What are the common types of flies found in homes?

There are four most common flies found in Chinese households.

① The house fly (_Musca domestica_) — the most ubiquitous, about 6–8 mm in length, grayish-black, with four dark longitudinal stripes on the thorax, found in virtually all human living environments.

② The fruit fly (_Drosophila melanogaster_) — about 2–3 mm long, yellowish-brown, usually with red eyes, attracted to rotting fruit and fermenting liquids, reproduces extremely rapidly (one generation in 7–10 days).

③ Blow flies (Calliphoridae, also known as greenbottle flies) — relatively large (8–14 mm), body with metallic sheen of green, blue, or copper, attracted to carrion and feces, often appearing near garbage and pet waste.

④ Flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) — relatively large, gray with a checkerboard pattern, do not lay eggs but deposit live maggots directly onto carrion.

Different fly species have different breeding habits; understanding the species helps with targeted control.