It is estimated that there are over 100,000 species of flies in the world. Luckily, the vast majority of these flies are not in our area. However, there are some species that are relatively common. Here is a look at the most common species in our area:
Blow or Bottle Fly
Blow Flies are about the size of a House Fly at 1/8 to 5/8 of an inch long. They have sponging mouthparts and unique antenna that are feathery towards the bottom. The adults are partly or completely metallic shades of blue, green, or brass. They can be black occasionally as well.
The larvae look a bit different. They are slightly larger at 9 to 22 millimeters long. The larvae do not have eyes or legs and are tapered and rounded from head to tail. They are yellow to white in color.
Cluster Fly
Cluster Flies are a little bit larger than the common House Fly at 1/2 inch long. They are distinguishable by their black color and yellow hairs on the thorax. Their wings overlap whenever they are resting.
If you have a Cluster Fly problem, you likely will never see the larvae. The eggs and larvae are deposited in the soil around earthworm burrows. The earthworms become the larvae’s source of food.
Cluster Flies are a serious nuisance. They often survive the winter by hibernating in different voids around your home, such as within the wall, attic, or basement. Though they are inactive during the winter, they become super active and annoying during the summer. Often, Cluster Flies get into homes by entering through small cracks in foundation, vents, and gaps.
Drain Fly
Drain Flies also go by the name Moth Flies. They can be anywhere from 1/5 to 1/6 of an inch long. They are Gray or dark in color. If you look under a microscope, you will also see that the Drain Fly is fuzzy all over the body and has large wings.
Drain Flies get their name from where they lay their eggs. The females prefer to lay their eggs within drains that have an overflowing population of moist, organic matter. As such, Drain Flies are often found around overflow pipes or garbage disposals. The larvae are about 3/8 of an inch long and look more like worms given that they are legless.
Drain Flies do not bite, but they are still a big nuisance because their populations grow quickly.
Fruit Fly
Fruit Flies are commonly seen alongside Vinegar Flies. They are about 1/8 of an inch long, including their wings. The antennae include feathery bristles, while the wings have thick margins. These flies can be tan, brownish yellow, or brownish black. The eyes are distinctively red.
Mature larvae are between 1/4 and 3/8 of an inch long. They do not have eyes or legs, and they are tapered with dark mouth hooks on the head. The larvae are almost completely white. Only the mouth hooks are black and the abdominal breathing pores are yellow.
House Fly
The House Fly is one of the most common flies in the area. It is about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch long. The females are always longer than the males. These flies have two velvety stripes around the head, silver above the head and gold below. The thorax also has four stripes, but it lacks a pale spot. The abdomen is usually pale, though the adult is generally dull gray.
Larvae House Fly are between 1/4 and 3/8 of an inch long. Like the other larva, these larvae are eyeless and legless. Its body is tapered from the rear and has a pair of hooks. The larva is cream colored and somewhat greasy looking.
