Flies

Of the thousands of species of flies, only a few are common pests in and around the home. Some of the more common nuisance flies are the house fly (Musca domestica), the face fly (Musca autumnalis), the stable fly(Stomoxys calcitrans), the little house fly (Fannia canicularis), and several species of garbage fly (especially in the genus Phaenicia). These pests breed in animal wastes and decaying organic material from which they can pick up bacteria and viruses that may cause human diseases. In addition, adult stable flies (sometimes called “biting flies”) feed on mammalian blood and can give a painful bite.

  • Identification

    The house fly (Musca domestica) is a cosmopolitan companion of humans and domestic animals. House flies are generally found in greatest numbers during the hotter summer months. House flies are less than 3/8 inch in length and have four dark  tripes down the back of their thorax. House flies have sponging mouthparts and eat solid food by first liquefying it with their saliva.

    Damage

    Because they have sponging mouthparts, house flies cannot bite; however, they may play an important role in disease transmission to humans and animals. House flies serve as carriers of disease agents due to their predilection for feeding on animal wastes, garbage, and human foods. House flies are known to carry bacteria and viruses that cause conditions such as diarrhea, cholera, food poisoning, yaws, dysentery, and eye infections.

  • Identification

    Little house flies (Fannia canicularis) are generally most numerous during the cooler spring and fall months. As temperatures rise in summer, populations of Fannia diminish. Adults are approximately two-thirds the size of the house fly and lack the house fly’s distinctive thoracic stripes.

    Damage

    Little house flies are more reluctant to enter homes than are house flies; instead, they tend to congregate in outdoor areas such as patios, entryways, and garages. As temperatures decline, they seek cover in buildings or protective vegetation. They seldom land on human foods and are not considered a significant carrier of human disease agents. However, their habit of hovering at face height makes them annoying, though they move readily out of the way when approached.

  • Identification

    The stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans), sometimes called the "biting fly," is a common fly that attacks people living in neighborhoods where livestock animals (e.g., horses, cattle, and sheep) are present or that are close to livestock facilities.

    Damage

    Both sexes of stable flies feed about once per day on the blood of animals (and sometimes people) and are known to give a painful bite. Although they are blood feeders and capable of transmitting some viruses, stable flies are not known to be significant carriers of disease agents in the U.S. Stable flies prefer to feed on the legs and lower body of large animals such as cattle and horses. On dogs, stable flies typically feed around the periphery of the ears. Undisturbed, the stable fly can fully engorge with blood in less than 5 minutes. Fully fed stable flies will move to a suitable resting site (e.g., a wall or fence) while the blood meal is digested.

  • Identification

    Garbage flies are a group of fly species with similar life histories and behaviors. Adult flies in this group can be readily differentiated from other flies discussed in this publication by their coloration, which is a shiny, metallic green or blue often mixed with some copper color.

    Damage

    Like house flies, garbage flies have sponging mouthparts and do not bite or feed on blood. They are, however, strongly attracted to human foods and garbage and can make cooking outdoors difficult due to the nuisance they pose. As with house flies, they may be involved in the transmission of disease agents picked up from garbage or animal feces and subsequently carried to human foods.

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Contact Info

Daun Pest Control Hygiene Services
Main Office:
GC19, Blok B, Kelana Square,
Jalan SS7/26, 47301 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor Darul Ehsan

Email 1 : sales1.daunservices@gmail.com
Email 2. : info@dpchs.com.my
Telephone : +6016 3380960