Of the five most serious diseases in the world, flies, including mosquitoes, spread the organisms that are responsible for four: Malaria, sleeping sickness, Leishmaniasis and filariasis. They also are responsible for yellow fever, typhoid, and various diarrhea illnesses.

General biology and behavior

• Flies, the order Diptera, are one of the largest and most dynamic orders of insects.
• This vast order is characterized by having only one pair of wings. Most flies are also small, soft bodied; often, two large eyes that cover the front of the head.
• Flies can be divided into two groups; distinguishing differences center around the appearance of the larvae and adults:

Group 1
The adults are small — gnat or mosquito-like with long antennae and slender legs. Larvae have head capsules and most live in water or moist soil.

Group 2

The adults have stout bodies; their antennae are short or not visible; some are relatively large but usually not long legged. Larvae do not have discernible heads and are often maggot-like. Their harborage varies — they live in water, filth, soil, carcasses, plant tissues or animal tissues.
All dull gray flies about l/4 inch long found inside or even near structures will likely be called House flies. If the identification is incorrect, it probably is not far wrong.
Flies often tell the same story: they frequent garbage, dead animals and manure. Their larvae live in that material. To enter a house, they have flown inside through an open door or window, or they have moved from a dead bird or rodent in a wall.

The Face fly (Musca autumnalis) that lives on fresh cattle manure, are about l/4 inch long. They have a dull-gray thorax with dark stripes and a dark, dull abdomen with yellow sides

Flesh flies (the family Sarcophagidae) live on meat scraps, dead animals and dog excrement; they are more than l/4 inch long, have a dull-gray thorax with three distinct dark stripes and a gray checkerboard abdomen.

Blow flies (the family Calliphoridae) are about l/4 inch long. Their thorax and abdomen are shiny black, metallic green or bronze, or they have a metallic blue abdomen with a dull thorax. They live on dead animals, meat scraps in garbage, and wet mixed garbage.

The Cluster fly (Pollenia rudis) is also in the family Calliphoridae. It is slightly more than l/4 inch long. Its thorax is covered with gray or yellowish hairs; it has no stripes, Its abdomen is dark gray with light patches.

Prevention, treatment & proofing

Inspection

When any of these flies become problems inside, their breeding site and their larvae will usually be close by. If animals are nearby, investigate for manure concentrations.
Garbage cans and dumpsters are often the problem source; even soil where garbage has decomposed will support infestations.
• House flies infest most garbage, manure (horses, cattle, poultry, pet), filth accumulations.
• Face flies need fresh cattle manure for egg laying.
• Flesh flies, like blow flies, live in pet manure, meat scraps in garbage, and dead animals.
• Blow flies are scavengers and live in manure, carrion, dead birds and rodents in wall voids and chimneys. One Blow fly, called the Cluster fly, parasitizes earthworms.

Habitat Alteration

Caulk and tighten around all openings such as screens, doors, windows, ventilators, and eves

Remove breeding materials such as garbage and manure.

Clean garbage cans and dumpsters regularly, and any fresh overflow immediately.

Clean food delivery spills immediately and keep loading docks clean.

Drain wet areas around garbage collection sites.

Install air curtains where doors remain open for deliveries and install automatic door closer.

Replace white security lights inside and outside with yellow lights.

Pesticide Application

Fly strips can be placed in low access rooms, such as attics and storerooms

Fly bait can eliminate adult flies when methods are in place that reduce breeding sites

Electric fly traps will control only a low level of adult flies. [Watch these traps to see what kinds of flies are being caught.]

Clean food delivery spills immediately and keep loading docks clean.

Do not place black-light fly traps where they will attract insects from outside; Do not put them in competition with other lights such as those from vending machines.

Aerosol contact sprays can be used to knock down adult flies after elimination of breeding sites and exclusion methods are in effect.

Ultra-low dosage applications of non-residual pesticides can be used if an adult infestation must be quickly reduced outside.

Ultimate Pest Control Services

Houseflies & their relatives