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Houseflies
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Houseflies are commonly found where people work or live because
of the warmer environment and ready supply of food. Bluebottles
(sometimes called blow flies) are also often found in human
environments, and are particularly attracted by meat and decaying
materials.
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Where do houseflies come from?
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Why do flies come indoors? >>
What harm can flies do? >>
How can I get rid of flies? >>
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Where do they come from?
Eggs are laid in moist or rotting matter - household rubbish,
compost or manure - and once hatched the flies reach maturity in
anything from two weeks in warmer weather. Common houseflies have a
flight range of five miles or so, and can easily transfer from the
breeding grounds to home. A sudden appearance of bluebottles in the
home normally indicates that a small animal (maybe a mouse or
shrew) has died - possibly under the floorboards or up a chimney.
Female bluebottles are easily able to find sources of suitable
food, and are often found in domestic kitchens.
Why do flies come indoors?
Houseflies and bluebottles come indoors looking for food. They
are not fussy what sort of food they settle on, and are likely to
be highly active once indoors.
Can they do harm?
Houseflies can transmit intestinal worms, and are also known to
be carriers of particular diseases - gastroenteritis (tummy bug),
for example. Bluebottles too, are known to spread diseases, and
certain precautions should be taken. Because of the way flies feed
and where they are likely to have come from before settling on the
food, it is as well to make sure that you cover any food to avoid
contamination. You should frequently clean drains, particularly
near kitchens, and cover your waste bins to avoid providing ideal
breeding conditions.
How do I get rid of them?
The best ways of controlling or avoiding infestations are good
hygiene and taking the simple precautions mentioned above.
Insecticidal control using fly sprays ("knock down" sprays) are a
good, almost instant, way of dealing with the problem. Flypapers,
while unsightly, are another solution. Electric ultra-violet fly
killers are another means of controlling flies, but their
efficiency can be affected by where they are placed.