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Are House Flies Dangerous?

Written by PestMan Editorial TeamTechnical review pendingPublished Updated

Quick answer

House flies don’t bite, but they can spread germs. They feed and breed on rubbish, faeces and rotting matter, then land on food and benches, carrying bacteria on their legs and bodies and in their saliva and droppings. Keeping flies off food, covering leftovers and controlling breeding sites around the home reduces the risk of food contamination.

Why this happens

House flies feed by softening food with saliva, and leave droppings where they rest. Because they visit waste as well as food, they can carry bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli between the two.

This is why fly control is part of food safety requirements for food businesses, and why covering food matters at home, especially outdoors and in warm weather.

What you can do

  • Cover food and keep it refrigerated where possible.
  • Throw out food that flies have landed on for long periods, especially meat and dairy.
  • Keep bins sealed, pick up pet waste and manage compost.
  • Use fly screens and self-closing screen doors.
  • Clean benches before preparing food.

When professional help may be needed

Food businesses with ongoing fly problems should use a licensed pest manager as part of their food safety program. At home, removing breeding sites is usually enough.

Flies

Two-winged insects that breed in rotting organic matter. House flies, blowflies, vinegar flies and drain flies each point to a different breeding source, and finding that source is the key to getting rid of them.

Species mentioned

House Fly

Musca domestica

The common grey fly found indoors worldwide. It breeds in rubbish, compost, manure and pet waste, and can carry bacteria onto food.

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Sources & further reading

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