Flies find a warm place to live until they die of old age
House flies live for about 4 weeks, so flies that emerge in fall or winter time won’t live to see the end of winter. But they need to do something to make it through the cold until they die of old age.
Flies go into a type of hibernation when it gets too cold
Flies that live in areas where the winters are very cold have found a way to go into a sort of hibernation that helps them live longer. Flies get very sluggish when it’s cold and stop moving, even though they are alive, if the temperature drops to 45°F (7°C).
Flies die when the weather gets too cold
We know that flies get lazy and motionless if they get cold enough at around 45°F (7°C). But if it gets colder than that and drops to 32°F (0°C) or below, most flies cannot survive and die off.
Flies slow down their lifecycle so young flies emerge in spring
Fly eggs continue to hatch in fall and winter, but the time it takes for the larvae to grow into flies is slowed down from a week in warm weather to 2+ months in winter. Fly larvae can survive cold weather better than flies, and a slower lifecycle makes sure larvae become flies when it’s warmer.
BlogWhy Do I Still Have Flies in Winter?
Everyone expects to have issues with flies during the spring and summer. When infestations happen in the winter months, though, suddenly everyone is surprised. Flies in the winter? Isn't that illegal? Unfortunately not only is it not illegal, it's not even uncommon. While not all flies can survive the winter cold, some can - and do.
How do flies survive during the winter?
There are over 20,000 different species in North America alone. With that much biodiversity, you’re bound to find different approaches to handling cold weather. For example, trash-loving species like fruit flies, phorid flies, and blow flies prefer to just get cozy in the nearest trash pile.
What can I do to get rid of them?
Cluster flies are definitely the fly species most likely to give you a hard time this winter. They’re especially annoying because they love laying eggs in walls and crevices. You can’t seal any cracks or breaches in walls or you might trap them inside, where they’ll die and attract even more obnoxious pests.
How cold can a house fly be?
Common house flies can not stand cold temperatures and running your AC at 55-60°F will get rid of them fast. They will struggle to leave the house and if they stay in there, they will finally drop dead.
How cold can air conditioners attract flies?
When it is cold outdoors, an air conditioner can attract flies into the house if is set between 85-88°F. They will find the house much warmer and better and they would rather keep warm and stay indoors. This is the only time that flies will be attracted to air conditioning because they cannot stay outside in the cold.
How much humidity do flies need?
Think of any warm dark place like open cupboards and flash them out of it. If the humidity is high, run your humidifier at 35%-40% and let it run for about an hour. This is because flies need a minimum of 65% humidity to survive and breed.
How to get rid of fruit flies in kitchen?
Air conditioning is one of the easiest and natural ways to get rid of a fruit fly infestation in the kitchen. After cleaning the kitchen, you may still see some fruit flies around that will not go away. To get rid of fruit flies, turn the AC cold at 60°F and let it run for 1 hour.
Why do flies hate air conditioning?
Flies hate air conditioning because it interrupts their ability to smell. An air conditioner will interfere with flies sensory nerves and they will not be able to accurately identify where the odor is coming from. This will help in keeping them away because they will not be in a position to find their food.
How to get rid of flies in the morning?
Even in hot seasons, it’s not easy to see flies active early in the morning before the sun is up. To kill and repel house flies in a room, close the windows and doors and run the air conditioner at 55°F for 1 hour. This is enough to make them dormant and they will try to leave the room immediately. If they remain in that temperature ...
What temperature do flies need to be to breed?
House flies need a minimum temperature of 85°F to breed and reproduce effectively. They will become inactive when the temperatures are set at 50°F (10°C) and will die at any temperature that is below 40°F (4.44°C). The temperature has to be warm and relatively humid for house flies to thrive. How to get rid of flies using an air conditioner.
