Flies: Facts, Identification & Control
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- Written by Intex pest ltd
- Category: flies
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Fly Breeding
Flies have been a nuisance insect for thousands of years. They affect human welfare because they can transmit diseases. Flies such as the common house fly are classified as filth flies because they breed in rotten food, manure, and garbage. A fly can mature from egg to adult in as few as ten days. This quick maturity can cause a severe fly problem in a short period of time. Getting rid of flies long term begins with proper sanitation and exclusion. To kill the existing fly population insecticides are used. The insecticides come in residual forms, aerosols, fogging materials, and baits. Fly Lights with distinctive UV spectrums are also popular for attracting flies and trapping them. Fly lights are most popular in commercial establishments because they work well. We also carry fly glue traps.
An effective fly control program begins with sanitation and exclusion management. After sanitation and exclusion, we carry a wide assortment of insecticides that come in residual forms, aerosols, fogging materials, and baiting forms. Fly Lights with distinctive UV spectrums attract flies and traps them. These are popular in commercial establishments. We also carry fly glue traps.
Sanitation & Fly Control
Sanitation is critical in a good fly management program. The goal in sanitation is to remove or prevent any medium where fly larvae will develop. It's also important to remove things that are attractive to adult flies such as garbage and animal waste. Moisture is a critical factor in any fly breeding material. Good drainage is also important, where possible.
- Keep garbage cans and dumpsters clean. Our Bio, all natural product, can used to spray on left over organic debris in dumpsters. Soldier Fly larvae are commonly found around dumpsters and garbage cans. Keep tight lids on the garbage cans. Flies are attracted to odors. Keep garbage cans as far away from doors as possible to keep them from moving into the structure.
- Repair window screens and doors. Openings to buildings should be tightly screened with mesh screens. Where doors must be kept open for customers, trucks, etc., outfit the doors with air curtains. Air curtains can prevent fly entry if the velocity is 1,600 feet per minute or higher.
- Pick up pet waste in the yard. Flies love to breed and lay eggs on this material because of the moisture content.
- In home kitchens, restaurants and commercial kitchens, drain flies can become a problem. We excellent products to treat home drains and restaurant drains. This all natural products are made of microbes that actually eat the left over scum in the drains.
- Dead rodents and birds can increase a fly problem. Remove the carcasses, because flies lay eggs on decomposing rodents and fowl. The eggs become maggots (larvae) and the maggots become adult flies.
- Do not over water indoor potted plants. The soaked soil will provide a perfect breeding area for gnats. Keep the pots well drained.
- Keep outdoor areas cleaned. Clean away any soiled bedding, decaying plant, straw animal matter.
General House Fly Control Management
You can use insecticide liquid concentrates, insecticide dusts, pyrethrin aerosols, fly light traps, fogging materials, fly baits, and fly traps for the outside. For more information, House Flies, look at the various options.
Click on the various links below (Filth Flies, Small Flies, and Nuisance/Biting Flies) for more fly control information.
Filth Flies
House Fly, Blow Fly and Bottle Fly, Soldier Fly, Flesh Fly
 How To Get Rid Of House Flies |
 How To Get Rid Of Blow/Bottle Flies |
 How To Get Rid Of Soldier Flies |
 How To Get Rid Of Flesh Flies |
"Filth flies" such as the house fly can be nuisance pests, but may be potentially harmful to humans and animals. The habits of filth flies favor the spread of bacteria and other disease-causing organisms. Filth flies not only feed and lay eggs on garbage, manure and carrion. They may contaminate human foods and food prep areas when landing on these areas. House flies, for example, can spread diseases such as food poisoning and dysentery.
Small Flies
Fruit Fly, Phorid Fly, Moth Fly, Sphaerocerid Fly, Fungus Gnats and Cheese Skippers
Many small flies(<1/4"th) are found in food prep areas and may carry disease causing organisms.
The six fly spiecies listed below, are the most common of small flies.
 Fruit Fly |
 Phorid Fly |
 Moth Fly (Drain Fly) |
 Sphaerocerid Flies |
 Fungus Gnats |
 Cheese Skipper |
Nuisance and Biting Flies
Cluster Fly, Face Fly, Stable Fly and Mosquitoes
Many commonly found flies found around the home are a nuisance and or bite. As with many flies, these flies breed on decaying organic matter and animal wastes. They may transmit bacteria and viruses to humans. Flies such as stable flies or horse flies (sometimes called "biting flies") feed on mammalian blood and can give a painful bite.
 Cluster Fly |
 Face Fly |
 Stable Flies |
Flesh Fly |
More than 100 pathogens are associated with the house fly, including Salmonella, Staphylococcus, E. coli and Shigella. These pathogens can cause disease in humans and animals, including typhoid fever, cholera, bacillary dysentery and hepatitis. Sanitation is critical to controlling these pests, but accurate identification is essential for successful fly control. Here are some other things you should know about flies and fly control:
Depending on the species, the life expectancy of a fly is eight days to two months or, in some cases, up to a year.
Flies belong to the order Diptera, meaning two wings. There are more than 16,000 species of flies in the world.
Flies plague every part of the world except the polar ice caps.
One pair of flies can produce more than 1 million offspring through their offsprings’ offspring in a matter of weeks.
Millions of microorganisms may flourish in a single fly’s gut, while a half-billion more swarm over its body and legs.
Flies spread diseases readily because they move quickly from rotting, disease-laden garbage to exposed human foods and utensils.
Because they only have two wings, flies land often and therefore can deposit thousands of bacteria each time they land.
Expert sources reveal that flies contaminate or destroy billions worth of agricultural products annually.
Every time a fly lands, it sloughs off thousands of microbes. If a fly lands on food or utensils, customers may ingest germs that can trigger serious illness such as diarrhea, food poisoning, meningitis and bloodstream infections.
When flies feed on waste, they collect pathogens on their legs and mouths. These pathogens are then transferred to food on tables or counters when a fly lands again. Flies regurgitate on solid food then they eat the liquid. They are capable of transmitting disease when they vomit, groom themselves or just walk on surfaces.
The best way to repel flies is through simple, preventive measures. Flies prefer warm temperatures and are most active from late spring to early autumn. In order to best repel flies during this time, limit access to your home as much as possible, keeping doors and windows closed. You may also choose to screen windows, doors and vents. Keep garbage cans clean and securely closed. Keeping surfaces clean will make your home less appealing to flies. For best results, contact a pest control professional to discuss extermination options.