Fly Lifespan: How Long Do Flies Live and Tips for Getting Rid of Pesky Flies

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The thread discusses participants' experiences and thoughts regarding the lifespan of flies and various methods for dealing with them. Participants share personal anecdotes about encounters with flies and express their frustrations and humor related to the issue.

Discussion Character

  • Anecdotal
  • Opinion-based

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses frustration over a persistent fly in their home, humorously suggesting it might be a spy sent by their mother-in-law.
  • Another participant shares their belief that flies live only a few days to a week, mentioning issues with ants at their mother-in-law's house.
  • One participant shares their dislike for flies and mentions using a Super Swat tool, while also recalling a negative experience with sticky strips.
  • Another participant states that they believe flies live forever, reflecting a common sentiment of annoyance.
  • A participant cites information from a zoology website, noting that under optimal conditions, female houseflies can live up to 70 days, while males can live up to 60 days, and that their lifespan is shorter in natural conditions.
  • One participant suspects that flies may go dormant during winter, sharing a humorous observation about large flies appearing in spring.
  • Several participants express disgust at the presence of flies while trying to eat, highlighting the unpleasantness of picnics with flies and ants.
  • One participant notes the sneaky behavior of flies, suggesting that while one is distracted, others may enter the house unnoticed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Views differ on the lifespan of flies, with some participants sharing anecdotal experiences and others providing information from external sources. There is no clear consensus on the best methods for dealing with flies.

Contextual Notes

Participants share personal experiences and humorous observations related to flies, reflecting a common annoyance among those dealing with them in home and outdoor settings.

Who May Find This Useful

Members of the consultant community who encounter similar frustrations with flies and are interested in sharing experiences or seeking light-hearted discussions on the topic.

acrylicjen
Messages
26
:mad: I have a fly in the house that we have all been trying to get all weekend.The thing wont die, wont fly outside, and WONT LEAVE us alone!!! Its driving me nuts.:eek: Staring to think its an industrial strength spy sent by my MIL:p .Any idea on fly life span? anyone? or ideas on how to destroy a cast iron one?:confused:
 
i thought it was just a few days or a week some thing like that. they are so bad at my mil's everytime you open the door 3 fly in the house. we are having the biggest problems with ants!! good luck!
 
EEEWWWW:eek:

I HATE FLIES!!!!!!

I bought a Super Swat when it was on the outlet. It is so cute with its little dustpan & tweezers.:rolleyes: I still make DH take care of those things...if he's around. :D

Have you tried spraying him with hairspray....the super freeze stuff?

My late MIL used those sticky strips. I got my hair caught in one I almost hurled in her kitchen:eek: :eek: :eek:
My DH wants me to get those...NO WAY!!!!
 
Personally, I think they live FOREVER!
 
This from a zoology website: "Under optimum conditions females houseflies (Musca domestica) can live up to 70 days, males up to 60 days. Larval and pupal stages take about 10 days of these days. Under natural conditions life span is much much shorter down to 1-2 weeks for both sexes." Ugh! They live a lot longer than I thought! We put those sticky strips on the windows (as they see the light and want to get out). Works every time.

Trish in Texas
Independent Consultant
 
I suspect they go dormant, too. Every Spring, I seem to have about three that are the size of a Buick and lumber along like a local freight train. They're easy enough to nail, because they're so slow, but where were they all winter? (Eeeeyeeewwwww!)
 
I'm trying to eat my lunch. This is gross!
 
The_Kitchen_Guy said:
I suspect they go dormant, too. Every Spring, I seem to have about three that are the size of a Buick and lumber along like a local freight train. They're easy enough to nail, because they're so slow, but where were they all winter? (Eeeeyeeewwwww!)
LOL
:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
 
The_Kitchen_Guy said:
What's a picnic without ants and flies?
More pleasant?
 
They are also very sneaky! It is possible that while you are preoccupied with the main fly, there's another fly at the back of your house letting in all his friends!
 
Christ Follower said:
They are also very sneaky! It is possible that while you are preoccupied with the main fly, there's another fly at the back of your house letting in all his friends!
ROFLMBO!!!!!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do common house flies live?

Common house flies typically live for about 15 to 30 days, depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and availability of food. Under optimal conditions, some may live longer.

What factors influence the lifespan of flies?

The lifespan of flies can be influenced by several factors, including temperature, humidity, food availability, and the presence of predators. Warmer temperatures generally accelerate their life cycle, while a lack of food can shorten their lifespan.

What are some effective methods to get rid of flies?

Effective methods to get rid of flies include maintaining cleanliness by removing food waste, using fly traps, employing natural repellents like essential oils, and sealing entry points to prevent them from entering your home.

Can flies reproduce quickly, and how does this affect infestations?

Yes, flies can reproduce rapidly; a female house fly can lay up to 500 eggs in her lifetime. This quick reproduction can lead to large infestations if not addressed promptly, as new generations can emerge within a week.

Are there any natural remedies to deter flies?

Yes, natural remedies to deter flies include using essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, and lavender, as well as placing basil or mint plants around your home. These scents can help repel flies and reduce their presence.

Back
Top