There are approximately 10,000 species of flies in Australia, but only a tiny percentage of these flies are considered pests (such as Biting Midges) or a ‘nuisance’ (like House Flies). The Fruit Fly is one of Australia’s most damaging horticultural pests.
Many families of flies visit backyards and may attempt to enter homes, but the most common families of ‘nuisance flies’ encountered are Muscidae (e.g., House Flies and Bush Flies) and Calliphoridae (Blow Flies). The Fungus Gnat is another annoyance fly you may encounter in your home.
Some flies are beneficial insects that should be encouraged in residential gardens. The HoverFly is the most common; the adult fly is a pollinator, and the larvae are aphid predators.
The most effective treatment for flies
It is critical to be observant when controlling pests and to learn as much as possible about the insects you are attempting to control. Flies are not intentionally trying to annoy us; they are simply doing what comes naturally to them. We can use what we know about pest flies’ life cycles and behaviour against them if we learn a little about them.
Flies may appear to be a nuisance, but they aren’t always. For example, during the summer, you may notice a large number of flies (Blow Flies and House Flies) on the outside walls and windows of your home. They are simply attempting to stay cool on a hot day, and when the weather cools, they usually leave. Even if they don’t leave, they won’t be able to enter your home if your doors and windows are properly sealed. Treat indoor areas and surfaces with Yates Home Pest Long Term Control Barrier Spray to help keep them out. Spray common resting spots, such as door jams, flyscreens, curtain rods, and around ceiling-mounted fixtures. You can also spray it outside on eaves, flyscreens, and awnings.
What Are Flies and How Can You Get Rid of Them?
Flies belong to the insect order Diptera. The term ‘Diptera’ comes from the Greek words for two (di) and wings (ptera). Flies have a single pair of wings (two wings), whereas all other flying insects have two pairs of wings (i.e. four wings).
House Flies (Musca domestica) have long been associated with human activity, and they arrived in Australia with the first European settlers. House Flies have now become naturalised in nearly every country on the planet.
Bush Flies (Musca vetustissima) are those pesky tiny flies that get in our eyes during the summer and are primarily to blame for the ‘Great Aussie Salute.’
Blowflies (Calliphora spp.) are large, bristly, buzzing flies attracted to kitchen windows or grills when meat is cooking. In Australia, the genus Calliphora contains approximately 70 species.
Stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) are blood-sucking flies that bite humans and animals. Stable flies are also associated with livestock (hence the common name), and they were introduced into Australia in the late 1800s.
Biting Midges (Culicoides spp. ), also known as ‘Sand Flies,’ are tiny bloodsuckers that annoy people outside at dawn or dusk. They are so small that they are known as no-see-mus in other countries – you don’t see them, you feel them. The family Ceratopogonidae contains several genera of Biting Midges. One of the most common is Culicoides. Australia is home to over 150 species.
Description:
The House Fly
The adult House Fly measures 5 to 7 mm in length, has reddish eyes, is grayish on top with four black stripes on the thorax, and is yellowish underneath. The eggs are white and approximately 2 mm long. Larvae are creamy-colored maggots that grow to be about 10 mm long. Pupae are dark brown and approximately 2 mm long.
The Bush Fly
The adult Bush Fly resembles the House Fly in appearance. It measures 4–6 mm in length and has two black stripes on the thorax that split into four, resembling two parallel ‘Y’s. The size and appearance of the eggs, larvae, and pupae are similar to the House Fly.
Blowing Flies
Adult Blowflies are large, robust, and hairy flies. Common species are approximately 11mm long, which is nearly twice the size of the House Fly and its relatives. Eggs, larvae, and pupae are all enormous.
Fly Stable
The Stable adult Fly is 5–7 mm long and looks like a House Fly. The abdomen of Stable Flies has a checkerboard pattern that the House Fly lacks. All other life stages resemble those of the House Fly.
Biting Midge, also known as a ‘Sand Fly,’
Biting by Adult Midges are 1 – 3 mm long, grayish in color, and have spotted wings. Larvae are 2–5 mm long, aquatic, gilled, and worm-like.
The Life Cycle:
Flies have a complete metamorphosis life cycle, consisting of egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Most female flies can lay hundreds of eggs, and most flies are most active during the year’s warmer months.
House flies congregate in areas where humans congregate and can breed in various organic waste, including poorly managed open compost bins and animal droppings. Adult House Flies must feed before breeding and are especially attracted to sweet foods found in homes. Depending on the climate, there could be 10 to 20 generations per year.
Bush flies breed in animal dung, and large populations can form in areas with intensive livestock operations. In northern Australia, bush flies are present all year, but populations may decline during the wet season, particularly in coastal areas. They are present in the southern third of the country during the warmer months but cannot survive the southern winters.
Blow Flies breed in carrion, and females can give birth to live young. Adult Blow Flies are drawn to flowers to feed on nectar, and because they are hairy, they are effective pollinators. Blow Flies are beneficial insects rather than pests due to pollination and the other ecological service, which is the breakdown of animal carcasses. If their buzzing irritates you, screen them out of the House.
Stable flies have piercing mouth parts that allow them to feed on blood. They can bite humans, but they are more dangerous to domestic animals and livestock. Stable flies are unusual bloodsuckers in that both sexes feed on blood, whereas usually, only females do. Stable flies breed in organic matter that is moist and decaying, such as manure mixed with straw, silage, crop residue, hay, grain, manure, and soiled animal bedding.
Biting Midges breed on the sandy edges of rivers and estuaries, posing a problem for communities living in such areas. Only the female bites because she requires blood protein to lay fertile eggs. The best times to feed are usually at dawn and dusk.
Which Plants are Affected by Flies?
These flies have no direct effect on plants. The Fruit Fly is the most damaging pest fly to plants.
Fly Presence Symptoms
- Larvae appear in kitchen trash cans or compost bins.
- Spotting fly droppings (‘spotting’) on window sills or benches.
- Bite marks on human skin or the ears of pets
- The odour of decaying carcasses.
- Flies are circling over animal excrement.
How to Prevent the Appearance of Flies
Check that all of the screens on the windows and doors are still in place.
Use sealed compost bins or infrequently turn to keep House Flies at bay if using an open compost system.
To keep House Flies and Blowflies out, seal all gaps around doors and windows.
Seal gaps to keep rodents and possums out of attics and basements. Blow Flies are drawn to dead rodents or possums.
To prevent Stable Flies from breeding, change pet bedding and clean the area regularly.
Animal droppings should be cleaned up regularly.
Suppose Biting Midges are a problem where you live, screen outdoor entertainment areas. The standard mesh will not deter midges; instead, use a finer’midge’ mesh of 20 x 20 per inch.
Wear insect-screen hats to keep Bush Flies from crawling into your eyes when you’re outside.
When going outside, use repellent and long-sleeved clothing to avoid Midge bites.
Contact B2B Pest Control if you are facing Flies Problem.
