CHAPTER 19 — FLIES

Question 1

What type of metamorphosis do flies undergo?

Answer 1

Complete metamorphosis.

Question 2

What are the four developmental stages?

Answer 2

Egg → larva (maggot) → pupa → adult.

Question 3

Why are flies major health pests?

Answer 3

Transfer bacteria via contaminated body parts.

Question 4

What environmental condition increases fly breeding?

Answer 4

Moisture + decaying organic material.

Question 5

Why do flies develop extremely fast?

Answer 5

Short life cycles, optimal temps in human environments.

Question 6

What is mechanical transmission?

Answer 6

When flies pick up pathogens on legs/mouthparts and spread them.

Question 7

What is the foundation of fly control?

Answer 7

Sanitation + breeding site elimination.

Question 8

Why do ULV fogs not solve indoor fly problems?

Answer 8

They kill adults only — breeding continues.

Question 9

Why is species identification important?

Answer 9

Different flies = different breeding sources.

Question 10

Why are house flies dangerous?

Answer 10

Carry 100+ pathogens on body.

Question 11

Where do house flies breed?

Answer 11

Garbage, manure, decaying organic waste.

Question 12

Development time?

Answer 12

7–10 days in warm weather.

Question 13

Flight behavior?

Answer 13

Erratic loops; rest on edges and corners.

Question 14

Why do house flies like warm air currents?

Answer 14

They help disperse odors → attract flies.

Question 15

What tools help with house flies?

Answer 15

Baits, traps, air curtains.

Question 16

Ideal placement for fly lights?

Answer 16

Away from food-prep areas; not visible from outside.

Question 17

Why not place fly lights near doors?

Answer 17

They attract flies inside.

Question 18

Key sign of house fly contamination?

Answer 18

Regurgitation spots and fecal spots.

Question 19

Why dumpsters must be closed?

Answer 19

Open dumpsters = breeding factory.

Question 20

What color are blow flies?

Answer 20

Metallic green, blue, bronze.

Question 21

Primary breeding substrate?

Answer 21

Animal carcasses.

Question 22

Development time?

Answer 22

Very fast — hours to days.

Question 23

Why do blow flies invade in numbers?

Answer 23

Odor attracts adult flies from long distances.

Question 24

Why do they appear suddenly indoors?

Answer 24

Pupae emerge from carcass in wall void.

Question 25

Control method?

Answer 25

Find and remove carcass.

Question 26

Why aerosols fail long-term?

Answer 26

Larvae remain feeding on carcass.

Question 27

Why inspections must include attic/crawl?

Answer 27

Rodenticide work may cause carcasses.

Question 28

Physical appearance?

Answer 28

Fuzzy, moth-like, heart-shaped wings.

Question 29

Primary breeding site?

Answer 29

Organic sludge in drains.

Question 30

Where commonly found?

Answer 30

Sinks, floor drains, mop sinks, condensate drains.

Question 31

Why do enzyme cleaners help?

Answer 31

Break down organic film larvae feed on.

Question 32

Why bleach doesn’t work?

Answer 32

Doesn’t dissolve sludge or reach larvae.

Question 33

Why test drains with tape?

Answer 33

Identify active breeding inside drain.

Question 34

Why mops contribute to drain flies?

Answer 34

Dirty mop buckets feed larvae.

Question 35

What humidity do drain flies prefer?

Answer 35

Very high — near drain heads.

Question 36

Where might hidden breeding occur?

Answer 36

Cracked drain lines under slab.

Question 37

Why is camera inspection sometimes needed?

Answer 37

Sub-slab breaks cause chronic population.

Question 38

What attracts fruit flies?

Answer 38

Fermentation — alcohol, vinegar, rotting fruit.

Question 39

Where do fruit flies breed?

Answer 39

Organic film in drains, beverage lines, trash, recycling bins.

Question 40

Life cycle length?

Answer 40

8–10 days.

Question 41

Why are they common in bars?

Answer 41

Sugar + alcohol sources.

Question 42

Best control?

Answer 42

Deep sanitation + removing breeding substrates.

Question 43

Why flying adults persist after sanitation?

Answer 43

Adults remain alive for days — must wait out cycle.

Question 44

What traps detect fruit fly species?

Answer 44

Vinegar traps or sticky pheromone stations.

Question 45

Why garbage cans need liners?

Answer 45

Prevent residue buildup.

Question 46

What temperature accelerates fruit flies?

Answer 46

Warm, humid conditions.

Question 47

Why inspect under bar mats?

Answer 47

Hidden moisture pockets.

Question 48

Key ID feature?

Answer 48

Arched thorax (humpbacked).

Question 49

Flight behavior?

Answer 49

Run rapidly, poor fliers.

Question 50

Why phorids indicate serious structural issue?

Answer 50

They breed in raw sewage.

Question 51

Why rotting organic matter also attracts them?

Answer 51

Larvae feed on decaying material.

Question 52

Why insecticides fail?

Answer 52

Breeding continues in sewage.

Question 53

Required correction?

Answer 53

Fix plumbing + sanitize.

Question 54

Response priority?

Answer 54

Plumbing contractor → THEN pest control.

Question 55

Why slab cuts must be checked?

Answer 55

Larvae migrate through cracks.

Question 56

Main breeding site?

Answer 56

Moist potting soil.

Question 57

Why infest homes?

Answer 57

Overwatered indoor plants.

Question 58

Adult behavior?

Answer 58

Weak fliers — hover near plants & windows.

Question 59

Why insecticides fail?

Answer 59

Adults die, larvae remain unless soil treated.

Question 60

Why replacing soil sometimes needed?

Answer 60

Heavy larval load.

Question 61

Cluster fly unique trait?

Answer 61

Golden hairs on thorax.

Question 62

Do cluster flies breed indoors?

Answer 62

No — emergence only.

Question 63

Breeding site?

Answer 63

Carrion — similar to blow flies.

Question 64

Key ID?

Answer 64

3 black stripes on thorax.

Question 65

Why medically important?

Answer 65

Transmit leishmaniasis (global concern).

Question 66

Why painful?

Answer 66

Slice skin to feed on blood.

Question 67

Control method?

Answer 67

Environmental — remove standing water, vegetative overgrowth.

Question 68

Attractants?

Answer 68

Movement + dark colors + CO₂.

Question 69

What is the MOST important factor in fly control?

Answer 69

Sanitation.

Question 70

Why dumpsters must remain closed?

Answer 70

Prevents breeding & fly attraction.

Question 71

Why drain cleaning essential?

Answer 71

Removes larval food.

Question 72

Why fly lights must be maintained?

Answer 72

Dirty glueboards reduce capture rate.

Question 73

Why place fly traps away from food?

Answer 73

Prevent attracting flies into sensitive areas.

Question 74

Why install air curtains?

Answer 74

Prevent flies from entering at doors.

Question 75

Why mop buckets cause flies?

Answer 75

Organic residue fermentation.

Question 76

Why sealing holes near drains matters?

Answer 76

Prevents sub-slab breeding sites.