Fly Lifespan | How Long Do Flies Live For?

Are flies driving you crazy? Flies are at their worst in the late summer and early fall seasons. The number of flies you will see swarming inside your home can depend on many factors, including whether you live near a pasture or other areas that draw them. It starts as one fly and quickly multiplies overnight, but you can expect to have some encounters, regardless of how infrequent, during these active seasons.

Did you know that there are more than 150,000 species of flies that entomologists have identified? Thankfully, you will only deal with a handful of varieties in New Jersey. The most common fly you will see is the house fly, which can be an ever-present pain in its prime seasons.

If there’s a silver lining to the dark cloud of flies moving into your home, it’s the fact that they don’t live long. These insects are known for having a rapid life cycle, so most will live a mere number of days. The lifespan varies greatly depending on their environment and things like the availability of food.

The Four Stages of Metamorphosis

Flies go through four stages of metamorphosis: egg, larva, and pupa, and they finally reach adulthood. In the egg stage, a female fly finds a location perfect for laying her eggs. She will choose decaying organic matter as a favorable site. As an egg, the young flies will be inside their protective shell for up to a week, but most will hatch within a few days.

The next stage in their metamorphosis is the larva, which is maggots. Once the egg hatches, the larvae will feed on the organic materials where their eggs are laid. The mother was very purposeful in where she placed her eggs, as she knew she wouldn’t be around to feed her young. The young flies will be in this larval stage for a week or more.

The pupal stage occurs once the larvae have completed their feeding phase. The larvae will pupate into a protective casing for the final stages of their metamorphosis. It can take many days or weeks at this stage, as it depends on the environment. After the pupal phase is complete, the fly will reach adulthood.

How Long Do Flies Live?

Since there are so many varieties of flies, it’s hard to pinpoint and say how long they live due to the variations. However, the average housefly will live anywhere from 15-30 days, sometimes even less. The AC in your home might feel good to you, but remember, flies prefer warmer weather and thrive in these circumstances.

When flies enter your home, you’ll often find them lying around dead a few days later, as the atmosphere in your home is not conducive to their survival. Consequently, if you have food lying around or keep your home on the warmer side, these flies can last much longer than average. Entomologists have found 26 species that frequent this area, and here’s basic information and their anticipated lifespan:

Band-Winged Crane Fly

This fly is known for its hallmark appearance, which has brown or yellowish hues with dark bands around it. They prefer moist areas, so they’re most abundant in areas with ponds, lakes, and gardens. These flies live around 10-15 days.

Black Horse Fly

Nobody likes horse flies, primarily since they’re known to bite. These large flies prefer open meadows, as they feed on cows, horses, and other animal blood. You’ll likely see them if you live near such an area. They do have some benefits, as they help to promote healthy ecosystems. This pest can live longer than most, at 30-60 days.

American Salmonfly

There’s nothing more annoying than a fly buzzing around your head. The American Salmonfly is known for getting in your ears and letting off that annoying sound. They prefer to be around areas of moisture, as they feed on aquatic insects. You’ll most likely encounter these pests if you have a day at the beach or a lake. Their lifespan is 3-4 years, making them one of the longest living among flies.

Housefly

When you get flies inside your home, the most likely culprit is the housefly. This species has various color variations, but don’t worry because they won’t be there for long. These flies are notorious for transferring food-borne illnesses to humans, but they only live for 15-25 days.

Greenhead Flies

These flies are aggressive and commonly found along the Jersey Shore. If you tangle with one of them, you’ll certainly know it. While they don’t spread disease, they can leave a welt on your skin. You can expect these insects to live for 3-4 weeks.

Mosquitoes

You may find it shocking to realize that mosquitoes are classified as flies. These tiny bloodsuckers are known for spreading diseases like the West Nile Virus. Thankfully, they don’t live long, with 2-3 weeks being their average lifespan.

Fruit Fly

Fruit flies get their name because you often see them swarming around the fruit inside your home. These tiny flies are light brown to yellowish, with big red eyes that make it hard to mistake their species. The male varieties have black dots on their wings, but they’re so small you’ll likely not see those features. Fruit flies live around 40-50 days and will live even less if you don’t have decaying matter for them to eat.

Deer Fly

Deer flies are a nuisance and can present a problem to humans and cattle, as they love to bite. These flies are large, like horse flies, and they’re known for their compound eyes that come in various colors. The deer fly will live for around 30-60 days.

BlowFly

If you see a fly with a metallic bluish-green color buzzing around your home, it’s likely a blowfly. They love contaminated meat, so hopefully, your home won’t be where they come to stay. These colorful flies only live 3-4 weeks on average.

Filth Fly

The filth fly gets its name because it loves trash. If you leave trash sitting too long inside your home, you’ll likely have a battle with these pests. These flies are gray or black and only live about 15-30 days.

Fly-Borne Diseases: A Concern for Health

Flies are known for carrying various diseases that pose health risks to humans and animals. They can transmit pathogens by landing on contaminated surfaces and transferring the bacteria to food or even to humans. Some of the diseases associated with flies include:

Salmonellosis: Flies can transmit Salmonella bacteria, causing symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever in humans.
Cholera: Certain flies can carry Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium responsible for cholera, a severe gastrointestinal infection.
E. coli Infections: Flies can transfer E. coli bacteria, leading to symptoms ranging from mild gastrointestinal discomfort to severe illness.
Typhoid Fever: Houseflies can carry Salmonella Typhi, the bacterium responsible for typhoid fever, which causes high fever, weakness, and gastrointestinal distress.
Dysentery: Flies can transmit bacteria like Shigella, which causes dysentery, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
Other Infections: Flies can also transmit pathogens causing eye and skin infections, and more.

The Need for Pest Control

Having an infestation of flies in your home can cause significant health risks due to their potential to transmit diseases. A large fly population can quickly increase these risks, mainly when hygiene and waste management are not adequately maintained. Beyond health concerns, fly infestations can also be a nuisance, disrupting outdoor activities, contaminating food, and affecting the overall quality of life.

When faced with a fly infestation, pest control intervention becomes essential. Effective pest control strategies include:

Sanitation: Proper waste management, eliminating food sources, and keeping indoor and outdoor spaces clean can discourage fly breeding.
Exclusion: Sealing entry points and maintaining screens can help prevent flies from entering buildings.
Chemical Solutions: In severe cases, professional pest control services may use targeted treatments to manage fly populations and prevent infestations.

As your local pest control professionals, we are committed to helping New Jersey residents maintain a healthy, pest-free environment. Our expertise extends to identifying the types of flies present, implementing tailored solutions, and providing guidance on preventive measures to avoid future infestations.

In conclusion, flies are more than just a nuisance – they can carry diseases and pose health risks to humans and animals. Understanding their lifecycles, seasonal trends, and potential dangers empowers us to take proactive measures. If you find yourself battling a fly infestation, remember that timely intervention from experienced pest control professionals can help safeguard your health and the well-being of your community.

Don’t let fly populations take flight – contact us today to explore our comprehensive pest control services and ensure a safer, healthier living environment for you and your loved ones.

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