Houseflies

Houseflies (Musca domestica) are small flies in the family Muscidae. They are common in human settlements worldwide and are among the most familiar insects associated with urban and agricultural areas.

Adults are about 6 to 7 mm long, with a gray thorax that bears four dark longitudinal stripes. The abdomen is typically dull gray with faint markings. They have large red compound eyes and a pair of short antennae. The mouthparts are adapted for sponging and lapping rather than biting. They feed on liquids and semiliquids; they regurgitate saliva to dissolve solid foods and then suck up the fluid.

Life cycle: Eggs are laid in moist, decomposing organic matter such as manure, garbage, or spilled foods. The larvae (maggots) feed on the material, then pupate before adults emerge. In warm weather the life cycle can be completed in as little as 7 to 10 days, allowing several generations per summer; cooler conditions slow development.

Ecology and disease: Houseflies are attracted to waste and decaying matter. They can pick up bacteria and other microbes on their bodies and in their gut and may mechanically transfer them to food or surfaces. This makes them potential vectors for a range of illnesses, though they are not biological hosts.

Control: Management focuses on sanitation and exclusion—keeping premises clean, removing breeding sites, and screening windows. Traps and baits may reduce flies, and judicious use of insecticides can be part of an integrated approach. Biological control options have been explored but are not widely used in all settings.