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House Fly

Musca domestica

The house fly is found abundantly throughout the world and has been known to aid in the spread of disease and food infections from bacteria. It got its name from its common occurrence in homes, particularly during more rural times when horses and livestock were common around homes and used as transportation.

Adult house flies are only about 5 or 6 mm long, and are distinguished by the pattern of wing veins, the 4 dark longitudinal stripes on the top of the thorax. Male house flies have yellow on the sides of the abdomen. The wings have a distinct 90 degree upward bend in the middle vein as it nears the outer end of the wing. Larva is typically white, legless maggots. The pupa is a seamless, brown, egg shape.

Females can lay 350 to 900 eggs in their lifetime. The progression from egg to adult fly can be completed in less that one week under warm, moist conditions. Adults can live up to 54 days and females can mate and reproduce many times in her life cycle.

Breeding sites are generally found in moist, decomposing organic material such as accumulated lawn clippings, animal waste, dirty garbage containers, and decomposing plant materials. Larva will typically leave thea food source to seek a drier location to pupate.

Sanitation issues should be considered when trying to gain control. Removing or relocating decomposing organic materials, garbage receptacles, animal waste, etc from the immediate area of the home can help with control. There are several do-it-yourself remedies available from aerosols to sticky fly strips. If you are unable to gain control using these methods, a call to Long Pest Control can develop an Integrated Pest Management program to eliminate sightings and provide an environment free of unwanted pests year round.