How Big Can Flies Get?

If you have ever wondered how big flies can get, you may have been surprised to discover that they can grow quite large. Most adults house flies are about one eighth to one quarter of an inch long. Their dull gray bodies are covered in four black stripes and they have spongy mouthparts. They are most common in the summer.

These opportunistic flies can enter your house through a number of small openings. They tend to congregate on warm surfaces, including windows and electrical outlets, and will crawl into cracks in walls or screens. They are attracted to light that is 50 degrees Fahrenheit and will avoid surfaces that are too dark. However, if you are worried about a large number of flies in your house, you should be aware of their behavior.

Drain flies can be found in plumbing pipes and live in stagnant pools of water. They feed on decaying matter, including sewage. They breed in decaying flesh and excrement, and some species have parasites. The larvae of these flies often migrate before pupation.

True flies belong to the order Diptera. Their life cycle can be as short as eight days. Most flies have four wings. However, the size of these flies can vary.