Last updated on November 15th, 2023 at 11:00 pm

Last Updated on November 15, 2023 by The Bug Experts Team

Flies are a ubiquitous part of our daily lives, buzzing around our homes, gardens, and picnics, it feels like they’re everywhere we go. Over time, various myths and misconceptions about flies have taken root. In this enlightening guide, we will help to dispel common fly myths and unravel the truth about their behavior, lifespan, and impact on our health. By the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll have a clearer understanding of the fact versus the fiction and you’ll better know the truth about flies.

Myth 1: Flies Live for Only 24 Hours

Fact: One of the most persistent myths about flies is that they have a shockingly short lifespan—just 24 hours to be exact. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. While the average housefly’s life is relatively brief, lasting anywhere from 15 to 30 days, factors such as species, environmental conditions, and food availability play significant roles in determining their lifespans. Some flies can live for months. For more info, see our article How Long do Flies Live?.

Myth 2: Flies Have Teeth

Contrary to the popular belief that flies have teeth, they don’t possess any conventional teeth structures. Flies have specialized mouthparts designed for feeding on liquids, not chewing or biting. Their mouthparts consist of a sponging and lapping mechanism that helps them consume fluids. Flies don’t need teeth because their diet mainly comprises liquids, such as nectar, rotten fruits, or even liquids from decomposing matter. When they land on solid food, they regurgitate digestive enzymes onto it, partially liquifying it, and then use their sponge-like mouthparts to absorb the resulting liquid. This process allows them to feed on a wide range of organic materials without the need for teeth.

Myth 3: Flies Puke on Your Food

Fact: The idea that flies vomit on your food when they land on it is not entirely accurate. Flies have a unique way of consuming solid food, which involves regurgitating digestive enzymes to partially liquefy the food and then sucking up the resulting liquid. Flies regurgitate digestive enzymes onto their food source, but it’s not akin to the human act of vomiting. This process helps them break down and predigest the food, making it easier to consume. However, the enzymes they release are not the same as stomach contents, and the process is a way for them to feed efficiently.

Myth 4: Flies Transmit Diseases Instantly

Flies have a reputation as disease carriers, often blamed for the rapid spread of illnesses. While it’s true that they can transmit pathogens, the timeline and mechanisms involved are more complex than commonly believed. Flies can pick up pathogens from various unsanitary sources like garbage, sewage, or animal waste. However, for disease transmission to occur, these pathogens need to multiply in the fly’s body first, a process that can take some time. Furthermore, the pathogens must come into contact with a suitable host or surface, where they can then potentially multiply and cause infections.

Myth 5: Flies Can Transmit HIV

Fact: There’s a misconception that flies can transmit HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). However, this is not true. HIV is a bloodborne virus, and flies lack the physiological mechanisms to transmit it. HIV is primarily spread through activities involving direct contact with infected blood, such as sharing needles or engaging in unprotected sex. While flies can transmit other diseases in some cases, they do not play a role in HIV transmission.

Myth 6: Flies Are Blind

Fact: While it’s true that flies have complex compound eyes that differ from human eyes, they are not blind. Flies have remarkable vision adapted for their needs. Their eyes can detect motion, light intensity, and polarized light, which helps them navigate and find food sources efficiently. However, their vision is not as detailed as that of humans, but it serves them well in their daily activities.

Myth 7: Flies Have a Thousand Eyes

Fact: Flies are often said to have “a thousand eyes” due to their distinctive compound eyes. While these eyes are composed of many small facets, they do not equate to a thousand individual eyes. Instead, the facets work together to form a mosaic image, granting flies a broad field of view, excellent motion detection, and the ability to perceive polarized light.

Flies actually possess two prominent compound eyes, each consisting of 3,000 to 6,000 very small, simple eyes or lenses. These many small eyes work in unison to create a single visual masterpiece. Source: A-Z Animals

Myth 8: Flies Only Eat Solid Food

Fact: Flies are not exclusive solid food consumers. While they primarily feed on liquid substances, they can still ingest solid foods through a process called “regurgitation.” Flies excrete digestive enzymes onto solid foods, turning them into a liquid, which they then consume. This behavior allows them to extract nutrients from a variety of food sources, including both solid and liquid items.

Myth 9: All Flies Are the Same

Fact: Flies represent a diverse group of insects, and they come in various species, each with unique characteristics and behaviors. House flies, fruit flies, blowflies, and horse flies, among others, all belong to the fly family, but they serve different ecological roles and exhibit distinct behaviors. Understanding these differences is essential for effective pest management.

Myth 10: Flies Only Exist in Summer

Fact: While flies indeed become more noticeable in warmer seasons, they don’t disappear in winter. Instead, many fly species adapt to the colder months through various strategies. Some flies overwinter as adults, hiding in sheltered spots, while others spend the winter as pupae or larvae. This enables them to reemerge when the weather warms up, ensuring a year-round presence.

Myth 11: Flies Lay Eggs in Your Skin

Fact: The myth that flies lay eggs in human skin is unfounded. Flies typically lay their eggs on decaying organic matter or in suitable environments for their larvae. While they might be attracted to wounds or sores on animals, they do not lay eggs directly in human skin. Any perceived skin infestations by fly larvae are usually due to other factors.

Myth 12: Flies Are Attracted to Clean Homes

Fact: Flies are attracted to various stimuli, with cleanliness being just one factor. While a clean home may have fewer attractants like exposed food and trash, flies are primarily drawn to moisture, organic material, and warmth. Even the cleanest homes can experience occasional fly visitors, especially if these attractants are present. Some cleaning chemicals with a sweet or fruity scent can actually attract flies.

Myth 13: Swatting Flies Is Effective

Fact: Swatting flies might seem like a logical way to eliminate them, but flies possess incredible agility and quick reflexes. They can often evade swats effortlessly. Effective fly control typically involves other methods like traps, repellents, and sanitation to reduce attractants.

Myth 14: Flies Can Bite Like Mosquitoes

Fact: It’s a common belief that flies can deliver painful bites like mosquitoes. In reality, flies don’t bite in the same way mosquitoes do. Unlike mosquitoes, flies lack the specialized mouthparts designed for piercing and sucking blood. Instead, flies have mouthparts suited for sponging up liquid food.

Flies can, however, feed on human skin secretions, sweat, and sometimes, small amounts of blood from open wounds. Their feeding may feel like a slight pinch or irritation, but it’s not a true bite. So, while flies can be annoying when they land on you, they aren’t biting you in the same sense as mosquitoes. Understanding this distinction can help dispel the myth that flies are voracious biters and provide a more accurate picture of their feeding behavior.

In conclusion, we’ve debunked common myths and unveiled the true nature of flies. These remarkable insects play essential roles in our ecosystem and deserve our understanding and respect. By separating fact from fiction, we can appreciate the complexity of the natural world and its inhabitants. So, as you encounter flies in your everyday life, remember that they are more than just pests; they are essential contributors to our environment. Embrace your newfound knowledge, stay curious, and explore the wonders of the world around you. Understanding the truth about flies is a small but meaningful step toward a deeper connection with nature.