What is the housefly ?

The housefly, scientifically known as "Musca domestica", is a small insect common in homes throughout the world. Small in size (generally between 6 and 9 millimetres long), its body is covered in short hairs and its colour varies between grey and black. It has large translucent wings, enabling it to move quickly through the air.i worth exploring.

The life cycle of the housefly consists of four stages : egg, larva, pupa and adult. The eggs are laid in decomposing organic matter, such as food waste and excrement. The larvae, commonly known as maggots, emerge from the eggs and actively feed on the surrounding organic matter. Once fully developed, the larvae transform into pupae, where they undergo a transformation to become adult flies. This cycle can vary in length depending on environmental conditions, but can take place in just a few days.

Houseflies are mainly attracted to decomposing food, human and animal waste and organic matter. It also feeds on liquids, using its proboscis to suck up liquid substances, enabling it to absorb sweet liquids such as leftover fruit juice or soda.

How to control houseflies ?

The presence of houseflies in an environment can pose a risk to human health. They can carry bacteria, viruses and other pathogens on their legs and bodies after coming into contact with faecal matter or decomposing waste. By landing on food surfaces, they can contaminate food and cause food-borne illnesses such as diarrhoea, salmonellosis and enteritis.

As well as posing a health risk, they can also cause major disruption to your day-to-day comfort. In the summer months and if you're in the countryside, it can quickly become unbearable. There are several ways of controlling and preventing housefly infestations. These include keeping food preparation areas clean, disposing of waste quickly and using mosquito nets or fine mesh windows to prevent them from entering buildings. At Penn'Ty Bio, you'll find fly traps, repellent diffusers, fly swatters, insecticide-impregnated granules, natural aerosols and more. A whole range of products for natural, toxic chemical-free pest control in your home.

Why use natural insecticides ?

Getting rid of flies is one thing, but wouldn't it be even better if you could also protect your health and the environment? Did you know that some particles of conventional insecticides remain in your treated rooms for several months? Fumigants are the worst because the particles fall back onto all the objects, textiles and surfaces in the room. Unless you wash each item thoroughly, you'll inevitably end up with chemical substances. Opting for natural insecticides will not only get rid of the flies, but also, thanks to the composition of our products and their low persistence, enable you to continue living in a healthy environment.

Read all our advice and discover all our products for natural fly control : Fly file