What Should House Flies Eat?
WouterThe female house fly lays an egg and then develops into a maggot. A maggot is a legless, worm-like larva. The eggs are laid by the female fly in a warm, moist environment. This can be manure, compost, wet garbage, and animal feces. The larva develops into an adult fly in about 7 days.
Unlike humans, house flies are scavengers that eat organic matter. Because they don’t have teeth, they can’t chew or swallow solid food. They have a spongy tongue, which turns solid foods into liquid. Pet waste, especially dog and cat waste, is a common source of food for them. Since this food has a strong odor, house flies will travel up to 20 miles to find it. Pet areas are also common places for them to breed.
House flies eat a variety of foods, including leftovers and pet food. They also eat garbage and decaying organic matter. They prefer the smell of decaying matter and meat over fresh foods. However, house flies will also eat anything that has a pungent odor.
If you’re concerned about the presence of flies in your house, the best way to prevent them is to keep your home clean. Keeping a compost heap away from your house is another way to keep the flies at bay. Make sure to turn the heap frequently and keep it from becoming too wet. Flies love stagnant water and warm, wet spots.
