The house fly is the most common fly species that you will find in a home infestation. It is distributed all over the world and the US. This insect is not only a nuisance, but also a dangerous pest that carries serious diseases. A house fly has a short life span, but the insects can reproduce rapidly and in large numbers, leading to big populations inside the home if the infestation is not controlled effectively.

Appearance

The house fly is usually grey in coloration with four black stripes on its body. It can reach ¼” in length, with a slightly fuzzy body, one pair of wings, and big red eyes. The female housefly is usually larger than the male, and this species is not able to bite or sting a person. The eggs of the house fly look like tiny grains of rice, and they hatch into maggots that can reach ⅜” in length. The maggots have a cream coloration and you can almost notice a greasy sheen on their bodies. Before becoming flies, the maggots go into the pupal stage, where they develop a hard outer shell.

Prevention

Like most pests, flies will use any small gaps to gain entry into the home. They will be attracted by odors and they can sense air currents and temperature differences, being drawn to warm air currents to areas that have a temperature of about 83 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is ideal for them, so they will seek it out either when it’s too cold outside, or when it’s too warm.

Control

Getting rid of a fly here and there is easy, with plenty of effective products being available in various stores. However, if you are dealing with a full blown infestation, you will need the help of a pro to get rid of it. Most flies will create breeding sites outdoors, but there are situations in which they will create them inside of the home as well. A pest control specialist will be able to find these sites and thoroughly clean them out. With the nesting sites out of the way, the specialist will start to take care of the remaining adult flies. The treatment plan will vary based on your specific circumstances and it will be tailored to meet the necessity of your particular situation. If you would like to know more about this process or schedule a pest control appointment, contact us today.