What Do Blow Flies Look Like?
Blowflies, also known as bottle flies, are slightly larger than the house fly, measuring 8 to 10 mm long. They can be metallic green, blue, black, or bronze in color. Blowflies have six legs, large red compound eyes, one pair of translucent wings, and hairlike bristles covering their body. The blow fly’s wormlike larvae (maggots) are pale yellow to white in color and measure between 9 and 22 mm. They are strong daytime fliers and are most active on sunny days.
What are the Signs of a Blow Fly Infestation?
Blowflies are one of the most common flies found around dead animals. They are often seen around garbage cans, compost piles, animal carcasses, or decaying material. If blowflies are found indoors, it may indicate that something is decaying nearby. Commonly, blowflies may be present because a rodent has died behind a wall or in a crawl space, attracting blowflies from outside. If you can locate the source of the infestation, such as an animal carcass, garbage, or feces, you should remove it from your property.
Blow Fly Control in Milwaukee, WI
Advanced Wildlife and Pest Control offers professional fly control services in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin. Our certified pest exterminators provide reliable, long-lasting solutions to eliminate nuisance blowflies for homeowners and businesses. Our targeted pest treatments and recurring maintenance services will ensure your property remains pest-free throughout the year.
Are Blow Flies Harmful?
Blowflies are generally considered a nuisance pest. These filthy pests breed and feed in unsanitary areas, such as garbage dumpsters and animal carcasses. Blowflies can contaminate food, cooking surfaces, and utensils with harmful pathogens that can cause food poisoning, dysentery, and cholera. Blowflies also reproduce quickly. A single female blowfly can lay up to 2,000 eggs in its short 10-30 day life cycle.
How Can I Prevent Blow Flies?
The following prevention tips will help deter blowflies from your property.
- Store food inside airtight containers or in the refrigerator.
- Inspect and repair door and window screens.
- Remove animal waste in the yard regularly.
- Regularly take out the garbage.
Blow Fly FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
Do blow flies bite?
No, blowflies do not bite or sting humans. They have sponge-like mouthparts designed to absorb and suck up nutrients from decomposing matter. However, blowflies can still pose a health risk to humans. These flies are attracted to garbage and animal carcasses and can pick up harmful pathogens from these sources and spread them to human food.
What is the life cycle of a blow fly?
Blowflies go through a four-stage life cycle, beginning as eggs, then progressing through a larval and pupal stage before emerging as adults. Female blowflies lay their eggs in animal carcasses. The larvae undergo two additional stages before pupating and later emerging as adults. The entire blowfly life cycle can take two to three weeks from eggs to adult to complete, and most adults live from two weeks to a month.