Of the thousands of species of flies, only a few are common pests in
and around the home. Some of the more common nuisance flies are the
house fly (Musca domestica), the face fly (Musca autumnalis), the
stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans), the little house fly (Fannia
canicularis), and several species of garbage fly (especially in the
genus Phaenicia). These pests breed in animal wastes and decaying
organic material from which they can pick up bacteria and viruses that
may cause human diseases. In addition, adult stable flies (sometimes
called "biting flies") feed on mammalian blood and can give a painful
bite.
Because they have sponging mouthparts, house flies cannot bite;
however, they may play an important role in disease transmission to
humans and animals. House flies serve as carriers of disease agents due
to their predilection for feeding on animal wastes, garbage, and human
foods. House flies are known to carry bacteria and viruses that cause
conditions such as diarrhea, cholera, food poisoning, yaws, dysentery,
and eye infections.