Family Owned Pest Control in Washington & Utah
License # 101704
- officestaff@zunexpestcontrol.com
- License # 101704
Have you ever wondered what's buzzing around your backyard or making a surprise appearance in your kitchen? Flies are unwelcome guests, but understanding their different types and behaviors can help you better manage them. Get ready to explore more about the different types of flies you may spot around your house and learn how to keep them from taking over your space.
From the pesky house fly buzzing around your kitchen to the mysterious horse fly by the lake, flies come in all shapes, sizes, and behaviors. Here are a couple of pests you may regularly run into:
House flies are perhaps the most familiar and widespread of all fly species. They are attracted to decaying organic matter, garbage, and human food, making them frequent visitors to homes, grocery stores, and restaurants. House flies are known carriers of disease-causing bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli, meaning these pests can pose serious risks to food safety and public health.
Fruit flies are small, usually about 1/8 inch long, and prefer to buzz around fermenting fruits, vegetables, and other sugary substances, as their name suggests. They can quickly reproduce in moist areas where organic matter is present. While they are not known to transmit diseases to humans directly, they can contaminate food and are generally a nuisance in homes and commercial kitchens.
Drain flies, also known as moth flies or sewer flies, are small flies with fuzzy bodies and wings that give them a moth-like appearance. They typically inhabit drains, sewage systems, septic tanks, and other damp, organic-rich environments. Drain flies do not bite humans or transmit diseases; finding them in or around your bathtub or sinks could indicate underlying plumbing issues or something needing a deep clean.
Blow flies are medium to large-sized, known for their metallic blue or green coloration. They are often the first insects to arrive at carcasses or decaying organic matter, where they lay their eggs. Blow flies play a crucial role in decomposition and are used in forensic science to determine the time of death. While they are not directly harmful to humans, their presence can indicate that a nearby pest or animal has died around your home.
Stable flies resemble house flies but have piercing mouthparts that they use to feed on the blood of mammals, including humans and livestock. They are strong fliers and populate agricultural areas, barns, and stables. Stable flies have a painful bite that may result in itchy welts and allergic reactions in both humans and animals. While they can’t do much damage to humans, they are vectors of diseases in livestock and are a general nuisance to anyone working or living in rural areas.
Horse flies and deer flies are robust, medium- to large-sized flies that are also known for their painful bites. They stick near water sources like ponds, lakes, and marshes, where females lay eggs. These flies feed on the blood of mammals, including humans and livestock, using their sharp mouthparts to pierce the skin. Their bites can be quite painful and may cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
Cluster flies are similar in appearance to house flies but are slightly larger and have a golden-yellow coloration on their thorax. They are called cluster flies because they tend to congregate in large numbers on windows and doors once they leave their indoor overwintering spots when the weather warms up. Cluster flies do not pose significant health risks to humans, but we still recommend contacting a pest control professional for substantial infestations.
Crane flies, also known as mosquito hawks, are slender, long-legged insects that resemble oversized mosquitoes. Despite their appearance, crane flies do not bite humans or rely on blood. Instead, they primarily feed on nectar and are harmless to humans and animals. Their larvae, known as leatherjackets, can occasionally damage grassroots in lawns and gardens.
Flesh flies are medium-sized pests with gray or black bodies marked with dark stripes. They feast on and lay their eggs in decaying organic matter, including carrion, garbage, and feces. While flesh fly larvae are scavengers that help break down organic material, they are not known to transmit diseases directly to humans.
Black flies are small, dark-colored flies with a bite that can pack a punch. You can often spot them near flowing water sources like rivers and streams. Here, the females will lay their eggs on nearby aquatic vegetation. Black flies feed on the blood of mammals, birds, and reptiles, including humans; their bites can cause itching, swelling, and allergic reactions. In some regions, black flies are vectors of diseases like river blindness (onchocerciasis).
Enough is enough with flies invading your space! They're not just annoying; they're downright bothersome. Take control with our professional pest control services to eliminate flies and restore your peace!
Contact the experts at Zunex Pest Control today!
.png)
