of flies globally, with approximately 18,000 species in North America.
• Flies have short lifespans but can reproduce quickly and in large numbers.
• Flies can transmit diseases such as malaria, salmonella, and tuberculosis.

Where do flies come from?

Flies can be a nuisance when they infest our homes, but have you ever wondered where they come from in the first place? Understanding the origin and breeding grounds of flies is essential for effective control and prevention strategies.

Flies typically originate from outside the home. They hatch from eggs laid in various breeding sites, such as garbage cans, compost piles, excrement, and rotting organic material. Female flies can lay a significant number of eggs at once, making them difficult to detect. These eggs eventually hatch into larvae, pupae, and finally adult flies. As flies mature, they become more active and seek entry into homes through structural weak spots like damaged weather stripping or torn screens.

It’s important to note that different fly species have specific breeding habits and preferred environments. For example, houseflies are widespread due to their rapid reproduction and ability to move up to 20 miles from their birthplace. Fruit flies, on the other hand, may enter homes as hitchhikers on produce, while horse flies do not feed indoors but may accidentally find their way inside through open windows.

Table: Common Entry Points for Flies

To minimize fly infestations, it’s crucial to address potential entry points and eliminate breeding grounds. Regularly inspecting and repairing damaged screens, weather stripping, and other structural weaknesses can help prevent flies from entering your home. Additionally, practicing good sanitation and proper waste management, such as tightly sealing garbage cans and removing any decaying organic matter around the property, can significantly reduce fly breeding grounds.

By understanding where flies come from, you can take proactive measures to keep them out of your home. Remember, prevention is key to avoiding fly infestations and the potential health risks they pose.

House Fly

The house fly is a common pest that can be found in and around homes. Understanding its characteristics, lifecycle, and feeding habits is essential for effective fly control and prevention.

Characteristics: House flies are typically gray in color with four black stripes on their thorax. They have a pair of wings which allow them to fly quickly. Unlike other flying insects, house flies do not have teeth or a stinger.

Lifecycle: House flies undergo a complete metamorphosis, consisting of four stages – egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Female house flies lay eggs in decaying organic matter, such as garbage, animal waste, or compost piles. The eggs hatch into larvae, commonly known as maggots, which feed and grow rapidly. After the larval stage, the maggots transform into pupae, and eventually emerge as adult flies. The entire lifecycle can be completed in as little as 7-10 days, depending on environmental conditions.

House Fly Feeding Habits

• House flies are attracted to a wide variety of food sources, including human food, animal carcasses, and garbage.
• They have sponge-like mouthparts that allow them to feed on liquid substances, such as saliva, regurgitated food, or decaying matter.
• House flies can also excrete saliva or digestive enzymes on solid food to liquefy it before ingesting.

Diseases Transmitted by House Flies

House flies are notorious for their potential to transmit various diseases and pathogens. As they feed on contaminated substances, they pick up pathogens on their bodies and mouthparts, which can then be transferred to surfaces or food. Some of the diseases that house flies can transmit include:

1. Salmonellosis: a bacterial infection causing symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
2. Tuberculosis: a bacterial infection affecting the lungs, causing coughing, chest pain, and weakness.
3. Dysentery: an intestinal infection leading to severe diarrhea, often accompanied by blood or mucus.
4. Cholera: a bacterial infection causing severe watery diarrhea and dehydration.
5. Shigellosis: an intestinal infection causing fever, abdominal pain, and bloody diarrhea.

Preventing house fly infestations and minimizing the risk of disease transmission involves proper sanitation and hygiene practices. Keeping garbage tightly sealed, cleaning up spills and food residues promptly, and installing screens on windows and doors can help reduce fly populations and protect against their harmful effects.

Fruit Fly

Fruit flies are small flies, usually around 3 to 4 mm long, with brown or tan bodies and red eyes. They are attracted to rotting fruits and vegetables, as well as fermenting liquids. Female fruit flies can lay up to 500 eggs at a time, which hatch within 24 hours. Fruit flies have a short lifespan of 25 to 30 days but can reproduce rapidly. They are considered a nuisance pest and can contaminate food with harmful bacteria and pathogens.

