When it comes to annoyance, flies rate almost as highly as mosquitoes. For many people they are at the top of the list! Not only are flies major nuisances, they also spread serious diseases like E. Coli and salmonella. For this reason it’s extremely important to control them, especially where food is stored or prepared.
Flies come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, are extremely prolific, and are next to impossible to escape. Entomologists (scientists who specialize in the study of insects) have cataloged over 10,000 different species. All of them are capable of carrying filth into areas that are normally clean.
That said, some species have some particularly bad habits, and a few actually perform useful services! The bad actors prefer to spend time around repulsive things, like rotten food, dead animals, feces, et cetera. They pick up all sorts of germs in these places, and transfer those pathogens to the next place they land or poop on.
Although there are thousands of species, this time I want to to concentrate on four varieties you might encounter in our area:
Common (or House) Flies –
You’re undoubtedly familiar with Common Flies, a.k.a. House Flies. They are are found wherever people are active, and are the most numerous type of flies around agricultural sites. Scientists believe this species originated on the steppes of Central Asia, but have long since spread to every continent. They live in many climates, from tropical to temperate.
In temperate environments, development from egg to larvae (maggots) to adult takes around seven to ten days. They often feed on animal feces and lay eggs in them. These wastes provide the warmth and moisture necessary for their lifecycle to quickly be completed. Because of their fondness for poop, it’s a good idea to frequently pick up pet droppings from your yard, and dispose of them in a closed container.
Adult house flies typically live only 15 to 25 days, but can live up to two months in optimal conditions. What they lack in lifespan they make up for in numbers. Approximately 10-12 generations come and go during warm-weather months. Scientists computed that, under ideal conditions and assuming no flies died during breeding season (April to August), a single pair could generate 191 sextillion offspring! Fortunately, mortality rates prevent succeeding generations from reaching their maximum potential!
Their ability to rapidly reproduce is the reason it’s all but impossible to escape these pests, especially in warmer months. Controlling their population is important, because house flies are among the most likely to transport germs from feces to your kitchen.
Botflies –
Botflies are a particularly disturbing type of fly. You may recognize the term “horse flies.” They are members of this family, along with “warble flies,” and “human bot flies.” These insects invade their host’s tissues by implanting eggs around open wounds, nostrils and ears.
Their eggs develop into larvae that burrow into the animal’s hide and migrate to various areas in the body where they feed on the host. Eventually they bore a hole to exit, and the cycle starts over when an adult lays another set of eggs. You can imagine how painful this is for the animal, how it can damage the host’s health, and reduce its value.
Beneficial flies –
A few types of flies are good pollinators. Just like bees, these insects provide an important service. I suppose that makes the “exception to the rule.” “Hover flies” are often confused with bees because of their similar coloration. “Bee flies” are large, hairy insects in the Bombyliidae family. Both kinds feed on nectar and carry pollen from flower to flower.
If you’re a gardner, you may have noticed a few around your decorative plants or vegetables. Because they spend most of their time around plants and they do not damage structures, neither species is a particular danger to humans.
Phorids –
Phorids are a large family of small flies, with more than 3500 species worldwide. Most phorid flies feed on and develop in organic matter, but a few types implant their eggs in other insects. Their eggs become parasites that feed on the host, turning them into zombies.
One type of phorid, Pseudacteon tricuspis, was actually released in several southern US states to attack imported red fire ants. They lay eggs inside the ant, and developing larvae migrate to the ant’s head where enzymes that cause the head to fall off are released. While phorids help control unwanted pests, they can pose a threat to helpful species like honey bees and bumblebees.
Scuttle flies are also a menber of this group. They may be recognized by their tendency to “scuttle” erratically along surfaces rather than become airborne. They feed on many substances, but are quite fond of rotting potatoes and other tubers. They’ll also feed around septic tanks and lines, and breed in dead bodies. They are sometimes found in mausoleums or churches where crypts are present.
What to do –
Accurate identification is the first and arguably the most important step toward effective pest management. We’re ready to help by first determining the nature of the problem, then recommending appropriate control measures. Contact us at (405) 679-8729 for a review and estimate. You’ll be glad you did!
