Do Flies Create Nests?

While we may not realize it, flies do not create traditional nests. A nest is a structure made by an animal for laying eggs and protecting the young during their development. Instead, flies create piles of food around the house or on the floor. The food can be anything from leftovers to spills and grease. If you don’t want your home to be a breeding ground for flies, you can take steps to prevent them from coming inside.

Houseflies are one of the most common flies found inside homes. They reproduce quickly and in large numbers. They are able to travel up to 20 miles from where they were hatched, but they usually stay within a mile or so. Houseflies can enter your home through several points, including a cracked window or torn screens.

Female flies lay eggs in moist, dark areas. The eggs hatch in 12 to 24 hours. The eggs are usually gray and four to 7.5 millimeters long. The maggots that hatch from the eggs are pale white and about a quarter of an inch long. The larvae feed off of the eggs and eventually grow to adulthood.

When cluster flies begin to work their way into your home, they tend to cluster together on walls to keep warm. They tend to look for cracks and crevices so that they can hide from the wind. They may also enter through windows, attics, and basements.