What is the Life Expectancy of a House Fly?

House flies typically live for 15 to 30 days indoors. Their short lifespan, combined with rapid reproduction, means they can quickly become a full-blown infestation—especially in warm, food-rich environments like kitchens and bathrooms. That’s why early prevention and consistent cleaning are key.

If you’re facing a house fly problem you can’t seem to control, use this guide to discover more about their life cycle so you can stamp out a fly infestation quickly.

What is the lifespan of a house fly?

All domestic flies have a similar life cycle, and house flies are no exception. There are four stages of growth: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. 

The life expectancy of a house fly can vary slightly based on the specific species of fly. Generally speaking, though, house flies live anywhere from 15 to 30 days. Temperatures and other environmental conditions can also affect how long a fly can live in your home. House flies living in warm homes or controlled laboratories develop faster and live longer than their counterparts out in the wild.

The house fly’s short lifespan means that they also reproduce quickly, especially when uncontrolled. Once safely in your home, they can quickly reproduce in large numbers, turning a few annoying flies into a full-blown infestation at rapid speed.

Prevent house flies in the first place 

Flies are always searching for easy access to food, water, and shelter. To keep house flies out of your home, follow these tips.

• Clean thoroughly: Around once per month, deep clean your kitchen, dining spaces, and bathrooms with an effective household cleaner. Wipe down your countertops and tabletops, and sweep the floors to get rid of the dust and grime brought in from the outside. 
• Keep food off countertops and sealed in reusable containers: Store cereals, sugar, flour, pasta, and sweets in sealed containers in the cabinet; keep fruits in the refrigerator or in tight-topped containers that house flies can’t penetrate (not fruit bowls).
• Deal with spills quickly: If anything spills, especially sweet things like juices, sodas, applesauce, etc., clean the mess up as soon as possible. Make sure you don’t leave any sticky spots behind—the flies will find it!
• Take out the trash often: Refresh your garbage more often than not, especially any bins that contain food waste. Use a covered trash can in the kitchen if you can, and keep it away from food and fresh produce.
• Get screens on windows and/or install screen doors: House flies enter through open doors and windows. Make sure screens are intact without any rips or holes so you can enjoy the breeze without bugs. 

Which other bugs might be mistaken as house flies? 

The term “house fly” can sometimes be a blanket name for many fly species commonly found in homes. A true house fly is gray with dark stripes running down the middle of its body. It has large red eyes and measures ⅛ to ¼ inches in length.
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Below are some of the most common flies in the U.S. which may also be called house flies–but which are a different family.

Horse fly

Horse flies are part of the Tabanidae family in the insect order Diptera. They’re often a little larger than a house fly, and impressively fast and agile in flight. Female horse flies bite animals and humans to obtain blood—and the bite hurts! They prefer flying in direct sunlight and typically avoid dark and shady areas. Inside homes, they’re drawn to bright overhead lights and are most often inactive at night. They have extremely large eyes and light brown, rounded bodies.

Black fly

Black flies, sometimes referred to as buffalo gnats, are any member of a family of about 1,800 species of small, humpbacked flies. They are black or dark gray, with translucent wings and short antennae and legs. Their small mouthparts are adapted for sucking blood. Female black flies bite, sometimes so severely they can kill chickens, birds, and other domestic animals. Like house flies, black flies typically enter homes through open or gapped windows and doors.

Fruit flies 

Fruit flies are common household and commercial building pests in the United States. They are attracted to ripe, rotting, or decaying fruit and produce. They’re much, much smaller than house flies, and have a brownish hue with transparent wings. Fruit flies are also known for their ability to reproduce rapidly. They usually enter a home through already contaminated produce (sometimes as larvae).

Pest control services

Got a house fly problem? The best way to handle a home infestation is by hiring a professional pest control service like Hawx Pest Control. We offer safe and affordable indoor pest services. With proven methods, qualified technicians, and the best products and services available, Hawx is the undisputed leader in pest control solutions. Call us today for a free estimate to get any pest problems under control.