Different types of flies and why they are dangerous

Certain times of year seem to correlate with infestations of certain types of pests. However, it seems like flies can suddenly appear in your house almost year-round, and often, at times when you wouldn’t expect the fly population to be thriving.

In this blog post, we are going to go over some of the different types of flies that infest residential properties, and what can be done about these annoying pests.

Why worry about flies?

Aside from the annoying buzzing and landing on you or your food, flies are actually dangerous spreaders of disease. Because they feed on dead, decomposing, or decaying matter of all types, flies have been known to spread diseases like dysentery, E. Coli, cholera, and typhoid fever.

Contamination from flies can also cause food poisoning which causes people to have symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting. Studies have shown that a single fly can carry millions of bacteria on their body and hundreds of millions inside of their stomachs. Doesn’t sound like something you want to have landing on your plate now does it?

Types of flies

• House Fly – One of the most common types of flies, known to lay eggs in decaying organic matter and rotting plants, frequently found hanging around on animal feces.
• Stable Fly – These flies actually feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals including humans! Their eggs are also laid in decaying vegetation.
• Cluster Fly – These flies do not breed indoors, but as outside temperatures drop they tend to make their way inside of homes and buildings. Beware of these nuisances invading attics and crawl spaces during the winter months.
• Fruit Fly – These flies are easily distinguishable due to their diminutive stature and their bright red eyes, They multiply on over-ripened fruit but can also breed in drains and other moist locations. Fruit flies can infest a home during any time of the year.

Flies multiply rapidly, so a small infestation can turn into a large one seemingly overnight. As we’ve discussed, sometimes we see flies as only a nuisance when in reality it’s important that we remember that they carry a wide range of diseases.

If you notice a growing infestation of flies in your home or workplace, don’t hesitate to call your local professional pest control company. They will be able to quickly diagnose what species of fly you are dealing with, and by so doing eliminate the problem as quickly as possible. They can even provide you with tips and suggestions on how to prevent future fly infestations.