Fruit flies are known for their ability to infest bananas, apples, and other fruits. They are attracted to the sweet smell and fermenting juices of these ripe fruits. Once they find a suitable food source, the female fruit fly lays her eggs on the surface. These eggs quickly hatch into tiny larvae, known as maggots, which feed on the decaying fruit. As the maggots grow, they eventually transform into pupae and then emerge as adult fruit flies. This lifecycle can occur within a matter of days, allowing fruit fly populations to multiply rapidly.

The presence of fruit flies in the kitchen or pantry can have a significant impact on food. Not only do they pose a hygiene issue by contaminating food with bacteria, but their small size and ability to fly make them difficult to control. Fruit flies can quickly infest a variety of foods, including fresh produce, juice, vinegar, and even opened bottles of wine. To prevent fruit fly infestations, it is important to store fruits and vegetables properly, ensure garbage cans are tightly sealed, and maintain clean and dry kitchen surfaces.

Quotes:

“Fruit flies can be a persistent annoyance in the kitchen, especially during the warmer months. Their ability to reproduce quickly and infest a wide range of food sources makes them a common pest.” – Pest Control Expert

“The best way to prevent fruit fly infestations is to eliminate their breeding sites and practice proper food storage. Regularly clean your kitchen, dispose of overripe fruits, and keep garbage cans tightly sealed.” – Homeowner

Table: Comparison of Fruit Flies and House Flies

Horse Fly

Horse flies are a type of fly known for their painful bites and annoying presence. They are typically found near bodies of water and grasslands, as these habitats provide suitable conditions for their development and breeding. Horse flies have gray or black bodies, large eyes, and six legs. Their appearance is often described as robust and intimidating.

Horse Fly Feeding Habits

Horse flies are hematophagous, meaning they feed on blood. Female horse flies require a blood meal in order to reproduce, while males feed on pollen and plant nectar. Their primary targets for blood meals are large animals, such as horses, cattle, and other livestock. However, they can also bite humans and smaller animals, causing pain, irritation, and potential allergic reactions.

Horse Fly Habitats

Horse flies thrive in environments that provide suitable breeding sites and hosts for their blood meals. They are commonly found near bodies of water, including lakes, rivers, and swamps, as these areas offer ideal conditions for their larvae to develop. Horse flies are also prevalent in grassy areas, such as meadows and pastures, where they wait for potential hosts to pass by.

Horse Fly Bites

Horse fly bites can be extremely painful and leave behind welts or swollen areas on the skin. The bites are designed to create a small wound that the fly can feed on. In addition to the pain, horse fly bites can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, leading to symptoms such as itching, redness, and inflammation. It is important to take precautions to prevent horse fly bites, such as wearing protective clothing and using insect repellents when spending time in areas where horse flies are prevalent.

Filth Fly Species

Filth flies are a group of fly species that are attracted to decaying organic matter. They include house flies, drain flies, blow flies, and phorid flies, among others. These flies are commonly found in areas where there is rotting food, garbage, and animal waste, making them a potential health hazard. Understanding the characteristics and behavior of filth flies is essential for effective control and prevention.

Filth flies are generally small to medium-sized flies with a distinctive appearance. House flies, for example, are gray in color with four black stripes on their thorax. Drain flies are tiny, with fuzzy moth-like wings and a “humpbacked” appearance. Blow flies, on the other hand, have a metallic blue or green color. Each type of filth fly has its own unique characteristics that help in identification.

The breeding sites of filth flies are typically places where organic matter is decomposing. House flies, for instance, lay their eggs in rotting food, animal feces, and garbage. Drain flies breed in drains, leaking sewers, and standing water that contains decomposing organic matter. Blow flies are often attracted to dead animals and carcasses. By identifying and eliminating these breeding sites, it is possible to reduce the population of filth flies and minimize the risk of disease transmission.

Filth Fly Characteristics

Controlling filth flies involves proper sanitation and waste management practices. Keeping garbage containers tightly sealed, cleaning up food spills promptly, and regularly emptying and cleaning drains can help prevent filth fly infestations. In cases where the fly population is already established, professional pest control services may be necessary to effectively eliminate the flies and their breeding sites.

Little House Flies

Little house flies, also known as lesser house flies, share a similar appearance to common house flies. They are small in size, typically measuring around 6 to 9 mm in length. These flies are often found indoors, particularly in areas where food is prepared or consumed. Little house flies are attracted to rotting animal carcasses, feces, and garbage, which serve as common breeding sites for them. Their ability to breed in such unsanitary environments makes them a potential health risk for humans.

These flies can carry harmful bacteria and pathogens, including E. coli and salmonella, which can contaminate surfaces and food. As little house flies come into contact with these sources, they can transfer the pathogens onto our belongings and potentially cause infections or illnesses. It is crucial to maintain cleanliness, proper waste disposal, and good sanitation practices to prevent the infestation and proliferation of little house flies.

To mitigate the dangers posed by these flies, homeowners should regularly clean and disinfect areas where food is prepared or consumed. Seal trash cans and eliminate any standing water sources that may attract and facilitate breeding. Additionally, repairing any structural vulnerabilities, such as damaged screens or gaps in windows and doors, can help prevent the entry of little house flies into homes.

In conclusion, little house flies are small pests that can pose health risks due to their ability to carry and transmit harmful pathogens. By implementing effective sanitation measures and practicing proper waste management, homeowners can reduce the breeding and presence of little house flies, thus minimizing the associated dangers.

Bluebottle Fly: Characteristics, Life Cycle, Feeding Habits, and Diseases Carried

The bluebottle fly, also known as the blow fly, is a common insect attracted to decaying food, dead animals, and pet feces. They play a vital role in nature by helping to break down organic matter, but they can also pose risks to humans and animals. Understanding the characteristics, life cycle, feeding habits, and diseases carried by bluebottle flies is essential for effective pest control.

Bluebottle Fly Characteristics

The bluebottle fly is characterized by its metallic blue or green body and robust size, typically measuring around 8 to 12 millimeters in length. They have large, red compound eyes, short antennae, and a pair of transparent wings. Additionally, bluebottle flies have sponge-like mouthparts, enabling them to feed on liquids and semi-liquids. These distinctive features make them easily recognizable among other fly species.

Bluebottle Fly Life Cycle

Like other flies, the bluebottle fly undergoes a complete metamorphosis, consisting of four stages: egg, larva (maggot), pupa, and adult. Female bluebottle flies lay their eggs on decaying organic matter, such as animal carcasses or rotting food. Within a few hours, the eggs hatch into tiny, legless maggots that feed voraciously on the organic material. After several days, the maggots find a suitable location to pupate and transform into their adult form. The emergence of adult bluebottle flies marks the completion of their life cycle.

Bluebottle Fly Feeding Habits

Bluebottle flies are primarily attracted to decaying matter and excrement, which serves as their primary food source. They use their sponge-like mouthparts to soak up liquid nutrients from these sources. While they do not pose a direct threat to humans or animals through biting or stinging, their feeding habits can contaminate food and transmit disease-causing pathogens. It is crucial to prevent bluebottle fly infestations in homes and food preparation areas to minimize these risks.

Diseases Carried by Bluebottle Flies

Bluebottle flies are known carriers of several diseases, including typhoid, tuberculosis, and E. coli. As they feed on decaying organic matter and come into contact with pathogens, they can transfer these microorganisms to other surfaces, including human food and utensils. Consuming food contaminated by bluebottle flies can lead to food poisoning and the spread of infectious diseases. Therefore, it is important to practice good hygiene and proper sanitation to reduce the risk of disease transmission.

