House mouse

House fly (Musca domestica) is a species of fly in the family Muscidae. It is one of the most widely distributed insects, found all over the world and is considered a pest that can carry serious diseases.

Description

The adult house fly is 8–12 mm long. The body is gray or sometimes even black, with four longitudinal lines on the thorax, slightly hairy bodies, and a single pair of membranous wings. They have red eyes, set farther apart in the slightly larger female.

Life cycle

The life cycle of a house fly begins in the egg stage. A female house fly is capable of laying up to 150 eggs in a batch. Over a period of a few days, she will produce five or six batches of eggs. Female house flies favor damp, dark surfaces such as compost, manure, and other decomposing organic material for egg laying.

Habitat and distribution

House flies are a common pest in both rural and urban settings. They are found all over the world, but are most common in populated areas. They prefer warm temperatures and are most active in summer and early fall.

Disease transmission

House flies can carry pathogens on their bodies and in their feces which can contaminate food and water. They can transmit diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, tuberculosis, and salmonella.

Control

Control of house flies is primarily achieved through sanitation, use of traps, and insecticides. Proper disposal of waste and use of screens on windows and doors can also help reduce their numbers.

See also

• Fly
• Insect
• Pest (organism)
• Disease transmission