Flies are a group of winged insects that include many common pests. Houseflies, mosquitoes, and gnats are all examples of flies. Domestic flies are those commonly found around homes and businesses. Flies may carry disease or just be annoying.
FLY BIOLOGY
Domestic flies all have a similar life cycle. There are four stages of growth -egg, larva (or maggot), pupa, and adult. Depending upon the type of fly, it may take about one to four weeks for the cycle to be completed. Eggs are laid by the female fly onto breeding material, usually dead animal or vegetable material. Most flies prefer the breeding material to be moist, but not liquid. Eggs can hatch very quickly, about 12 hours, after being laid.
The larva is a small, white or cream colored, worm-like stage that hatches from the egg. The larva burrows into the breeding material where it feeds and grows for several days. Usually, the larva leaves the breeding material and moves to a dry, protected place just before becoming a pupa.
House Fly Life Cycle
The pupa is an inactive stage, like a cocoon, in which the adult fly develops. After leaving the pupal case, adult flies mate and the females begin to lay eggs. Adult flies may live for several weeks.
There are three types of domestic flies commonly found around homes and businesses - houseflies, bottle or blowflies, and flesh flies.
 Houseflies are grey and black with four black stripes on the back. They are about 1/4 inch long. Eggs are laid on decomposing organic matter, either plant or animal. Female houseflies lay, eggs in batches of 50-100, and as many as 500 eggs may be laid in a lifetime. Depending upon the temperature, it may take as little as 10 days from egg to adult.
A very similar-looking relative of the housefly is the stable fly, sometimes called the dog fly. It is unlike other domestic flies because it actually bites and sucks blood. It breeds in decaying vegetation and can be common around livestock. Sometimes it becomes abundant at the beach where it breeds in rotting marsh vegetation or seaweed that has been washed ashore.
 Blow or bottle flies have bodies with shiny metallic colors such as bronze, blue, or green. Adult flies are about '/4-inch long. Blowflies will lay eggs on any organic matter, but strongly prefer animal flesh. Eggs are laid in clumps, and a female may lay hundreds in a lifetime. Despite what is commonly thought, meat does not need to be spoiled to attract these flies. Blowflies will lay eggs on freshly cooked meat. In fact, blowflies may even infest the wounds of living animals.
Sometimes when animals die in a crawlspace of a home, blowflies may breed in the carcass and the adult flies enter the house.
 Flesh flies are grey and black with three black stripes on the back. They are about as long and resemble large houseflies. As suggested by their name, they strongly prefer to breed in animal flesh. Unlike the other flies mentioned, flesh flies do not lay eggs, but small maggots. Flesh flies, like blowflies, will infest fresh meat, cooked or uncooked.
Two other flies may be common pests in homes or businesses.
Fruit flies are strongly attracted to the odor of rotting fruit and will sometimes be found around wine or vinegar. They may breed in overripe fruit or dirty trash containers.
Drain flies are small and dark grey. They are very hairy-looking and may sometimes be called moth flies. These flies are most common in the bathroom. They breed in the slimy layer that forms inside the drainpipes of sinks or tubs. Removing that slime layer with a brush will end drain fly problems.
FLIES AND DISEASE
Besides contaminating food with eggs and maggots, flies can carry bacteria that cause intestinal diseases. Flies can travel from fecal material to our food very easily, carrying bacteria with them on body hairs or the sticky pads on their feet. When feeding, flies expel saliva and feces that may also contain bacteria. Sometimes flies will lay eggs or maggots on the flesh or wounds of man and animals.
Sanitation The key to fly control is sanitation. Adult flies are attracted by the odors of food or trash. Organic material may serve as food for adult flies or as a breeding place for fly larvae. Trash should be placed into bags and stored in sound trashcans with tight-fitting lids. Trashcans and dumpsters must be kept clean. Food scraps and spilled beverages will attract flies. Decaying organic material, like animal droppings, which might be a breeding place for flies should be removed.
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