Common House Fly
The female house fly lays 120-150 eggs at a time and, depending on the temperature, the eggs can hatch into maggots within 8-48 hours. The maggots then burrow into a food source. The new fly can emerge any time from four days in the summer months, to several weeks in the cooler weather. In this country, the earliest flies tend to emerge in May and the greatest numbers are usually found during August and September.
Breeding more or less ceases in October, except in heated premises. During the winter, the House Fly's cycle is longer. The flies will breed in suitable indoor places and in decaying animal or vegetable matter, including rubbish heaps and horse manure.
Health Risks
Animal excrement and domestic waste form an ideal breeding ground for flies, which means they can spread disease. Their bodies pick up disease from food waste and excrement and carry this to food or surfaces that they subsequently land on. Diseases can also be carried in the fly's stomach, which can be transferred onto food from their saliva and faeces.
Control
The best method of fly control is to physically break the breeding cycle by making sure they cannot find anywhere to breed.
This can be achieved by:
- Not leaving food uncovered on work surfaces.
- Ensuring that kitchen bins are lidded to prevent flies accessing food waste.
- Food waste should ideally be bagged prior to being put in the bin.
- Regularly clean in and around the kitchen (including drains) and wheelie bins.
- Ensure your wheelie bin lid is kept closed to prevent flies gaining access.
- Do not leave bowls of dog/cat food out all day, especially in the kitchen.
If flies are present in the house, these can be controlled with the use of flypapers and fly sprays available in most supermarkets and hardware stores. However if larger infestations are a problem, you can contact the Council's Pest Control Officer who will come out to your premises and carry out treatment if required.
To book an appointment you will need to telephone one of our customer services units on either 01264 368000 or 01794 527923.
A list of our charges are available at the side of this page.