Feeling the heat? Brace yourself, because soaring temperatures often mean an unwelcome surge of buzzing, biting, and crawling guests: flies and maggots!
With severe to extreme heatwave warnings in place across much of southern and northern Western Australia, it's a good time to understand why these pests thrive in the heat and what we can do about it. But here's where it gets controversial: are they just annoying, or a genuine health hazard?
So, why do flies and maggots become more prevalent when the mercury rises? Entomologists explain that flies are cold-blooded creatures. When it's hot, their bodies heat up, making them more active and speeding up their life cycle. Instead of the usual three to four weeks, they can mature in just a week or two! Dr. Dan Bickel from the Australian Museum highlights that we often forget about flies until a heatwave hits, when they suddenly appear in large numbers, seemingly overnight.
But can these buzzing nuisances actually make us sick? According to Dr. Bryan Lessard, also known as "The Fly Guy," there are a staggering 30,000 different fly species! While most are harmless, a few, like bush flies and some horse flies, can be annoying. Houseflies and blowflies, however, can pose a risk because of their potential to spread pathogens. Female blowflies, for example, are drawn to rotting meat, where they lay their eggs. If these flies land on something unsavory and then contaminate your food, they could transfer bacteria and viruses.
James Plant, from the Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit, considers flies more of a public health nuisance than a direct health risk. However, he acknowledges that some people may experience skin infections from black fly bites or even gastrointestinal illnesses. He stresses that flies can contaminate surfaces and food, which increases the risk of illness. Black flies, also known as sandflies or buffalo gnats, can cause swelling, bleeding, pain, and itching. To protect yourself, use insect repellent containing DEET, wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing, and ensure your fly screens are in good condition.
So, how can you keep these unwanted guests out of your home? Preventing flies from accessing waste, food, and kitchen surfaces is crucial to avoid potential gastrointestinal illnesses. As James Plant points out, even if you're meticulous about cleaning and preparing food, a fly can still land on it. He recommends:
- Using fly screens whenever possible.
- Keeping food covered.
- Regularly removing waste and potential breeding grounds.
Dr. Lessard emphasizes the importance of removing kitchen waste regularly to prevent a sudden infestation of maggots. Remember, it only takes 8 to 24 hours for blowfly or housefly eggs to hatch into these tiny white creatures.
And this is the part most people miss: While flies can be a nuisance, Dr. Lessard reminds us that they play an essential role in the ecosystem as pollinators. He discourages killing them, advocating instead for a shift in mindset toward encouraging their survival. Often, the best solution is simply to shoo them out the door.
Outdoors, the challenge is different. Always keep food covered and remove any waste or rubbish that could attract flies. Dr. Lessard suggests keeping garbage bins and compost away from the house and advises against using bug "zappers" or popular outdoor fly traps. Instead, he recommends using a fan on a covered patio to keep flies and mosquitoes away and planting more flowering native plants to attract spiders and other insects that help control nuisance fly species.
What do you think? Are you more concerned about the health risks or the general annoyance of flies? Do you agree with Dr. Lessard's approach to coexisting with flies, or do you have a different strategy? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
