Flies

You know it all too well. That annoying buzzing and the zippy little black housefly you just can’t seem to get rid of. Flies are an incredibly common pest in homes across the country. There are several different species of fly; the most well-known being the house fly, or Musca domestica. All flies are part of the order of insects called Diptera. The house fly is roughly ¼ inch long, with two clear wings and four dark stripes running down its body. Another unique aspect of the fly is that in addition to a pair of wings, they also have two halteres. These are appendage-like structures extended outward from the base of the body that help flies with balance. Flies go through a four-step life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The life cycle can take anywhere from 7 to 10 days to complete, depending on the temperature and season, with most activity occurring in the summer.

Flies thrive in moist and dirty areas

These are their preferred breeding grounds. Farms and ranches have fly infestation issues especially often because of the amount of animal manure that may be present. Just one or two rogue flies might be a minor annoyance, but what about when there are many invading your home? When the flies grow in numbers, it’s time to take action. A fly infestation poses health concerns because once they’ve infested your home, they can begin to lay eggs everywhere – not just in raw food and garbage. A large number of flies is a threat because they may carry diseases. Possible signs of a fly infestation include: flies swarming together, hearing loud buzzing coming from corners, garages or closets, and a rotting smell.

Flies thrive in moist and dirty areas

These are their preferred breeding grounds. Farms and ranches have fly infestation issues especially often because of the amount of animal manure that may be present. Just one or two rogue flies might be a minor annoyance, but what about when there are many invading your home? When the flies grow in numbers, it’s time to take action. A fly infestation poses health concerns because once they’ve infested your home, they can begin to lay eggs everywhere – not just in raw food and garbage. A large number of flies is a threat because they may carry diseases. Possible signs of a fly infestation include: flies swarming together, hearing loud buzzing coming from corners, garages or closets, and a rotting smell.