Description
House flies are normally found in greatest numbers during the summer months. House flies are less than 1/4 - 3/8 inch in length and have four dark stripes down the back of their thorax. They are a possible health risk since they are often found in garbage and manure. They have sponging mouthparts so they cannot eat solid food. House flies regurgitate digestive fluids onto food and then sponge up the digested liquid meal.

Habitat
These flies are often found around garbage, manure, dead animals and rotting food. – all breading sites for house flies. Indoors house flies have been seen breeding in trash containers that have not been cleaned for a while and also in rotting vegetables. House flies will rest on walls, floors, and ceilings during the day. At night, they rest near its favorite food source.

Life Cycle
Each adult female begins laying eggs a few days after hatching, laying a several batches of 100 to 150 small white oval eggs. Eggs are laid in warm, moist, organic materials such as manure, garbage, fruits, and other decaying matter.  In about 24 hours, the eggs hatch into larvae (maggots) which are cream colored.  These larvae grow and pupate in 4 to 7 days in warm weather. Under favorable summertime conditions, house flies can complete their development from egg to adult in as little as 7 days.

Health Concerns
House flies serve as carriers of disease due to their fondness for feeding on animal wastes, garbage, and decaying materials. House flies are known to carry bacteria and viruses that cause conditions such as diarrhea, cholera, food poisoning, yaws, dysentery, typhoid fever, hepatitis, polio, tuberculosis, anthrax, eye infections, and many types of parasitic worms.

Control
Tightly seal garbage containers. Screen windows in summer. Use fly paper or traps to attract and capture flies. Caulk or cover all openings into a home to prevent flies from entering.