Why Do Flies Rub Their Hands Together?

Flies rub their hands together for a variety of reasons. They may be trying to get clean, sanitize their hands, or disperse heat. Whatever the reason, the action seems to be very common in flies. You may even have seen them rub their hands together on food or when they’re trying to attract a female fly. Whatever the reason, you should pay attention when you see flies rubbing their hands together.

It’s not just dirt that flies are rubbing their hands on, but flies are also epic self-groomers. Keeping their hands and legs clean helps them taste their surroundings. Interestingly, different species of flies taste different substances. While some species of flies will eat dust or dead insects, others will eat pollen grains.

Another explanation for why flies rub their hands together is that flies clean themselves by rubbing them against their hind legs and wings. This is similar to the way humans wash their hands after touching something dirty. Insects also clean themselves by licking their paws after going to the bathroom or outside.

Flies are notorious for their dirtiness. Their hands and limbs are covered with hundreds of tiny hairs that they use to groom themselves. They also use their claws to clean their head, eyes, and torso. Their goal is to clean these body parts so they can fly freely and find food.

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