There are many flies that you can encounter within your dwelling. Despite being a nuisance, many are disease vectors are well. Controlling the problem is of utmost importance to the well being and safety of your family!
House Flies
Color: House flies are mostly dull gray with 4 longitudinal stripes on thorax and velvety stripes on face
Legs: 6
Size: about 3mm
Identifying Characteristics: Females lay eggs in clusters for a total of 75 to 100 per batch with 5 to 6 batches in her lifetime. Depending on conditions, eggs to adult can take as little as 6 days
Characteristics of this insect:
- Most common fly found in the house
- Is not only a nuisance, but a great concern as potential carrier of disease organisms
- Are general feeders being attracter to a wide range of substances from feces to human foods
- Prefer warmer temperatures. On cooler days, they are attracted warmer air being expelled from structures
Flesh Flies
Color: Flesh flies have 3 black and gray longitudinal stripes on the thorax and checkering on the abdomen.
Legs: 6
Size: 6.35mm to 1cm long
Identifying Characteristics: Females lay 325 larvae during their life span and complete their life cycle in 10 to 25 days.
Characteristics of this insect:
- Name comes from the fact that the larvae is developed in spoiling meat and decayed flesh
- Because they develop in fecal matter and garbage, some species are of human health concern
- Females give birth to larvae instead of laying eggs
- Dead rodents, birds, and other small animals can be the source of flies within structures while dog excrement and garbage are the common outdoor source
Bottle Flies
Color: Metallic blue, green, bronze, brassy, or black in whole or part.
Legs: 6
Size: 9mm to 1.5cm long
Identifying Characteristics: Depending on the species females lay about 2,300 eggs during her lifetime and complete their life cycle in 10 or more days.
Characteristics of this insect:
- Of medical importance due to their mechanical transmission of disease organisms and ability to cause and infestation of tissues/cavities in humans and animals
- Most species develop in meat and animal carcasses
- Dead rodents, birds, and other small animals can be the source of flies within structures while dog excrement and garbage are the common outdoor source
- These flies are usually the first insects to arrive to arrive and infest after an animal dies
Fruit Flies
Color: Dull brownish-yellow to brownish-black
Legs: 6
Size: Adults measure 3mm to 5mm
Identifying Characteristics: Red eyes; wings have two “breaks” in the leading edge near body; third antenna segment is oval or long with the outer bristle nearly always feathered
Characteristics of this insect:
- May be seen around decaying or rotting fruits and vegetables. Inside may be seen hovering around: over ripe fruit and vegetables; baked good containing yeast; garbage cans; sweetened beverages including beer
- Fruit flies lay approximately 500 eggs near fermenting fruits and vegetables. Eggs will hatch in about 30 hours
- Newly emerged adults will mate in 2 days. The life cycle is 8 to 10 days at 29 degrees Celsius
- Some species of the fruit or vinegar fly have been responsible for human intestinal myiasis common among workers in grape vineyards
Cluster Flies
Color: Grayish with black patterns and golden hairs
Legs: 6
Size: 6.35mm to 1.27cm
Identifying Characteristics: Cluster flies are known to hibernate or “cluster” in wall voids or attics during colder months.
Characteristics of this insect:
- Cluster flies are named after their habit of grouping together like a cluster. In winter, these flies attempt to enter your home to stay warm during the colder months. They gather near windows to seek warmth from the sun
- Unlike other fly species, they do not breed in your home. They only stay there to seek warmth
- Cluster flies will not damage your home nor carry any harmful diseases to humans. However, they may leave small dark-colored spots of excrement on windows and walls
- Cluster flies can be a problem in particularly sensitive areas such hospital
Drain Flies
Color: Brownish-gray to blackish with fuzzy appearance
Legs: 6
Size: Adults measure around 5.08mm
Identifying Characteristics: Body and wings are densely covered with hairs; antennae are long and fuzzy as well; V-shaped appearance
Characteristics of this insect:
- Fly in short, jerky movements. They are weak fliers and are seen resting or crawling on walls nearby breeding site
- Females lay 30 to 100 eggs in irregular masses on the surface of polluted, shallow water nearby or inside drain pipes. Development time from egg to adult is 7 to 28 days depending on conditions. Adults live about two weeks, but are quickly replaced by others emerging into adulthood
- Troublesome for the owner if present in the drain system. It is possible that the drain/sewage pipe is cracked and these flies are breeding in the moist organic matter as a result of water seepage
- Most active at night. During the day, you may find them in shaded areas by plumbing fixtures or the sides of showers and tubs
Darkwinged Fungus Gnat
Color: grayish-black with smoky colored wings
Legs: 6
Size: Adults grow only to be about 3.18mm. The larvae are slightly larger than the adults at about 6.35mm
Identifying Characteristics: Dark winged fungus gnats are typically found around areas with high humidity. They tend remain low to the ground near soil and plants. These pets can cause problems for greenhouses and mushrooms growers in particular. They can be seen in other areas such as leaky roofs, damp woodwork, compost piles, & decaying mulch
Characteristics of this insect:
- Female fungus gnats lay eggs in soil or other damp, organic plant material. The eggs hatch into larvae. Some species of this gnat feed on fungus in overwatered soil. Some feed on plant roots. This can diminish the health of the plants and can lead to stunted growth. The gnat larvae can also carry plant pathogens which may put some plants at risk of various plant disease
- The larval stage typically lasts 6 to 8 days. After they pupate in the soil, adults merge about 3 days later
- The key to controlling fungus gnats is finding and eliminating all of the breeding sources. All potential sources must be examined with attention to damp areas that will support fungal growth
- For indoor areas, it may be useful to improve the ventilation, install a dehumidifier, or turn on air conditioning. For outdoor areas, consider turning over the top 2-3 inches of mulch or soil to speed the drying process
Click the fly and we’re there!
These Flies Will Cry When They See How
They Fry
Say bye-bye fly ’cause you’re going to the sky!