What is a House fly?
House fly, scientifically named Musca domestica (meaning “house fly”), is one of the most common and abundant of the pesky flies. Adult House flies are up to ¼” long. A unique identifiable physical feature are the four dark stripes on top of the grey thorax or middle section of the House fly.
Where do House flies lay eggs?
How long do House flies live?
Do House flies bite?
How to kill House flies?
- Eliminate garbage: Ensure that all garbage and rich organic materials (such as dog feces) are routinely removed. These are areas where House flies lay eggs and feed.
- Maintain dumpsters, garbage receptacles, and recycle bins: Keep dumpsters, garbage cans, and recycle bins clean and in good condition. Position dumpsters at least 50 feet from, and upwind of, the building. These practices minimize House fly attraction, feeding, and reproduction.
- Secure storage: Store garbage in well-sealed containers to keep female House flies out of potential reproductive materials.
- Use screens: Install and maintain window and door screens to restrict House fly entry into homes and businesses.
- Install air curtains: Install and maintain air curtains with appropriate air-velocities. These are 3 meters/second for service doors and drive-through-windows and 9 meters/second for overhead doors. House flies can fly 4.5 mph, so air curtains prevent them from entering buildings.
- Use light traps: Install numerous light traps to both monitor and control House fly populations.
- Other methods: Labeler use of insecticides, fly swatters, and sticky traps can be used to kill and control House flies.
House flies are notorious for moving filth and pathogens, contaminating food and food preparation surfaces. Contamination that causes foodborne illnesses. Knowing a few details about House fly habits can help take them from annoyance to understanding. For an even better understanding of House fly habits and control, connect with PestWest at 941.358.1983 or drop a line at customerservice@pestwest.com.
Lesser Housefly
Fannia canicularis
Features
Grey thorax with three indistinct longitudal stripes. Abdomen has extensive area of yellow at base.
Control
PestWest sticky traps and fly killers are effective at controlling the lesser housefly.
Please click on the image to download “Fly ID”
