You wouldn't drop a steak into a steaming pile of garbage and then eat it would you? Well that's basically what happens when a fly lands on anything. Flies are notorious for carrying disease due to their nature. Over 100 pathogens are known to be carried by them. An adult fly spits on their food before ingesting and is only one way for disease to spread.
They feed off of excremement and rotting meat and can go straight to your house from there.
What are Flies?
- There are approximately 122,000 species of known flies in the world!
- These insects are primarily identified by having 1 pair of true wings and a second pair reduced to ‘club-like’ organs called haltares.
- The eggs of all flies hatch into maggot like larvae, which then grow and form cocoons from which the adult flies then emerge.
- Flies are vital pollinators, parasites, predators and decomposers in all kinds of habitats.
- The detailed structure and diversity of the flies is immense. However, we are primarily concerned with the species of flies which are often considered to be pests
- The more common flies considered pests:
Housefly
Blowfly
Filter Fly
Cluster Fly
Fruit Fly
What problems can Flies cause?
- Apart from the biting flies (such as mosquitos), all flies feed by vomiting saliva on to the food surface, treading it in and sucking up the resultant liquid. In the course of doing this, the fly contaminates the food with bacteria from its gut and feet.
- In the course of feeding the fly (primarily the Housefly and Blowfly) can transmit a number of diseases:
food poisoning (e.g.. Campylobacter, Streptococci,
Salmonella, Klebsiella, Chlamydia and so on...)
causing....
dysentery
gastroenteritis
lower respiratory infections
urinary tract infections
and where present in a country (non-US/UK)
typhoid
cholera
tuberculosis
- Biting insects (such as the mosquitos and biting midges) are present in Britain, and although not associated with the diseases more commonly found in the tropics, they can still cause itchy bites with a red swelling around them. In some cases scratching can lead to secondary infections.
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How are Flies controlled?
- Flies are controlled according to the type of fly that is present.
- Houseflies, Blowflies and Fruit Flies require a combination of methods.
A high level of hygiene combined with the prompt disposal of refuse will discourage flies.
Windows can be fitted with fly screens, food should be kept covered. Dustbins should be sited away from windows and kept sealed when not in use.
Fly killer aerosols will kill flies quickly and traps/sticky papers will also help
- Cluster Flies can be treated with Fly killer aerosols.
- Mosquitos/Biting midges can be treated with Fly killer aerosols and repellents can be used on the body or in a room
back to top Want to find out a little more about Houseflies, Blowflies and other species of flies....?
Below are some more details on the types of flies:
-
Houseflies
The Common Housefly and the Lesser Housefly are the most widespread household flies to be found in the UK.
 
Common Housefly Lesser Housefly
The adult Housefly is 7-8 mm long, grey in colour with black stripes on its back. The large compound eyes take up most of the head.
The smaller, Lesser Housefly is the fly that is often seen flying around light fittings abruptly changing directions.
The Housefly will usually complete its life cycle from egg to maggot/pupa to adult in about 1-2 weeks.
Eggs are laid on rotting organic matter in areas such as bins and refuse sites. The maggots usually descend to the soil where they pupate and hatch into adult flies.
Fewer flies are seen in winter due to the adults hibernating or the pupa not hatching until the summer.
Houseflies transmit a wide range of bacteria (see above, what problems can flies cause?).
For their control see above, ‘ How are flies controlled?’
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- Blowflies
Blowflies is the general description given to the Bluebottles and Greenbottles.
Blowfly (Bluebottle)
The adults reach 7-12 mm, and have a shiny green or blue colouring on their body.
They all like sunlight and are attracted to rotting meat, and in some instances animal and human excrement, where they will feed and lay their eggs.
Blowflies transmit a wide range of bacteria (see above, what problems can flies cause?).
For their control see above, ‘How are flies controlled?’
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- Filter Fly
The Filter Flies are tiny dark grey flies, about 2 mm in length.
They are associated with drains and sewers where their maggots play an important role in breaking down organic material.
Filter Flies rarely enter into a building or household.
For their control see above, ‘How are flies controlled?’
- Cluster Flies
Cluster fly
Cluster Flies are dark, greyish flies about 8 mm in length with yellowish hairs on their back.
They can congregate in large numbers, and will often return the following year.
They are primarily considered to be a nuisance.
For their control see above, ‘How are flies controlled?
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- Fruit Fly
The Fruit Flies are small insects (2-3 mm), with prominent red eyes. They usually have a slow, hovering flight and are associated with rotting fruit, vegetables and fermenting liquids.
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