Whether you are an individual living in a fancy home or a fully furnished apartment building, chances are you are sharing your space with insects that constantly buzz around in search of meals. One of the most dreaded pests that homeowners and apartment tenants can run into, flies are common pests with short lifespans. Still, they are capable of reproducing quickly and spreading several life-threatening diseases.

Not only are flies relatively troublesome to deal with, but they also pose a threat to one’s health. These pesky insects you see flying around are responsible for spreading numerous viruses, bacteria, and pathogens. A few severe diseases could be tuberculosis, salmonellosis, typhoid fever, cholera, gastroenteritis, and more.

How flies get into homes

For the most part, flies hatch outside from eggs set in decaying matter – these could be in the form of excrement, trash cans, and the like. Later through the process, they turn to maggots, feeding on the breeding source locations until they eventually reach the pupa stage. Finally, they reach the final stage of morphing and become flies. These insects will then enter your homes through structural weak spots such as open windows and doors. Now, you might think that these flies are just the same, but in reality, they come in many different forms. Read on to learn the 3 types of flies, how you can tell them apart, and the risks they carry!

Housefly

The most common type of fly one can find in their homes, a housefly is typically grey in colour and consists of 4 black stripes on their thorax. Houseflies have slightly hairy bodies, a pair of wings, and red eyes comprised of thousands of lenses – responsible for giving them a broad vision.

Houseflies are capable of transferring a broad spectrum of pathogens, including typhoid, salmonellosis, typhoid fever, and tuberculosis, which is why it is essential to get rid of them as soon as you encounter them. They contaminate food surfaces by spreading disease organisms that they pick up when feeding on substances such as trash, faeces, and other decaying elements.

Fruit fly

Fruit flies are known for their ability to reproduce rapidly. They typically appear to be brown or tan in colour and have eyes that are red or darker. With a tan thorax consisting of a black and grey abdomen, fruit flies have six legs and are relatively small. An oval-shaped insect, they are primarily attracted to rotting food matter – rotting fruits and vegetables as well as any fermenting liquids such as beer, wine, and liquor.

Fruit flies can lay around 500 eggs that could hatch in as little as 24 hours. Additionally, while they do not sting or bite, they contaminate food with harmful bacteria and disease-causing pathogens as they are commonly found in unsanitary conditions.

Sewer fly

Sewer flies, more commonly known as drain flies, resemble miniature moths and are seen in areas such as a typical Singaporean household’s kitchen and shower. Measuring about 1.5 to 3 mm long, these pesky flies can multiply exponentially at a terrifying rate. Although attracted to stagnant puddles of water, primarily in pipelines and other drainage regions, these insects live on sewage and reproduce in it. Organic debris can quickly accumulate along the drain’s side, attracting sewer flies to consume and breed.

Conclusion

Flies can be bothersome and threatening since they carry numerous harmful diseases. In essence, they are incredibly attracted to unsanitary places in the home brought by poor housekeeping, which is why it is vital to maintain cautious sanitation. This can be done by throwing the trash daily, cleaning all counter surfaces consistently, and proper disposal of decaying food matter.

If you suspect a fly infestation occurring in your home and are on the search for reliable pest control in Singapore, look no further as PestClinic offers effective services for a variety of pests – including flies, bed bugs, cockroaches, and more. With our quality pest control services helmed by NEA-certified professionals, you can guarantee a safe and fly-free home. Do not hesitate to contact us at +65 6397 5677 for inquiries on our pest control solutions.