Housefly (Musca domestica)

• Kingdom: Animals (Animalia)
• Phylum: Arthropods (Arthropoda)
• Class: Insects (Insecta)
• Order: Diptera (Flies)
• Family: True Flies (Muscidae)
• Genus: Musca
• Species: Housefly (Musca domestica)

Size:

• Body length: 5 to 8 mm
• Wingspan: approximately 13 to 15 mm

Look:

• Grey to grey-brown body with four dark longitudinal stripes on the chest.
• Reddish-brown compound eyes
• Wings clear, slightly glossy
• Short bristles on the body, sucking proboscis (non-stinging)

Way of life:

• Active during the day, primarily in warmer seasons
• Flies short distances, but is very active.
• It prefers to stay on walls, windows, food, and animal carcasses.
• Resting positions on ceilings, edges and above dining surfaces

Reproduction:

• Females lay up to 150 eggs per clutch, up to 1000 in their lifetime.
• Egg laying in rotting organic materials (garbage, feces, animal feed)
• Egg to larva development in 1 to 2 days
• The larva (maggot) develops into a pupa in a few days, from which the adult fly hatches.
• Cycle at optimal temperature in only 7 to 10 days

Breeding sites:

• Compost, animal manure, garbage cans, kitchen waste
• Leftover food, rotting food
• Stables, feed troughs, wastewater areas
• Organically contaminated surfaces of any kind

Nutrition:

• It feeds on sugary, fatty, and protein-rich substances.
• Preferably open food, leftovers, sweet drinks
• It also eats feces, waste, and animal secretions.
• It absorbs nutrients through ingested liquid and breaks down solids with saliva.

Behave:

• Very active and loves to fly
• Attracted by light, smell, and heat sources
• It lands on a wide variety of surfaces, from compost heaps to food preparation areas.
• Can mechanically transmit pathogens via legs and body
• Shows little fear of humans, is difficult to drive away.

Psychological stress:

• Annoying flying around during meals or in rest areas
• Negative impression on guests, patients or customers
• A sign of poor hygiene or lack of cleanliness

Rapid reproduction:

• Massive spread possible within a few days
• Breeding sites are often difficult to locate.
• High temperature and humidity promote explosive development

Disease transmission:

• Carriers of bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites
• Transmission of Salmonella, E. coli, Campylobacter, Shigella, worm eggs
• Contamination of food, dishes and surfaces
• Particularly dangerous in hospitals, kitchens and food processing plants

Hygiene measures:

• Dispose of kitchen waste and leftover food immediately.
• Store waste in sealed containers and empty them regularly.
• Clean work surfaces, washing-up areas and pet feeding areas daily.
• Cover compost heaps well

Building protection:

• Insect screens on windows and doors
• Automatic door closers, airlocks or louvered curtains at warehouse entrances
• Use light traps or UV flypaper in a targeted manner

Behave:

• Cover food or store it in a cool place.
• Do not leave pet feeding stations permanently open.
• No food scraps in the garden, on balconies or in open spaces.