Why Do Flies Go Dormant?
WouterIf you’ve ever wondered why flies don’t fly around your house during the winter, it’s probably because the chilly season slows their metabolism. This allows them to hold on to fat. This means that they don’t need to expend a lot of energy to survive. However, flies will still buzz around your windows on sunny days, because they are trying to find warmth. As the fall weather turns warmer, they may reawaken from their hibernation.
If you don’t want to spend the winter with flies, you should make sure you keep your windows and doors shut. Keep in mind that many flies cannot survive freezing temperatures. While some species may go dormant, most common ones do not. Their survival depends on shelter and food. If you have a home with a drafty window, you should cover it with a screen. Cluster flies will seek warm, secluded areas. During this time, they will be less likely to reproduce and cause any real damage. They may also come out in the spring on warm, sunny days.
Once a potential fly has reached the pupa stage, they will spend seven to ten days in their pupal stage. During this stage, they stop moving and feeding. Instead, they develop a hard shell to protect themselves from predators. Once the pupa stage is complete, they’ll emerge as winged, legged, antennaed adult flies. Their lifespan is about 15-30 days and includes many different stages.
