Filth Flies

Identification

Filth flies can be divided into two categories: large filth flies and small filth flies. Large filth flies have shorter legs and stouter bodies, while small filth flies have longer legs and more slender bodies.

Some examples of large filth flies are:

• House flies: gray or black flies with red eyes and four dark stripes on the thorax. They are about 1/4 inch long.
• Blow flies metallic blue, green, or bronze flies with hairy bodies. They are about 1/2 inch long.
• Flesh flies: gray or black flies with three dark stripes on the thorax and a checkerboard pattern on the abdomen. They are about 1/2 inch long.
• Stable flies: gray or brown flies with four dark stripes on the thorax and a pointed mouthpart. They are about 1/4 inch.
• Cluster flies: dull gray or black flies with golden hairs on the thorax and abdomen. They are about 3/8 inch long.

Some examples of small filth flies are:

• Fruit flies: tan or yellowish flies with red eyes and a rounded abdomen. They are about 1/8 inch long.
• Phorid flies: dark brown or black flies with a humpbacked appearance and a short antenna. They are about 1/16 inch long.
• Drain flies: gray or brown flies with fuzzy wings and a moth-like appearance. They are about 1/8 inch long.
• Fungus gnats: dark gray or black flies with long legs and antenna. They are about 1/8 inch long and.

Lifecycle

Filth flies go through complete metamorphosis, which means they hatch from eggs and change their body shape as they grow into adults. The stages of their lifecycle are egg, larva, pupa, and adult.

Adult flies lay clutches of 75 to 100 eggs 5 to 6 times in one day. In warm weather the eggs will hatch in 12 to 24 hours. The larvae (also known as maggots) will burrow into the food material and feed on it for 4 to 7 days. They will then form a hard shell around themselves called a pupa. Inside the pupa, the larva will transform into an adult fly. They emerge as an adult fly ready to breed and start the egg laying process over again.

Reproduction

Adult flies will look for conducive conditions to mate and reproduce. They are attracted to odors, moisture, heat, light, and colors. They can mate multiple times in their lifespan, which can range from a few days to a few weeks depending on the species and environmental factors.

Habitat

Filth flies live in and around garbage all year. During the winter, they simply nestle into garbage in sheltered areas and hunker down to preserve heat. During the summer, they become more active and seek out food sources and breeding sites.

Filth flies can be found in areas with heavy garbage, manure, carrion (decaying flesh of dead animals), or any other decaying organic matter. They can also enter homes through cracks and gaps in the foundation, doors, windows, or vents.

Sanitation is the biggest conducive condition to filth flies, and this can be broken down into specific areas of sanitation that are considered an issue:

• Dumpsters must be kept clean and emptied regularly.
• Trash containers inside must be kept clean and covered with tight-fitting lids.
• Keep the floor mats clean and dry, especially around the dishwashing area.
• Screen back door and have a closure on it.
• Eliminate any standing water or leaks around sinks, drains, pipes, or faucets.

Behavior

Filth flies are mostly diurnal insects that are active during the day and rest at night. They fly from one food source to another, often contaminating them with bacteria or parasites that they carry on their bodies or in their feces.

Filth flies cannot chew, they must suck up their food. They do this by regurgitating digestive juices onto the food and then sponging up the liquid with their mouths. Some filth flies, such as stable flies, have piercing-sucking mouthparts that allow them to feed on blood.

Filth flies do not have eyelids; they need to use their feet to keep them clean. They also have compound eyes that give them a wide field of vision and help them detect movement.

Fun Facts

• Chocolate comes from the fruits of the cacao tree. Its flowers are pollinated by the chocolate midge, a tiny fly less than 1/8 inch long. Without this fly, there would be no chocolate.
• Flies can taste with their feet. They have sensory hairs on their legs that can detect sweet, sour, bitter, and salty flavors.
• Flies can walk upside down and sideways. They have sticky pads on their feet that allow them to cling to any surface.
• Flies can flap their wings up to 200 times per second. They can also hover, fly backwards, and make sharp turns in mid-air.

Flies can be a common and annoying pest that enter your home any time of the year. Often the best strategy for eliminating them would be reducing the sources that attract filth flies such as trash and decaying matter. Call the Experts Today for an honest quote and evaluation to meet your specific needs!

Kwik Kill Services to control Filth Flies:  

• Commercial Filth Fly Extermination
• Home Protection Program
• Insect & Rodent Combo Package 
• One-Time Pest Control Services

Additional Information:

https://www.clemson.edu/extension/camm/manuals/common_chapters/pch10b_03.pdf
https://dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/structural-pest-control/house-flies-other-filth-flies.html