Housefly

The housefly gets his name from being the most common fly found in and around houses. Though he usually stays within 1–2 miles of where he was born, this determined insect will travel up to 20 miles to find a good meal if he’s hungry.

He can only ingest liquid foods, but that doesn’t stop the housefly from eating what he wants. He can spit out saliva onto a solid food to liquefy it, then suck it right up. How’s that for table manners?

This is one household pest you wish would buzz off. He can transmit a variety of diseases to humans, including typhoid fever, cholera and tuberculosis.

Fascinating Facts

• That’s life! The average life span of an adult house fly lasts from 15 to 25 days.
• Yum, yum. A house fly can taste with its mouth and its feet.
• Egg-straordinary! In her lifetime, a single female housefly can lay up to 900 eggs.

Learn about other Flies: