Problems caused by House Flies
Probably the most common pest that has to be dealt with in any household in North America is the fly. Both fruit flies and house flies grow to plague like populations in some areas of the continent during the warmer months. In this article, we will take a look at just what is the problem with the house fly. Keep in mind that when we talk about house flies we are talking about a few dozen different species, but in general the problems that come with flies are the same.
They are annoying
Most people will agree that the biggest problem with house flies is that they become extremely irritating. The noise of their wings is enough to get you running for a swatter during the day and can drive you insane at night time. They are unpleasant to look at, and it is disgusting to see a fly walking around on your food!
They are very fast reproducers
The average fly life cycle is around three weeks, during which a female fly may produce hundreds of offspring. Multiply that, and you quickly see why fly populations explode. Flies can take advantage of many different areas for laying their eggs, from warm and protected cracks in your walls to your garbage and even the dirt in house plants!
They are tough
Almost all species of house flies have become resistant to over used insecticides. That’s why it’s important to understand how to control their numbers using least toxic pest control methods!
They carry diseases
You know that reaction we talked about earlier, where the sight of a fly making its way across your kitchen table sends a repulsed reaction throughout your body? Well, there is a reason for this.
House flies are known to carry, or potentially carry, a great many different diseases. Their affinity for garbage and for offal is the main reason; the tiny bacteria that can cause so much grief to the human system cling easily to the legs of flies after they cross an unsanitary surface, and can end up being ingested by humans.
For the most part the diseases that flies can carry cause food borne illnesses such as salmonella and E. Coli, but more serious disease such as cholera, typhoid, and even tuberculosis and anthrax can be carried by flies. They may also play host to the larvae form of parasitic worms which can grow to large proportions given the ideal human host!
So flies, as pests, go beyond mere annoyances, and may in fact be one of the more serious insect pests around. Still it is important to note that the more severe illnesses carried by flies are much more likely to occur in areas where sanitary conditions are already very poor; most parts of North America will not likely have flies transporting different diseases.