Are House Flies Dangerous?
House flies are a common indoor pest. And, while often treated as simple nuisances, they can pose a health risk to you and your loved ones. Learn more uncommon facts about house flies and how to prevent them from buzzing around your home.
Are there different types of flies?
While house flies are similar in appearance to other flies, there are a variety of different fly species. You can often decipher different types of flies by looking at their physical appearance, and what they are attracted to.
- Cluster flies: generally larger than house flies, gray in color with golden hairs.
- Blow flies: metallic-looking blue or black flies, often attracted to meat
- Fruit flies: yellow with red eyes and breed near moisture or sweet food sources
- Drain flies: similar in appearance to house flies, but smaller and lay eggs in pipes or garbage
- Horse flies: two to four times as large as the average house fly and more aggressive
Do house flies bite?
While the common house fly doesn’t bite, there are many species of flies that drink blood as a supplementary part of their diet. These bites commonly lead to sharp stinging pain, swollen bite sites, and inflamed marks.
How are house flies dangerous?
Flies can carry many diseases that are spreadable via blood and germs. Being as mobile as they are, flies can quickly transport germs from one surface to another. These germs can lead to food poisoning and other diseases like dysentery, E. coli, cholera, and more.
How do I know if I have house flies?
There are a few different ways house flies can make their way into your home. House flies typically enter through open doors and windows, damaged screens, or cracks in the foundation.
House flies can be prevented by throwing out food past its expiration, cleaning your house regularly, and avoiding leaving any doors or windows open in your home. Limiting access to food sources can limit their ability to reproduce quickly.
How long do house flies live?
The life expectancy of a housefly is anywhere between 15 and 30 days. However, during this time, flies are able to reproduce abundantly. A female house fly can lay between five and six batches of eggs during her lifespan, reproducing tens to hundreds of flies on her own.
Live Fly-Free with Las Vegas Pest Control
Don’t let pesky flies buzz around your home and possibly contaminate food or spread germs. Our experienced team at Las Vegas Pest Control can help remove house flies from your home or business. Call today or contact us online to get a free estimate!
