| House flies | House flies | The house fly is one of the most cosmopolitan insects and has been considered a pest for centuries. The house fly measures 3/16 to 1/4 inch long and can be distinguished from other flies by the 4 dark stripes on the thorax and the yellowish abdomen with dark markings. House flies can develop from egg to adult in as little as a week if conditions are right and can build up to huge numbers quite quickly if food is abundant. They breed in animal dung, carrion and decaying plant material. They overwinter in our area as pupae. The house fly can transmit dozens of diseases, including diarrhea, polio, and Salmonella. Disease transmission usually occurs when the house fly comes into contact with the pathogen and then passively moves this pathogen to humans. |
|
