Flies are one of the most common pests in both residential and commercial settings. While they may be small, these pesky insects can cause a lot of damage, contaminating food sources, and spreading diseases.
But, one of the most common questions people have about flies is whether or not they poop?
This question is completely understandable as we’ve all seen it happen! When a fly lands on our food and then, moments later takes off again. At that point, you start to wonder, did it leave behind a little surprise?
The answer, it turns out, is YES. Flies do in fact poop! Flies eat just like any other animal, and the food they consume is eventually transformed into waste that has to be excreted from the fly’s body at some point.
So what does this mean for us? Well, it means that flies can contaminate our food with their droppings, however, if just one fly landed on your food and had a quick poop it’s considered comparatively low risk.
In fact, Food hygiene expert Dr Cameron Webb has said that any germs transferred by flies onto your food is unlikely to make you sick.
But, this also depends on your location as the risks of contamination can significantly increase depending on where you live in the world.
What Does Fly Poop Look Like?
There are over 100,000 different species of flies and each one has a slightly different appearance. So naturally, you would think fly poop can also look slightly different from one type of fly to the next.
However, generally speaking, most types of fly droppings are the same. Although the size of the droppings varies, depending on the size of the fly.
So if you’re wondering what do flies poop look like, here’s a quick rundown:
- Appearance: Flies will typically leave behind small, cylindrical poops that are brown or black in color.
- Texture: Fly poop can range in consistency, but it is typically dry and crumbly.
How Often Do Flies Poop?
The frequency of fly pooping can vary depending on a number of different factors, including the type of flies you’re dealing with and their surroundings.
However, in general, flies tend to poop more frequently when they’re feeding or mating.
So if you notice a lot of flies congregating around your home or business, there’s a good chance they’re feeding and pooping on a regular basis.
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Where Do Flies Usually Poop?
Because flies live on a liquid diet they digest their food very quickly and as a result, they will poop often.
As the fly feeds on a wide variety of different things, they’ll often poop in many different places. Generally speaking, flies tend to poop near areas where they’ve been feeding or congregating.
Some of the common fly poop hotspots include garbage bins and dumpsters, outdoor tables, or anywhere else food may be left open or exposed.
When flies poop they typically do this when they land, and then quickly take off again.
Do Flies Poop When Flying?
You may have noticed a fly buzzing around your kitchen and thought to yourself, “Do flies actually poop when airborne?
It’s a fair question, and it is possible, however, because we can’t see this happening with our naked eye, it’s difficult to say with certainty, we are just assuming this is the case.
In reality, it’s likely that flies do expel waste when flying, but due to their small size and the fast speed at which they travel, this waste is often not visible.
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Do They Poop On Walls?
Flies can and will poop on walls, particularly when they land and start cleaning themselves. This will typically happen once they’ve finished feeding.
If you notice brown or black spots appearing out of know where on your walls then this could be fly poop.
However before you jump to conclusions, it’s important to clean your walls first. Then take a closer look the next time you clean, if you’re seeing these stains again this could be a sign of fly poop.
Is Fly Poop Dangerous?
Fly poop can be a health concern and should be taken seriously, especially if you’re dealing with large numbers of flies.
Some common health issues that can arise from fly poop include things like food poisoning, stomach bugs, or flu-like symptoms.
This is why it’s important to practice good hygiene and keep your home clean to prevent flies from contaminating your surfaces.
If you only have a couple of flies in your house then this is not something you need to worry about.
However, if you’re dealing with a large infestation, it’s important to take action quickly and ensure the problem doesn’t get out of control.
Can You Prevent Flies From Pooping In Your House?
Although there is no 100% foolproof way to prevent flies from pooping in your house, there are steps that you can take to greatly reduce the likelihood of this happening.
For example, regular cleaning is key. Make sure to regularly clean and sanitize surfaces like countertops, tables, chairs, windowsills, floors, etc., so that there’s nothing that would attract any flies into your home.
If you do have flies buzzing around your house you may also want to invest in some fly traps, or try hanging up some screens or other barriers around windows and doors to block flies from getting inside.
But again, if you’re dealing with a serious infestation and your attempts at prevention aren’t working, it may be time to call in the experts for professional help.
Thankfully, there are lots of effective solutions out there that can get rid of existing flies and prevent them from coming back. So don’t give up – keep working until you find a solution that works!
Conclusion
Overall, flies are abundant in the world and can be found pretty much everywhere. And although their appearance may vary from one type of fly to the next, their poop typically looks the same!
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