Flies are an annoying pest nobody wants at an outside BBQ or picnic. They especially don’t want them invading the kitchen or dinner table. Unfortunately, house flies are a common insect that will welcome themselves into our homes.

House flies have four stages of their short-lived lives. Egg, larval (maggot), pupal, and adult. The time span between egg to adult, with ideal temperatures, is on average 7-10 days.  During colder months they can take up to 2 months to mature. The adult fly, that hasn’t met a flyswatter, can live 3-4 weeks.

Females will lay her eggs on garbage or animal feces. The eggs hatch in less than 24 hours and the larvae emerges. They begin feeding on the matter where the egg was laid. The larvae will mature over the next 4-10 days before cocooning itself for the pupa stage. This stage takes approximately 2-6 days before it emerges as an adult house fly.

Flies are a very unsanitary insect. They can spread bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens resulting in salmonella, shigella, and chlamydia. It’s important to take protective measures when flies are present especially around food. Flies contaminate food and beverages through their feces and vomit.

Flies are attracted to almost anything. Things such as: food, sugar, animal carcasses, feces, garbage, heat, light, fragranced beverages, and spoiled meat. These are just a handful of what attracts flies.

To prevent an infestation, use these helpful tips:

  1. Tightly seal garbage
  2. Keep food and beverages covered or tightly sealed
  3. Clean up animal droppings
  4. Apply, replace, or repair window screens
  5. Repair water leaks
  6. Keep lawn free of debris
  7. Use UV bug lights/zappers or fly strips to eliminate flies and other flying insects
  8. Hire a professional

It’s difficult to know where a fly is going to land and lay her eggs but with the help of Safe Earth Pest Control we can help with preventative measures. Contact us today. We have a plan to fit all your pest control needs. 214-321-2847