Diptera

A fly is a flying insect. Although many insects are termed “flies”, only those having one pair of wings are true flies. Flies are one of the most diverse groups of insects. There are over 125,000 species of flies that live on earth. They are found all over the world except Antarctica. Flies carry disease. House flies can carry at least 65 illnesses that infect people. Some of these diseases include food poisoning, dysentery, anthrax, cholera, salmonella, tuberculosis, and typhoid. Mosquitos, which is a fly species, transmit some of the most destructive diseases including malaria, and yellow fever.

Identification – What do flies look like?

Flies are generally black, brown, yellow, and iridescent green in color. Flies have one pair of wings, six legs, two antennae, and three body parts. Their eyes are forward facing and goggle shaped.They can be shiny with little hair or fuzzy with a lot of hair. They range in size from .039 to 2.8 inches long. Flies can range in shape form compact to gangly. Common flies are mosquitos, gnats, and house flies. Flies can live from 24 hours to several months.

Habitat and Habits of flies

Flies live in almost all environments. They do prefer warm, moist places. Most flies are active during the day and feed on variety of foods. Flies taste with their mouth and feet. Flies sleep anywhere they land. They lay their eggs in moist, decaying organic matter like trash, grass clippings, or feces.

Diet – What do flies eat?

Depending on the species, flies can feed on nectar, sap, and decaying plant or animal matter including feces. Some species, like mosquitos, feed on blood.

Fly Control – How to get rid of flies?

The most effective way to keep flies out of your home is to clean and maintain outdoor garbage cans and make sure that windows and doors are screened off. Preventative fly control techniques should always be tried before using a pesticide or insecticide. If these methods aren’t working, call us to help provide the right solution to keep flies out of your home or business. Rocky Mountain Bird and Pest technicians are trained to help manage flies and similar pests.