Blow Fly

Blow flies are spread throughout the world. These flies do not bite, but they lay their eggs on decomposing remains. You need to learn how to control the blow fly population to reduce the risk of contamination and the spread of diseases.

Facts, Identification, and Control

What are blow flies? Here are some facts about the blowfly insect.

Latin Name

Family Calliphoridae

Appearance

Blow flies have a metallic green color, and the larvae have a pale brown color. The adults have sponge-like mouthparts with hairs on the antennal segments. These flies measure ¼ inch to half an inch in length.

Facts about Blow Fly

Blow flies breed on decomposing food or animals. These flies spread pathogens and bacteria. When the female lays eggs on decomposing remains, this allows the maggot to feed once they develop.

Maggots undergo three stages in seven days, and they leave the food source to pupate in the soil. The pupation is complete in a few days. That’s where they emerge as adults. The flies prefer humid and warm weather, the reason they are active in spring and summer.

When looking for food, the bottle fly buzzes around the house to no end, something that can be annoying.

Where Do They Live?

Blow fly larvae are common near dead animals. Some species are common on carrion, while others survive in the shade to complete the developmental stage.

What Do They Eat?

Blow flies are the first to be exposed to dead remains. They prefer the remains, as they are essential for larval survival and growth. You can also find them on plants that smell like rotten remains.

How Did I Get Blow Flies?

You can get blowflies if you have openings on your doors, windows, or walls. Once they get inside, the flies will find a food source and begin to lay eggs.

How Serious are Blow Flies Problems?

Do blow flies bite? No, you can’t get a blow fly bite. However, they breed on decayed remains, which could expose you to contaminated food. Moreover, these flies can transfer disease organisms once they come into contact with a lesion or wound on people and pets. These insects can spread dysentery and other illnesses.

What Can I Do About Blow Flies?

If you have a blowfly problem, it could mean that these flies are attracted to trash containers. You can reduce this problem by ensuring that your trashcans are covered to ensure no odors are attracting the flies.

Seal any openings around your doors and windows. Install tight-fitting screens and weather stripping to prevent access.

Signs of a Blow Fly Infestation

You may have a blow fly infestation if you spot larvae moving out of their breeding source to pupate. Adults can be found looking for food or hanging around odor sources. Noticing such an infestation shows a severe problem as these flies only gather around carrion. It could indicate that you have an animal carcass in a wall void or attic.

Blow Fly Prevention and Control Tips

Here are some tips on blow fly prevention and control.

Practice Sanitation

You need to practice sanitation to eliminate fly infestation. Make sure to keep trash in a tight-fitting garbage can. Use a plastic liner in your trashcans and clean the receptacles. Don’t forget to dispose of rotting produce immediately. Clean all crumbs and spills that may attract flies.

Exclude Them

Flies can squeeze any tiny hole to enter your home. Seal any holes on your doors and windows.  Your doors should have intact weather-stripping and caulk any gaps on your windows.

Blow Fly Professional Pest Control

It’s critical to get in touch with a professional blow fly pest control company if you’re dealing with a blow fly infestation. They have the expertise, equipment, and knowledge to eliminate these flies.

FAQ’s

Will blow flies go away on their own?

If you are seeing a continuous blow fly presence in your home there’s also a chance you may have a dead rodent in a wall void or crawl space, and the pests will likely not be leaving anytime soon until the carcass is removed. Blow flies will usually become active again on warm, sunny days, like cluster flies.

What is the difference between a blow fly and a house fly?

A house fly is any fly regularly found in human dwellings while a blow fly is any of various flies of the family Calliphoridae that lay their eggs in rotting meat, dung, or in open wounds.

How long does a blow fly infestation last?

Blow flies have residual (or long-term effects) that will last for up to 90 days.