Pest Identification: Types of Flies

There are two different types of fly categories, which we at U.S. Pest Protection use to determine the proper course of treatment. Domestic flies are nuisances to homes and businesses. These flies include house flies, flesh flies, blow flies, fruit flies, and cluster flies, among others. The second category, biting flies, attack humans and livestock. Biting flies can be sand flies, horse flies, and black flies.

Both types of flies need to be eliminated quickly because they pose different risks to your health and safety around the home. Thankfully, U.S. Pest Protection has developed industry standard treatments to deal with all types of flies.

Domestic Flies

House Flies

This ¼-inch-long fly has a striped body and feeds primarily on animal feces and garbage. Most active in the late summer and early fall, house flies only live from seven to 45 days. The best way to manage house flies is to insist on better sanitation practices in your home. Exclusion, involving caulking windows and doors, works too. Get rid of habits where they’re known to breed, either by washing out garbage cans or cleaning cutters. House fly treatment from U.S. Pest Protection consists of special residual formulas and intensive baiting technology for flies, ensuring the fly population stays under control.

Flesh Flies

These flies, growing up to ½ an inch in length and with a checkerboard pattern on their abdomens, feed primarily on garbage, fresh manure, and even animal carcasses. They are most active in the warmer months and only live for two to four weeks. The best way to manage flesh flies is good sanitation practices and habitat elimination. Sometimes, they may need special treatment via larvicide treatments to keep them under control because their harborage may be hard to reach.

Blow Flies

Blow flies, known for their metallic blue or green color, are active in the spring and summer months and feed primarily on animal carcasses and rotting meat found in the garbage. They can only live for two to four weeks but are very disruptive when an invasion does happen. Check for dead animals or rotting meat and immediately remove it. Blowfly treatments consist of contact treatments, residual treatments, and occasional baiting for best control.

Fruit Flies

Fruit flies are ⅛ of an inch in length and often have a yellow or dark yellow tint. These flies are found primarily around decaying fruit, vegetables, and even house plants. They thrive during late summer and early fall. They are among the smallest flies and live only one to two weeks. The best treatment for fruit flies is to remove their food source, commonly bananas or potatoes. Treatments involve contact treatment of impacted areas and using special baiting stations to lure them.

Phorid Flies

They resemble fruit flies but have a humped back. These are commonly found around decaying vegetation, such as landscaping, and are most abundant in warmer months. Like fruit flies, they only live for one to two weeks. To treat for them, remove decaying vegetation. If their food source can’t be moved, our treatments will get the population under control.

Cluster Flies

Cluster flies resemble house flies, but they’re slightly bigger and move slowly and sluggishly. They feed on earthworms as parasites. Abundant in spring and fall months when temperatures change, they can live between four to six weeks depending on both weather and habitat. Because earthworms are so abundant, it is impossible to remove their food source. Cluster fly treatments consist of contact treatments and residual applications that can control the population and keep infestations at bay.

​Biting Flies

Horse Flies

These flies primarily feed on warm-blooded and domesticated animals (such as horses), but they are also known to prey on dogs, cats, and even humans. They bite and cause extremely irritating, painful bites to animals and humans. Eliminating their harborage areas or breeding sites can help knock down their population. When harborage can’t be located, we’ll use residual and contact treatments paired with repellents to keep them at bay.

Black Flies

Black flies feed on domesticated animals, as well as dogs and cats. Their bite causes extreme irritation and pain, sometimes even resulting in a rash. Residual and contact treatments are extremely effective, especially since it can be hard to find their nesting sites at times.

Sand Flies

Sand flies are known as “no-see-ums” or “black gnats.” They are among the tiniest of the biting flies and snack on humans with sucking mouthparts. They’re also known to feed on reptiles, other mammals, and even birds. Sand flies’ bites can be quite severe and take several weeks to heal. Sand flies are not usually able to be active in windy conditions. Different species feed at different times.

Contact U.S. Pest Protection for Your Fly Problem

No matter what species of fly you’ve encountered, U.S. Pest can solve your infestation issues with a combination of targeted treatment options, a thorough inspection, and decades of experience dealing with pests of all varieties. To have your home or business inspected for the presence of flies, contact us today to schedule your free inspection. You may also buy pest control services online.