House flies are one of the most annoying, unwanted pests found in our homes. Their buzzing is distracting and they’re a constant irritation flying around us and our food. Plus, they also cause a health hazard as certain species carry diseases such as cholera, dysentery and salmonella.
Some species are more common than others, and knowing a little more about different flies can help you to find the right method of prevention.
We as a pest control company in East London have a guide to help you.
Contents
House Flies
One of the most common species of fly, house flies infests all types of properties and are major carriers of disease.
Adult house flies are approximately 5–8mm in length, and grey with a yellowish abdomen. They’re attracted to all sorts of food – human food, pet food, food waste, and even faeces. They lay eggs in faeces or rotting food, which emerge to become maggots with a pointed head.
Flesh Flies
Flesh flies are larger and can be up to 15mm long. They have a distinctive black and white checked pattern on their bodies, with reddish eyes.
They feed on carrion and dung, where they also lay their eggs. Some species also lay eggs in rotting flesh, hence their name.
Blow Flies
Often referred to as bluebottles due to their distinctive iridescent colours, blow flies are between 6–12mm long and metallic blue-green in colour with bristly bodies.
They’re especially attracted to faeces and dead animals, making them a carrier of nasty diseases. They breed in meat-derived substances, and sometimes cheese.
Cluster Flies
Cluster flies are a similar size to blow flies, but dark brown with golden hairs on their body.
They hibernate in warm, dark places over the winter, such as attics and wall voids. They can be a nuisance in spring when they come out of hibernation, ending up in sunny windows and conservatories as they find their way back outside.
While they are a nuisance, they pose no health risk to humans and breed in soil.
Fruit Flies
Fruit flies are only 3mm in length, and a mottled yellow-brown in colour with reddish eyes.
True to their name, they can be found around fruit, making them a pest in the home and in pub beer gardens where they’re attracted to the beer. They like to breed in rotting fruit.
Phorid Flies
These tiny flies are only 3mm in length, with a humped back. They multiply in huge numbers, and their favourite breeding grounds are fruit, dirty garbage and rotten vegetables.
Moth and Drain Flies
From the family of filter flies, moth and drain flies are only 2mm in length with a grey-tan coloured body.
Often associated with sewage beds, these flies feed on the gelatinous material found in sink drains, traps and sewers, as well as decomposing food.
Midges
Midges and mosquitoes are an annoying nuisance in the summer months, especially around water supplies. They lay their eggs in stagnant water, and quickly develop into adults.
They love to bite humans, causing nasty, itching little bumps.
If you have a problem with flies in your home, call a professional pest control expert who will help to identify and eradicate your pest.
