Pest Control for Businesses and Homes

Fly Species Identification & Control

Flies are more than just a nuisance — they pose health risks, contaminate food, and can signal more serious hygiene problems. Here’s a breakdown of the most common fly species encountered in UK homes and businesses, how to identify them, and when to call in the professionals.

Fruit Fly (Drosophila spp.)

Appearance: Small, red-eyed flies about 3–4 mm in length.

Behaviour:

• Attracted to rotting or decayed fruit, fermenting liquids like wine, beer, and vinegar.

• Breeds in drains, bins, mop buckets, and garbage disposals.

Risk:

• Fast breeders, difficult to eliminate without identifying breeding sources.

• Can contaminate food and drinks.

Drain Fly / Filter Fly (Psychodidae)

Appearance:

• Tiny (~2mm), fuzzy, grey or dark-coloured.

• Wings appear too large and are held like a roof over the body.

Behaviour:

• Breeds in moist environments like sinks, drains, and showers.

• Adults cluster around windows and lights.

Risk:

• Harmless but unsightly and persistent.

• Indicates underlying moisture and hygiene issues.

House Fly (Musca domestica)

Appearance: 6–7 mm long, grey body, red eyes.

Behaviour:

• Common in kitchens and bins.

• Feeds and lays eggs on waste and decaying material.

Health Risks:

• Transmits dysentery, food poisoning, TB and other illnesses.

• Contaminates food and surfaces via contact.

Lesser House Fly (Fannia canicularis)

Appearance: 5–6 mm, yellowish body with three black thoracic stripes.

Behaviour:

• Females lay eggs in decaying faeces.

• Rapid maggot development (5–7 days).

• Jerky, erratic flight patterns.

Health Risks:

• Carriers of typhoid, cholera, dysentery, anthrax.

• Thrive in livestock areas and around human waste.

Cluster Fly (Pollenia rudis)

Appearance: 8 mm, dark grey with golden hairs on the thorax.

Behaviour:

• Enter homes to hibernate in late summer or autumn.

• Often found in attics, windowsills, and behind curtains.

Removal Methods:

• Vacuuming

• Citronella wicks

• Sealing entry points

• Professional fogging or smoke treatments

• Electric fly killers

Note: Dead flies may accumulate and cause bad odours.

Bluebottle / Blowfly (Calliphoridae family)

Appearance: Large, metallic blue or green bodies. Buzz loudly when flying.

Behaviour:

• Attracted to dead animals, meat waste, and animal faeces.

• Eggs hatch into maggots that develop quickly (6–11 days to adult at 20°C).

Health Risks:

• Indicate poor waste management or hidden carcasses.

• Can contaminate food and surfaces.

Crane Fly (Tipulidae)

Appearance:

• Resembles a large mosquito with long legs.

• Colours range from black and red to yellow.

Behaviour:

• Females lay eggs in grass and damp soil.

• Adults are short-lived and fly into homes in late summer/autumn.

Risk:

• Larvae feed on grass roots, damaging lawns.

• Adults are harmless but may be alarming due to their size.

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