Blow/Bottle Flies

Calliphoridae

Bottle Fly

Blue bottle fly adult (Obsidian Soul, Wikimedia Commons)

G Bottle Fly

Green bottle fly adult (Julia Wilkins, Wikimedia Commons)

Blow Fly

Blow fly larvae (Joel Smith, Utah State University)

Identification

  • medium-sized and robust with a metallic appearance
  • metallic-looking green and blue are common forms

Nesting Habits

  • eggs may be laid on dead animals, garbage/dumpster receptacles, decaying organic material and manure
  • many flies indoors may indicate that an animal has died in a wall void or somewhere within the building

Diet

  • larvae feed on on animal carcasses, garbage, decaying organic material and manure

Significance

  • can spread disease through contact
  • nuisance inside buildings

IPM Recommendations

  • Keep exterior doors closed, install screen doors, or install an automatic door closer, especially on doors leading into the kitchen.
  • Keep screens in good repair.
  • Improve sanitation.
  • Keep dumpsters at least 50 feet from the building.
  • Locate breeding susbstrate, if possible, and remove.
  • Keep trash cans, dumpsters and garbage areas clean and free of odor.
  • Close lids on dumpsters and garbage cans.
  • Exclude fly entry via caulking, weather stripping, door sweeps, etc.
  • Properly place light traps to catch flies that come indoors.
  • Use a fly swatter.

Additional Resources

IPM for Flies: Integrated Pest Management in Sensitive Environments (University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension)