Fly larvae appear more often on compost or in organic waste in hot summer months. Observations in food or under the carpet cause frightening moments. So that there is no panic, you should find out about the way of life and ways to combat these animals.
How can you combat and prevent fly larvae?
To combat fly larvae, they can be removed mechanically (broom and dustpan) or vinegar can be used as a home remedy. Regular cleaning, dry conditions, closed garbage cans, disposing of meat in the trash and scented oils as a fly repellent help preventively.
Where fly larvae prefer to stay
The group of flies is a species-rich suborder that belongs to the dipterans and is divided into numerous families. Fly larvae live in different habitats. Many species colonize the soil or feed on living and dead plants, wood or fungi.
Due to their preference for feces, carrion and inedible foods, fly maggots do not have a good reputation. In exceptional cases they occur in living tissue under the skin of humans or dogs. This phenomenon is called myiasis and occurs as motion sickness.
Reasons for fly larvae in the apartment
Since flies prefer environments with ideal feeding conditions to lay their eggs, their maggots can often be observed in the kitchen. Leftover food in trash cans creates a perfect environment. Open pet food or food stored outside the refrigerator also magically attract flies. At room temperature, the development from larva to adult insect takes place within a short time, so that the uninvited guests multiply quickly in the house if there is sufficient food availability.
Excursus
Why fly larvae live under the carpet
Finding fly maggot nests between the carpet fibers is like a nightmare for many people. There is a consistent microclimate between the protective carpet fibers, which makes the insects feel particularly comfortable.
Adult flies are attracted to the smell of protein-containing foods or residue on the ground. They come into the apartment through the open window and lay their eggs in protected places such as the carpet.
Fly nests are swept up with a broom and dustpan and then disposed of far away from food residue. Thorough cleaning of the infested rooms protects against renewed infestation.
Optimal living conditions in the trash can
Maggots love trash cans
The maggots of flies are among the waste recyclers that mainly decompose dead material from plants or animals. Because of this preference, compost represents a land of milk and honey for the offspring of flies. In summer, the unwanted inhabitants are increasingly found in organic waste. The warm and moist environment creates optimal survival conditions.
Maggot-like fly larvae can form a kind of carpet. When the insects rub against each other, heat and a noticeable noise are created.
Harmless larvae in potting soil
Fly larvae that live in flower pots do not pose a threat to the quality of food. These maggots are fungus gnats that prefer open substrate with moist conditions as a habitat. The plants are usually not damaged. If the infestation spreads, the risk of root damage increases and rot can form.
Which larvae live in water?
Some larvae develop in water if it is not contaminated and has a high oxygen content. The insect larvae that often live in the rain barrel are mosquitoes. The species are differentiated according to their coloring:
- red: Descendants of the chironomid
- black: unwanted mosquito larvae
- white: Brood of the tussock mosquito
The insects in the water are not always undesirable, because fly larvae are suitable as fish food and serve as a valuable source of protein for reptiles and amphibians. In order to ensure an uncontaminated food source for their own fish farming, many pond owners resort to breeding mosquito larvae in the vat under controlled conditions.
What to do against fly larvae?
Fly larvae cannot survive a vinegar bath
Removing maggots from flies can be done in two ways. It is convenient to mechanically clean infested objects and remove the nests with a broom and dustpan. If you have unpleasant feelings about this matter, home remedies are recommended.
Not every substance is fully suitable for use, as either the effect is not effective or the environment can be affected. Therefore, prevention is the most important measure.
| Danger to the environment | Effect | Result | Recommendation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brightlime | high | corrosive | Fly maggots dry out and die | no |
| S alt | low if applied properly | drying | effective for a short time in acute infestations | yes |
| Vinegar | low when used correctly | deterrent | Smell keeps flies away permanently with regular use | yes |
Tip
To banish the unpleasant smell from the garbage can that attracts flies, you can use odor-absorbing materials. Coffee powder or baking soda are ideal.
Destruct fly maggots in the garbage can
Larger areas can be cleaned with household remedies
A mixture of water and vinegar essence provides a simple home remedy to kill maggots in organic waste. There are three to four tablespoons of concentrated vinegar per liter of liquid. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and dust fly larvae and the entire inner walls of the bin.
Edges and covering should not be missed to prevent re-infestation. If maggots have settled in the garbage, place the emptied bin in the sun with the lid open. The larvae die in the dry heat.
How to prevent an infestation:
- Prevent dryness: Line the floor with newspaper to absorb liquid
- Close the garbage can: Rubber seals in the lid or a stone as a weight prevent egg laying
- Avoid meat: Wrap meat and fish in paper and dispose of in the trash
- frequent emptying: also have half-filled bins emptied by the garbage disposal
- regular cleaning: After each waste disposal, hose down the bin with a garden hose and let it dry
Maden in Mülltonne bekämpfen Maden loswerden Abfalltonne
Do scented oils help against fly larvae?
Essential oils and other intensely smelling substances have no direct effect in combating fly larvae. However, the substances have a preventive effect, as flies avoid many scents and are thus prevented from laying eggs in the compost or in the apartment. Lavender, tea tree oil, lemon, peppermint, eucalyptus and bay leaf are particularly effective. Use different oils to enhance the effect.
Make a fragrant fly repellent:
- Make a mixture of 2 teaspoons rapeseed oil, 2 teaspoons witch hazel water or vodka and 100 ml essential oils
- Hang the rag in a candy or coffee tin and secure the outside with a rubber band
- Pour insect oil into the can so that the cloth soaks up
- Place fly repellent on the table and add essential oil regularly
Tip
Lacewing larvae are not among the dreaded maggots. They play an important role in pest control because they destroy aphids in large quantities.
Frequently asked questions
What do fly larvae look like?
Fly larvae can grow up to 3cm
Fly maggots have a worm-shaped body that lacks limbs and head capsules. On closer inspection, the front end of their body is indistinctly pointed, while the rear end appears wider. They have a pincer-like mouth hook with which they pick up food.
In cross section, the larvae are round to oval or stretched to curved. Depending on the species, the maggots can be between one and 30 millimeters long. An outer protective layer called the cuticle protects the body from dehydration. When they have pupated, the light color changes to a darker brown.
How do fly larvae form?
Flies lay their eggs where their offspring can find sufficient food. They prefer degradable substances in organic waste or food as a place to lay their eggs. In warm temperatures and humid conditions, the larvae hatch after just 24 hours. The complete development into an adult insect is completed within eight days at around 25 degrees Celsius. The majority of European fly species require two to three weeks, during which the larvae go through three stages.
Where do fly larvae come from?
In summer, maggots are not uncommon in household waste or dog food. They hatch from eggs that flies have deposited in the suitable substrate a few hours to a few days before. These are houseflies or blowflies. They are attracted by smells, which provide them with an indication of good food availability. It is usually protein-containing foods that arouse the interest of insects.
Which fly larvae live in which environment?
Fly maggots that live in water mainly come from hoverflies, horseflies or mosquitoes. The latter produce eggs, which many garden owners observe in the rain barrel. The housefly finds abundant sources of food in the home environment. It lays its eggs in organic material because its larvae feed on biological waste such as meat and cheese or parts of plants and feces. The blowfly also prefers food and excrement as a place to lay its eggs.
Are fly larvae dangerous?
In principle, fly larvae do not pose a danger to humans. If they are accidentally eaten, in rare cases this can cause digestive problems. Children are at greater risk of he alth problems.
Blowflies secrete bacteria and pathogens through their digestive juices. This can lead to diarrheal illnesses. If the insects have laid their eggs on food, it may be contaminated and no longer suitable for consumption.
