Flies are a small flying insect with two antennae, various mouths, wings and 3 pairs of legs. Fly larvae are very small, white, legless and often worm-like.
A fly infestation in your business or home is not only a nuisance, but it's also dangerous. There are many species of fly we see infesting houses. Non-biting flies such as house flies, fruit flies and cluster flies are known to contaminate your counter tops and food with diseases such as salmonella and E. coli. Flies are one of the most common causes of food poisoning due to food contamination.
No matter what the species, fly infestations spread quickly throughout your home or property. Flies start as eggs which eventually hatch into small, legless larvae also known as maggots. Over time these maggots develop a hard shell and eventually evolve into adult flies. This time this process takes varies on the conditions they're in - the hotter the conditions, the quicker this process takes place. An adult flies life expectancy ranges between eight days to two months depending on the species and living conditions. In some cases, a fly can even live up to a year. Two adult mating flies can produce more than 1 million eggs in as little as eight weeks. For this reason, fly infestations can be difficult to control on your own.
Flies make their way into your home in search for food and warmth. Most fly infestations start with a compost or garbage can. An infested compost bin or garbage can has the potential to produce thousands of flies in a single week.
Fruit flies enjoy decaying fruits, vegetables and tend to be attracted to garbage cans. Drain flies, like their names suggest, prefer to live in and around your drains, sinks, over watered potted plants and other moist areas. Flies such as house flies, dung flies, blow flies and flesh flies are attracted to garbage cans, compost, deceased animals and animal feces. Most species of fly is attracted to warm, well lite areas like your window sills, hence why households with fly infestations tend to find many deceased flies in that area.
More than 100 diseases are known to be spread by a common house fly infestation including typhoid fever, cholera, bacillary dysentery, hepatitis, ophthalmia, polio, tuberculosis and infantile diarrhea. For every fly you see in your home, it's estimated there are another 19 more out of site. If you are concerned that you have a fly problem in your home, we encourage you to contact our fly removal specialists at Pest Kings Wildlife and Pest Control.