What is Housefly?

A housefly is a common flying insect that is found in and around homes. They are known for their ability to quickly reproduce and can be a nuisance to humans by buzzing around, landing on food, and spreading bacteria and disease. Houseflies are typically gray in color with four black stripes on their thorax and have large red compound eyes. They have a short lifespan of about 15-30 days and are attracted to decaying organic matter.

Housefly (Musca domestica)

Description:

- Small, common fly found worldwide
- Length: 6-8 mm
- Color: Dark gray to black with four black stripes on the thorax
- Compound eyes cover most of the head
- Wings are clear with a slight yellow-brown tint

Behavior:

- Daytime creatures
- Active in warm, sunny weather
- Feed on a wide range of organic matter, including feces, garbage, decaying plant material, and human food
- Can transmit over 100 diseases to humans, animals, and birds

Life Cycle:

- Egg: White, oval-shaped, laid in clusters or cracks in organic matter
- Larva (maggot): White, legless, and feed on organic matter
- Pupa: Reddish-brown or black, barrel-shaped, and forms inside a hard case
- Adult: Emerges from the pupa and lives for 15-30 days

Significance:

- Health concerns: Transmit diseases such as typhoid, dysentery, and conjunctivitis
- Nuisance pest: Attracted to human dwellings and can contaminate food and surfaces
- Agricultural pest: Can damage crops and livestock by feeding on manure and decaying plant material

Control Measures:

- Sanitation: Proper waste disposal and cleaning of surfaces to reduce breeding sites
- Fly traps: Use commercial traps baited with attractants such as sugar or vinegar
- Fly swatter: Physical means of elimination
- Insecticides: Chemical sprays or baits to kill flies
- Biological control: Use of natural predators such as wasps and birds