Blow Flies

Blow Fly Pest Control - FAQ's

What are Blow flies?

Blow flies (family - Calliphoridae) are among the most commonly seen flies of this group found in Bristol, due to their amazing metallic colours. Blue Bottles and green bottles in particular are very distinctive and recognisable to most people.

These nuisance flies feed on carrion and decaying organic matter like manure, yet they can also be seen on flowers where they also consume carbohydrate rich nectar.

Blow flies are generally strong, stout, and noisy fliers. They are seen in our homes in autumn when they come indoors to shelter, and over winter and once more when they emerge during the warmer days of spring.

A common site of infestation are lofts, UPVC window frames and the internal cavities of sash windows, although the vast majority of these flies are likely to be cluster flies

Lure based Fly traps are very effective against blow flies, as are electronic fly killers or EFK's as they are more commonly known.

Can Blow Flies Bite?

No.

Are Blow Flies Dangerous?

Blow flies have been associated with a large number of significant diseases. It is the diseases they carry that cause the microbiological contamination of foods and surfaces.

What Diseases Do Blow Flies Spread?

They are important disease vectors, spreading pathogenic micro-organisms that include Dysentery, Salmonella, Typhoid Fever, E-coli and many others as a result of the contact they have with their food of choice - dung and carrion.

How Do Blow Flies Spread Disease?

The Flies carry bacteria on their bodies, and in their droppings. When they settle on a suitable food source or surface they taste it by regurgitating contaminated digestive enzymes (e.g. from dung, sewage and carrion), before lapping them back up. These enzymes or digestive juices are termed proteolytic or protein splitting.