They annoy you at picnics, buzz around your kitchen, and sometimes land on your face. House flies can be seriously obnoxious. But if they start breeding in or around your home, they can be more than just a nuisance; house flies can actually pose a health threat.
Flies have short life spans, but they can quickly reproduce in large numbers. Once flies get into your house, they will quickly begin breeding and laying eggs in rotting organic material or garbage cans. Female flies lay between 75 and 150 eggs at a time, in egg sacs about the size of a pea. As you might imagine, those can be almost impossible to discover if you attempt to look for them around the house.
It takes about six days for the eggs to hatch and then develop into adult house flies. Pale, legless larvae feed at the egg site for three to five days, and then seek out a cool, dark, and dry spot in which they develop into pupae. Over the next few days they develop legs and wings, and become fully adult house flies. Then the breeding cycle begins over again. Females will often breed only once, but lay several clutches of between 350 and 900 eggs in her short lifetime. They only live about 15 to 25 days, but certainly leave behind a legacy.
House flies don’t bite, but they can transfer about 100 different pathogens by landing, feeding, and defecating on various substances and surfaces throughout the home. They can spread salmonellosis, typhoid, and tuberculosis, just to name a few. Flies love feeding on animal waste, due to its strong smell… But then they might flit off to land on your sandwich a few minutes later.
You can prevent house flies from moving into your home by cleaning vigilantly, making sure trash is cleared away daily, food isn’t left out to spoil, and litter boxes are scooped. In the yard, you can pick up and dispose of dog waste and clearing away any decaying organic matter that might attract flies. And of course, sealing up entry points to your home is always wise.
But despite your best efforts, sometimes a house fly infestation can occur. Call us for professional pest control services immediately, and we’ll help you eliminate the problem.