Enhance your house fly knowledge for better control

BASF

House flies (Musca domestica) are nuisance pests that pose health risks. They can build up large populations, so your knowledge of house flies can help with inspections and control.

The house fly is a non-biting species measuring about 0.25 of an inch long. Adults have two wings and four black stripes on their backs. The abdomen typically appears checkered. A house fly exhibits complete metamorphosis: egg, larva (three instars), pupa and adult. They can live for up to three weeks and are active during warmer seasons.

An adult female can deposit 50 to 100 eggs at a time, with up to 500 eggs over a lifetime. The eggs are deposited in rotting organic matter and hatch after about 12 hours. The maggots (larvae) feed on the organic material.

Third-instar larvae will migrate from the rotten organic matter to a drier, nearby spot and pupate. Pupae are 0.33 of an inch long and form from the last larval skin, which changes color (yellow to red to brown to black) as the pupa ages. Pupae are bluntly rounded at both ends.

Remediating breeding sites is key. Use properly labeled bait or liquid products that provide quick knockdown and good residual. Rotating chemical classes will help with resistance management.