HOUSE FLY CONTROL 



By F. C. Bishopp, assistant chief in charge of research, and L. 8. Henderson, 

 entomologist, Division of Insects Affecting Ma?i and Animals, Bureau of Ento- 

 mology and Plant Quarantine, Agricultural Research Administration 



House flies carry disease and filth. All sorts of germs can be found 

 on their hairy legs and feet, and in their digestive tracts. They 

 spread dysentery and typhoid, as well as intestinal worms. They are 

 also very annoying to people and livestock. 



We can control these pests by preventing them from breeding. 

 Those that develop in spite of our efforts to prevent them, we must 

 destroy or exclude from our homes. 



How Flies Live 



It is easier to control house flies if we know how they live. House 

 flies lay their eggs in manure and fermenting vegetable matter. They 

 feed upon and breed freely in the moist excrement of horses, hogs, 

 chickens, and man. Garbage, fermenting farm wastes, and cattle 

 manure, especially if mixed with straw, are also favorable breeding 

 places. From 2 to 21 egg masses, each containing about 130 eggs, may 

 be deposited by one female during a lifetime of 2 to 12 weeks. 



The white eggs, which are 'laid in cracks in the manure, hatch in 

 10 to 24 hours. The larvae, or maggots, complete their growth in 3 

 to 7 days. They are then creamy white and about one-half inch long. 

 They crawl to the edges of the manure pile; some may burrow into 

 the soil near the breeding material, and the rest seek other suitable 

 places in which to change to adult flies. While this change is taking 

 place, the insects are in the pupal, or resting, stage. The barrel-shaped 

 pupae are yellowish at first and dark brown later. In warm weather 

 the pupal stage lasts from 3 to 6 days, but in cold weather it may 

 last many weeks. When this change is completed, the adult flies push 

 open the end of the pupal case, work their way to the surface, spread 

 their wings, and are soon ready to fly away. They mate and the 

 females are ready to lay eggs in 2% to 20 days after emergence. 



Prevent Flies From Breeding 



The first step in the control of house flies is to keep them from 

 breeding. There are several ways to do this. Choose the methods 

 that best fit your local conditions and needs. 



Issued May 1939 

 Revised April 1930 



