Can Flies Drink Milk?
WouterIf a fly is able to drink milk, the resulting liquid may have antibacterial properties. In fact, it has been observed that dipping house flies in milk reduces microbial load. The study also shows that a fly may have two or more antimicrobial factors on its body.
Fly infestations can be a problem for dairy farms, as houseflies are able to reproduce very quickly. One pound of manure can produce up to 1,500 maggots and a thousand pounds can harbor 1.5 million larvae. In addition, a fly infestation can reduce milk production by 15-30 percent. Moreover, a large number of houseflies can carry diseases and parasites that can affect humans and livestock. The presence of houseflies is also a source of financial hardship for dairy producers, as heavy populations of houseflies can threaten profitability.
Flies usually stay within l/2-2 miles from their source, although they have been known to travel as far as 20 miles in search of food and ovipositional sites. This is why it is important to store food and other items in air-tight containers to avoid attracting flies.
Several different types of flies can be detrimental to dairy production. Large populations can contaminate milk and harm the overall health of dairy cows. To control fly populations, dairy producers should first understand the life cycle of these pests. Most commonly, a female house fly can lay up to 2,000 eggs in a single month, and it takes 10 days for these eggs to fully develop. Therefore, a small population can quickly grow into a large infestation. The best way to get rid of a fly problem is to control it as soon as possible. Houseflies are the most common and prolific fly pest in dairies. They are also known for transmitting disease to humans.
