Can Flies Kill Humans?

Flies are fascinating creatures. Most flies are harmless, but there are some that can kill humans. Most flies are members of the order Diptera, which means two wings. While most winged insects have four wings, most flies only have two wings. All flies feed on organic material and are attracted to it. Some species, like filth flies, are beneficial scavengers but also pose health risks.

Flies are known to spread several diseases, including cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. Their digestive juices carry pathogens. If you’ve ever been exposed to a flies’ droppings, you’ll know how dangerous they can be.

While some types of flies don’t lay their eggs on humans, many will lay their eggs on other insects or objects that people come in contact with. In some cases, flies can pass their eggs to humans by way of mosquitoes. When the eggs hatch, the larvae will burrow under the skin and may itch and hurt. Eventually, the larvae will burrow out of the host, causing a red bump.

If you have a house full of flies, you should take steps to prevent them from spreading diseases. Some house flies can cause epidemic conjunctivitis and even cutaneous diphtheria. They can also carry the pathogens causing dysentery and food poisoning.