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House flies information

The house fly is one of the most familiar and widely found insects. As well as being a major nuisance it is a prime carrier of disease. We do not generally treat for flies.

Its whole body is covered by millions of bacteria which are often transmitted to food and can cause such illnesses as typhus, dysentery, tuberculosis and poliomyelitis. From the time a female is hatched it takes just two weeks until she can lay eggs of her own. Breeding sites are dung heaps, exposed human faeces, all sorts of droppings, rotting garbage and carrion.

House flies are generally found in greatest numbers during the summer months. They are less than a third of an eighth of an inch in length and have four dark stripes down the back of their thorax. They have sponging mouthparts and eat solid food by first liquefying it with their saliva.

What do we treat for and is there a charge?

We do not generally treat for flies. In certain circumstances we may treat for particularly bad infestations of cluster flies, however this treatment will normally only last until the following hibernation season. See the Pests home page for details of which pests we do treat for.

Contact details:

South Derbyshire District Council
Environmental Services
Civic Offices
Civic Way
Swadlincote
Derbyshire
DE11 0AH

Tel: 01283 595795
Fax: 01283 595855
Online: contact form
email: environmental.health@south-derbys.gov.uk

Page ref: IPSV 2504

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