Fly Season

The common house fly, scientifically known as Musca domestica Linneus, is most prevalent during the autumn season. These flies breed in the summer and by autumn; they have already hatched and developed into mature flies.

Fly season usually starts around late September and can last until December. During this time, it is important to keep house flies at bay since they carry multitudes of disease-causing bacteria, viruses and other parasitic pathogens.

House Fly Life Cycle

The common house fly goes through four phases during its lifetime: egg, larva, pupa and adult. A single female fly can lay up to a hundred eggs per reproductive stage, numbering up to nine hundred eggs during its lifetime.

The female fly usually lays eggs in clusters hence; it is common to see flies huddled together in a suitable breeding environment. A female fly is typically bigger than the male fly and it has a wider gap between the eyes as compared to that of the male’s eyes.

The eggs hatch when the weather is warmer, which is normally around summer, and the larva or maggots feed on decaying and damp organic matter. When the larva is ready to undergo its pupae stage, it will look for a cooler and dryer area.

It will then develop into an adult, taking around three days and five weeks at most, depending on the humidity level of its environment and temperature.

Keeping House Flies at Bay

Since these flies feed on decaying matter and like to lurk around damp areas, it is important to keep your surroundings clean at all times. They particularly love fecal matter hence; you should always throw your pet’s manure in a covered garbage bin several feet away from the house.

Most people put in window screens to prevent the flies from entering their homes. Screen doors are also usually installed or if this is not possible, you should always keep your doors and windows closed.

There are several products that you can use to get rid of the flies. Fly traps, fly swatters and fly papers are only some of the most common fly control products used to prevent flies from infesting the home.

Since fly season usually starts around autumn, you should consider doing a general cleaning of the entire house especially your outdoors, before autumn comes to dissuade the flies from staying around.

If they do not find any suitable breeding environment as well as decaying matter to feed on, they will not stick around your home.