Flies are one of the world's most common and persistent insects, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. A huge part of controlling the fly population in your backyard is understanding the life cycle of a fly. Once you have a better understanding of the fly growth stages, you can develop a plan to get rid of them once and for all.
Stages in the Fly Life Cycle
Before we can answer the question “how long do flies live?” we should get into the four individual phases of their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Understanding what comes with each stage of the fly life cycle will help you develop an effective plan to control them with a targeted approach.
Egg Stage of the Fly Life Cyle
A fly’s life starts when the female lays up to 150 eggs in or on decaying matter, such as garbage, rotting food, or feces. And this little fly won’t stay an egg for long as they often hatch within 8 to 24 hours.
Larva (Maggot) Stage
The larva, or maggot, is the next stage in the life cycle of a fly. During this stage, flies don’t look like what most people are used to seeing. These maggots are legless and pale, resembling a worm more than a fly.
This larva stage lasts for about three to five days. During this time, the larvae eat and molt multiple times, preparing to grow into a pupa.
Pupa Stage
Once the larva has enough energy, it develops a protective shell called a puparium. The fly stays in the pupa stage for up to six days before turning from a larva into an adult fly.
Adult Fly Stage
Finally, the pupa emerges, and an adult fly is born. Its lifespan is relatively short, generally lasting only up to 30 days. During this time, the adult fly’s main goal is to reproduce and continue the cycle.
Factors That Influence Fly Development and Lifespan
Like any other form of life, several factors influence a fly’s development and lifespan. Understanding these factors is the key to understanding how to control your outdoor spaces of these pesky and noisy insects.
Temperature and Environmental Conditions
Flies thrive in warmer environments. They like it best when the temperatures range between 75℉ and 85℉, which is why you often see so many of them at summer barbeques and pool parties.
Anything warmer than that makes it hard for them to function. Anything colder will slow their development and extend the time it takes for them to complete a life cycle. Some flies, like mosquitoes, will go dormant to get through cold spells, whereas others will simply die off.
Humidity also plays a big role in the life cycle of a fly. Since flys need moist conditions to grow, humid environments typically see more flies than dryer ones. When it’s too dry, it inhibits their ability to grow, but also their ability to find suitable breeding grounds.
Food Sources and Habitats
There’s a reason why you see so many flies in unsanitary situations. Flies find their nourishment in garbage, rotting food, and feces. It’s their food source!
Keeping your yard clean and sanitary is an important part of interrupting the fly life cycle and eliminating them from your space. When you take away their food source, you take away their ability to live.
How to Control Flies at Each Life Cycle Stage
Stop the fly life cycle before it even starts with simple measures - regardless of what type of fly you’re dealing with:
- Clean up after yourself and always wipe down heavily trafficked areas like kitchen counters to reduce breeding opportunities.
- Properly remove and dispose of all waste, garbage, and rotting food.
- Keep food and waste contained inside of your home and keep cans for your garbage outside closed.
- Regularly hose down your garbage cans to avoid decaying matter to stick to any parts of your trash cans.
Should you notice larvae or pupas, destroy them immediately and clean the surrounding areas.
Are adult flies pestering you, don’t worry! Installing fly screens on your windows and doors can help prevent them from entering your home. Have they already found their way inside, installing traps or electric fly killers can help control them.
Is your outdoor DIY fly control not working? You can always call a professional! Our Mosquito Joe® services can help exterminate flies or prevent future infestations. With years of experience and a solid nationwide reputation, you can rest assured that we’ll get the job done right!
If that’s not enough to convince you, we also give you extra peace of mind by backing our services with the Neighborly Done Right Promise™ and the Mosquito Joe Satisfaction Guarantee! We believe in our solutions and know you will, too. Schedule your free estimate with Mosquito Joe today!
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Mosquito Joe is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact your local Mosquito Joe location for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.