Cluster Fly

Cluster flies, also known as attic flies, are a common nuisance pest that can be found in large numbers during the winter months. These flies are harmless to humans and animals, but their presence can indicate potential entry points or the presence of animal carcasses in the attic or walls.

Cluster flies behave differently from other fly species. Rather than feeding or reproducing indoors, they seek shelter in homes to hibernate during the colder seasons. It is common to find cluster flies clustering together in large groups in attics or other protected areas. Once the weather warms up, they will emerge and leave the premises.

Preventing a cluster fly infestation requires addressing the potential entry points. Ensuring that windows, doors, and other openings are properly sealed can help prevent these flies from entering. Proper insulation and maintenance of the attic can also help eliminate potential shelter areas. If an infestation is already present, professional pest control services may be necessary to effectively remove the flies and prevent future infestations.

Cluster Fly Infestation Prevention Tips:

• Seal any cracks or gaps in windows, doors, and other potential entry points.
• Repair damage to screens and weather stripping.
• Ensure proper attic insulation and ventilation.
• Keep attics clean and free of animal carcasses or decaying organic material.
• Consider using insecticides or traps as a preventive measure.
• Consult with a professional pest control service for effective cluster fly control.

By following these prevention tips and taking prompt action at the first signs of a cluster fly infestation, homeowners can effectively manage and control these pesky insects.

Drain Fly

Drain flies, also known as sewage flies or moth flies, are persistent insects associated with damp and unsanitary conditions. They are small, measuring only about 1.5 to 5 mm in length, and have a fuzzy appearance. Drain flies can be identified by their wings, which are covered in dense hair-like structures. These flies are usually gray or brown in color.

The lifecycle of a drain fly consists of four stages: egg, larvae, pupae, and adult. Female drain flies lay their eggs in moist areas or standing water, such as drains, sewers, and septic tanks. The eggs hatch into larvae, which feed on organic matter found in drains and sewage systems. After the larval stage, drain flies enter the pupae stage, where they develop into adults. The entire lifecycle of a drain fly can take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, depending on environmental conditions.

Common breeding sites for drain flies include drains, leaking sewers, compost, and septic tanks. These areas provide the necessary moisture and organic matter for their larvae to thrive. To control drain fly populations, it is essential to eliminate their breeding sources. Regularly cleaning and disinfecting drains, repairing any leaks, and maintaining proper sanitation practices can help prevent and reduce drain fly infestations.

Drain Fly Control:

• Inspect and clean drains regularly to remove any buildup of organic matter.
• Repair any leaks or damaged pipes to eliminate sources of standing water.
• Use drain cleaners or biological drain treatments to break down organic matter and prevent drain fly larvae from developing.
• Ensure proper ventilation in areas with high humidity to discourage drain fly infestations.
• Seal cracks and gaps around pipes and drains to prevent drain flies from entering your home.
• Consult a professional pest control company for more extensive infestations or recurring drain fly problems.

By following these prevention and control measures, you can effectively manage drain fly populations and ensure a sanitary environment in your home or business.

Conclusion

Flies are a common pest that can have a significant impact on our lives. With over 120,000 known species globally, it’s essential to understand the different types of flies and their behaviors to effectively prevent and control infestations.

By implementing proper sanitation and waste management practices, we can reduce fly populations and minimize the health risks associated with them. Regularly cleaning garbage cans, disposing of rotting organic material, and sealing structural weak spots can help prevent flies from entering our homes.

Flies not only pose a nuisance but also pose a threat as vectors for various diseases, including malaria, salmonella, and tuberculosis. By taking proactive measures to eliminate breeding sources and implement fly control methods, we can protect ourselves and our families from these fly-borne diseases.

Remember, flies are more than just bothersome pests. They are carriers of harmful pathogens that can contaminate our food and surroundings. By staying informed and practicing effective fly prevention and control, we can create a healthier and safer living environment for everyone.