Signs of Fly Infestation

What are the signs of a fly infestation?

1. Frequent fly sightings
2. Dark spots everywhere
3. Discovery of maggots
4. Spread of infection and disease

 

If you’re hearing buzzing sounds in your room, this might be one of the early signs of a fly infestation. Having a few of these pests might not be a problem at first but soon you will see them increase in numbers. Other than making it hard for you to do your tasks, these pests can cause food contamination and spread diseases. To determine if you need pest control services for your building, keep on reading to learn more!

 

Frequent Fly Sightings

Frequent fly sightings are one of the most obvious signs of a developing infestation. Most people confuse them with other flying pests such as mosquitos, so it is important that you know what they look like.

Typical houseflies are grayish in color and have black stripes on their hairy body. Other than that, they have a white spot under their red bulging eyes. They’re supported by 6 thin legs and have a pair of translucent wings. Adults are usually about ¼ to ⅛ inches big.

Compared to that, fruit flies are beige or tan in color and their bodies have black rings. They also have red eyes while other species are dark-eyed. Just like house flies, they have 6 stick-like legs and glassy wings. They’re also typically smaller, with more or less ⅛ inch in size.

 

Dark Spots Everywhere

During the day, flies will gather on walls, floors, and ceilings indoors. Outside, they will hang around your fences, garbage cans, and plants in the garden. Because they’re primarily active during the daytime, you will see them resting at night in indoor corners and edges 5 to 15 feet above the ground.

When they’re not around, you may also discover their waste in their favorite areas of your building. These are black spots that are the size of a pinhead. If neglected, these can accumulate into clusters over time. Flies produce feces wherever they land, so if you see high amounts of waste, it might be a sign that you have an infestation.

You can also look for fly waste in your window frames, light fittings, walls, and drainage areas. Pay attention to high and hard-to-reach areas such as above the cabinets and below the sinks.

 

Discovery of Maggots

House flies have 4 stages in their life cycle. From eggs, larvae, pupa, and adult fly—the process only takes as little as six days. A female house fly can only mate once but they will reproduce up to 6 times, and lay as much as 900 eggs during their life.

These eggs are white in color and usually a millimeter in length. Because they’re hard to see, you will probably spot young flies in their larvae or maggot stage.

Maggots can range from 3 to 9 millimeters long and they’re typically pale white in color. You will often find them in moist and dark areas which are located near their food source. Some of their common habitats include trash cans, rotting food, and animal waste.

 

Spread of Infection and Disease

House flies primarily feed on spoiled food, manure, and trash. When they land on these substances, they carry the pathogens in their body and legs wherever they go. Because one of their favorite places to hang out in is the kitchen, the risk of food contamination is high if you have an infestation.

Some of the pathogens they transmit to humans can cause diarrhea, food poisoning, and dysentery. They’re also known to cause typhoid fever, tuberculosis, gastroenteritis, conjunctivitis, and salmonellosis. Viruses and bacteria can be transmitted if you consume contaminated foods, use infected dining utensils, or touch your eyes and wounds after putting your hands on these products.

If you or someone you know recently had one of these conditions, it might be a good time to call pest control services to solve the infestation.

 

Key Takeaway

It might not be obvious at first, but having a fly infestation in your building is a big problem! If neglected, it can lead to health problems that can infect your family, staff, or customers.

If you have one or more signs of a fly infestation, it is recommended to get the assistance of a professional pest control company such as Topbest. We can help you spot these pests’ breeding grounds, find out the cause of the infestation, and eliminate the fly problem.