Blowfly

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The Blowfly

Blowflies (Family Calliphoridae) are actually one of around 1100 species of flies that are mainly attracted to meat. They are a common pest worldwide but are mainly found in temperate and tropical areas. Around 80 species of blowflies are found in North America. They are known for their metallic body and irritable buzzing noise. Sighting blowflies indicate that there is rotting or decaying matter nearby. They are known to spread diseases such as dysentery and do so by contaminating food and other items.

HOW TO IDENTIFY BLOWFLIES

Shiny body
How to identify a Blowfly. By Dinesh Valke from Thane, India – … fly :: blowfly, CC BY-SA 2.0,
Metallic coloring
Tiny hairs all over the body
Can have a blue or green tinge
Three-segmented antennae
Large reddish brown compound eyes
Body length 8mm to 10mm
Slightly larger than house flies
Sponge-like mouthparts (in adults)
Hook-like mouthparts (in maggots)
Maggots resemble white worms or grains of rice

Signs and Behavior

Blowflies are found around garbage and decaying areas.
They are attracted to meat and will be the first ones to start consuming dead animals
They are also attracted to plants that smell like meat or rot. They thus end up as pollinators for these plants
Blowflies lay their eggs on dead animals. The female blowfly requires proteins found in carrions to develop and lay eggs.
Blowfly larvae are called maggots and are often found as a layer on rotting meat. Maggot larvae are known as gentles. After hatching, they usually settle in damp, loose soil.
Blowflies have a characteristic flying sound, like a buzz, that is considered annoying by most humans
The blowfly is poikilothermic. Some species thrive well in very warm regions, while others do so in colder areas
Blowflies can smell dead and decaying matter from 1.6m away.
Signs of blowfly infestation of presence include the physical sighting of the flies and presence of maggots on decaying matter nearby
Blowflies swarm and envelop any dead matter in the area – their presence in such cases is indicated by very loud buzzing sounds
They are attracted to dead bodies due to bodily gases, odors, and fluids
Blowflies produce digestive juices to break down food before they consume it

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HOW DO YOU GET BLOWFLIES

If there is wildlife or animal activity around your house, chances are that blowfly frequently the area as well. Dense vegetation often attracts blowflies, as there will decaying matter in it. Garbage bins can also attract blowflies. It is thus important to dispose of leftover meat in tightly closed trash bags. If your pet has an open wound, blow flies can lay eggs in it. Large piles of trash can also attract these flies. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

HOW TO GET RID OF BLOWFLIES

You can prevent blowflies by keeping trash tightly stored in bags. Do not just throw out leftovers (especially meat) outside. Dispose off rotting organic matter (such as vegetable peels) as well. Always clean your trash bin regularly, and check for maggots each time. Check the meat you buy from the store.

To eliminate blowflies, use fly spray or sticky fly traps. If the infestation is very regular and stubborn, contact your local pest exterminator.

Blowfly Facts

A female blowfly can lay 2000 eggs during her short lifespan
The word “blowfly” was first mentioned in William Shakespeare’s plays
Laboratory-raised blowfly maggots are used for cleaning non healing wounds
The stages of blowfly population present on a dead body can indicate how long it has been lying undetected

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