Flies: Facts, Identification & Control

Flies can regularly be found in homes and businesses across Australia. Some species are more common than others and are attracted to different environments suited to their natural habits and lifecycle. Knowing about the size, habits, seasonality and lifecycle of different fly species, can help to identify the most effective prevention and fly control methods.

FACT: On average, the adult housefly will live for around 30 days. They go through a complete four-stage cycle that consists of egg, larva, pupa and adult stages.

Horse Fly (Family tabanidae)

Horse flies are a particular pest to livestock. Relentless biting attacks by females can result in reduced weight gain in some animals. Male horse flies are mainly pollen and nectar feeders and are most active during daylight hours. Horse fly bites can be very painful for humans too.They have mouth parts that work like miniature knives, which they use to slash open the skin with a scissor–like motion.

Bluebottle Fly (Calliphora vomitoria)

Bluebottle flies (also known as Blow fly) can often be seen hovering around dustbins. These scavengers are attracted to pet faeces and dead animals and as such are known carriers of disease.

Their name originates from their iridescent colours that are similar to coloured bottles.

Cluster Fly (Pollenia rudis)

Cluster flies are commonly found in quiet, undisturbed parts of your home, such as attics and wall voids. They require warm places to hibernate over winter. You may see a large group of cluster flies around a window, as they are attracted to the light on sunny winter days.

Fruit Fly (Drosophila species)

Fruit flies are commonly found infesting fruit or hovering around fermenting residues found in pubs, fruit orchards & vegetables plots and breweries

House Fly (Musca domestica)

House flies are major carriers of disease and can infest all types of premises. They are attracted to all types of food, including human food, pet food, animal feed, food waste and even faeces. Seeing adult flies is usually the most common sign of activity and a potential problem. Larvae may also be seen as they crawl out of breeding material to pupate.

Reasons to contact Pest Disturbers your pest control expert.

We are your pest professionals and are fully trained to understand your immediate issue and investigate the cause of the problem to prevent in future.

Our experience allows us to be very careful inside your house and work with family members, to achieve the desired outcome-the removal of pests.