Description
All flies are 2-winged insects belonging to the insect order Diptera. Some familiar members of this group are crane flies, fruit flies, blue bottle flies, house flies, hover flies, mosquitoes, and gnats. Depending on the species, adult flies feed on other insects, blood, nectar, or liquids from decaying organic matter; some adult flies do not eat at all. Immature flies, called maggots, are legless creatures that lead a life quite different from the adults. Many live in and feed on moist decaying organic material such as compost, animal manure, and garbage. Others are beneficial parasites or predators of other insects. Some feed on living plants. When the maggots have completed their development they change into brownish pupae and finally emerge as adults. Some flies complete their life cycle in days, while others may take a full year. Flies can transmit diseases to humans through their bites or as they crawl over food. Some flies are important pollinators, help to decompose decaying matter, help control other insects, and are used as food by other small animals.
Control
Kill household flies indoors with an insecticide containing pyrethrins. Kill flies outdoors with an insecticide containing malathion. For information on flies infesting plants, look under the listing for your plant.
