can produce a generation in less than two weeks. In many areas of Florida the house fly breeds continually throughout the year. It has a complete metamorphosis with distinct egg, larva or maggot, pupae and adult stages. House fly eggs are laid in almost any type of warm organic matter, which makes animal manure, among other materials, a very common breeding medium.

The eggs, which are laid in clusters of 75-100, hatch within 24 hours into tiny larvae or maggots. In 4-6 days the larvae migrate to drier portions of the breeding ground and pupate. The pupae stage may vary in length, but in warm weather it can take about three days. Warm summer conditions are optimal for its development, and it can complete its life cycle in as little as seven to ten days. As many as 10 to 12 generations may occur annually in temperate regions, while in tropical or subtropical regions more than 20 generations may occur!

Along with being a major nuisance, flies also pose a major health concern. Although this particular species doesn’t bite, they can transmit pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa and nematodes. Pathogenic organisms are picked up from garbage, sewage and other sources of filth, and then transferred on their mouthparts through their regurgitation, feces and contaminated body parts to human and animal food.

The movement of flies from animal or human feces to food that will be eaten uncooked by humans is a particular concern. Also, when consumed by flies, some pathogens can be harbored in the mouthparts or alimentary canal for several days, and then be transmitted when flies defecate or regurgitate.

In conditions where plumbing is poor or lacking, such as outhouses or portable bathrooms, serious health problems can develop, especially if there are outdoor food markets, hospitals, or slaughterhouses nearby. Among the pathogens commonly transmitted by house flies are Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, Escherichia, Enterococcus, Chlamydia, and many other species that can cause serious illness. These flies are most commonly linked to outbreaks of diarrhea and shigellosis, but also are implicated in transmission of food poisoning, typhoid fever, dysentery, tuberculosis, anthrax, ophthalmia, and parasitic worms.

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