Do flies simply disappear when the weather turns cold? Discover the fascinating strategies flies use to survive the winter months, and how flyermedia.net can provide you with the insights you need to understand these resilient creatures and the broader world of aviation-related insects. Learn about overwintering, fly control and winter habitats.
1. Do Flies Die in Winter?
No, flies don’t die off completely during the winter; instead, they employ various survival strategies to endure the cold. Many fly species enter a state of dormancy or overwinter in their immature stages (egg, larva, or pupa). Some adult flies also seek shelter in protected environments where they can survive until warmer weather returns.
1.1. How Do Flies Survive Cold Weather?
Flies have several strategies to survive cold weather:
- Overwintering as Immature Stages: Many fly species overwinter as eggs, larvae, or pupae. These stages are often more resistant to cold temperatures than adult flies. They may burrow into the ground, hide in manure piles, or find other insulated locations.
- Seeking Shelter: Adult flies may seek shelter in buildings, underground burrows, or other protected areas where temperatures are more moderate.
- Dormancy (Diapause): Some flies enter a state of dormancy called diapause, where their development is suspended until environmental conditions become more favorable.
- Microclimates: Flies can survive in small pockets of warmth, or microclimates, even during cold weather. According to research, houseflies can survive in refuse piles where decomposition keeps temperatures elevated.
1.2. What is Overwintering?
Overwintering is the process by which organisms survive the winter months. For flies, overwintering can involve entering a state of dormancy, seeking shelter in protected environments, or surviving in their immature stages.
1.3. What is Diapause?
Diapause is a state of dormancy or suspended development that many insects, including flies, enter in response to unfavorable environmental conditions, such as cold weather or lack of food. Diapause allows flies to conserve energy and survive until conditions improve.
2. Where Do Flies Go in the Winter?
Flies seek out protected environments to survive the winter, including both natural and man-made locations. They look for places where temperatures are more moderate and where they can find food and shelter.
2.1. Do Flies Go Inside During the Winter?
Yes, many flies seek shelter indoors during the winter. They may enter homes, barns, warehouses, and other buildings through cracks, gaps, and openings around windows and doors. Once inside, they may hide in attics, basements, and other undisturbed areas.
2.2. Where Do Flies Hide in the Winter?
Flies hide in various locations during the winter, including:
- Attics: Attics provide a sheltered environment with relatively stable temperatures.
- Basements: Basements are often cooler than other parts of a building, but they can still provide protection from the elements.
- Wall Voids: Flies may enter wall voids through small cracks and crevices.
- Garages: Garages can provide shelter for flies, especially if they are attached to a heated building.
- Outbuildings: Barns, sheds, and other outbuildings can also provide shelter for flies.
2.3. Where Do Flies Go Outside in the Winter?
Outside, flies may seek shelter in:
- Underground Burrows: Some flies burrow into the ground to escape the cold.
- Manure Piles: Manure piles can generate heat through decomposition, providing a warm environment for flies.
- Compost Heaps: Like manure piles, compost heaps can also generate heat.
- Leaf Litter: Leaf litter can provide insulation and shelter for flies.
- Under Bark: Flies may hide under the bark of trees to escape the elements.
3. How Different Fly Species Overwinter
Different fly species have different overwintering strategies, depending on their physiology and habitat. Some flies are more cold-hardy than others, while some are better at finding sheltered environments.
3.1. How Do House Flies (Musca domestica) Overwinter?
House flies (Musca domestica) can overwinter as adults in sheltered locations, such as refuse tips, where fermenting waste maintains a continuously high temperature. They can also overwinter as larvae in manure piles or animal bedding where the temperature is constantly above 20°C. Laboratory studies have shown that low temperatures can retard house fly development for up to 90 days. According to research, house fly overwintering areas need to be microhabitats that are above -5°C, with enough time over 10°C to permit the development of eggs, larvae, and pupae.
3.2. How Do Stable Flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) Overwinter?
Stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) can overwinter as larvae in manure mounds. According to models, stable fly larvae can avoid freezing by migrating downwards in manure mounds during the winter.
3.3. How Do Cluster Flies (Pollenia rudis) Overwinter?
Cluster flies (Pollenia rudis) overwinter as adults, often in large numbers, inside buildings, especially attics. They enter buildings in the fall and remain dormant until warmer weather returns in the spring.
3.4. How Does the Antarctic Midge (Belgica antarctica) Overwinter?
The Antarctic midge (Belgica antarctica) is the only insect native to Antarctica. Its larval stage can survive encasement in ice for most of the year, making it one of the most cold-hardy insects in the world.
3.5. How Do Face Flies (Musca autumnalis) Overwinter?
Face flies (Musca autumnalis) typically overwinter as adults in sheltered locations such as the warmer south and west sides of buildings. During strong winds, severe rain, and temperatures below 15°C, these flies are inactive.
4. What Happens to Flies When It Gets Cold?
When temperatures drop, flies become less active. Their metabolism slows down, and they may enter a state of dormancy. They seek out sheltered environments to escape the cold and conserve energy.
4.1. Why Are There Fewer Flies in the Winter?
There are fewer flies in the winter because many flies die off when temperatures drop. However, many flies survive the winter by overwintering in their immature stages or seeking shelter in protected environments.
4.2. When Do Flies Come Back After Winter?
Flies typically reappear in the spring when temperatures begin to warm up. Overwintering flies emerge from their hiding places and begin to reproduce.
4.3. How Warm Does It Have to Be for Flies to Come Out?
Flies typically become active when temperatures reach around 10°C (50°F). However, some fly species may become active at slightly lower temperatures.
5. The Fly Life Cycle and Overwintering
Understanding the fly life cycle is crucial to understanding how flies overwinter. Flies undergo complete metamorphosis, which includes four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult.
5.1. What Are the Stages of the Fly Life Cycle?
The stages of the fly life cycle are:
- Egg: Flies lay their eggs in a variety of locations, depending on the species.
- Larva (Maggot): The larva, or maggot, is the feeding stage of the fly life cycle. Larvae feed on decaying organic matter.
- Pupa: The pupa is a transitional stage between the larva and the adult. During this stage, the fly undergoes metamorphosis.
- Adult: The adult fly is the reproductive stage of the fly life cycle. Adult flies lay eggs, and the cycle begins again.
5.2. How Does the Fly Life Cycle Affect Overwintering?
The fly life cycle affects overwintering because different fly species overwinter in different stages of their life cycle. Some flies overwinter as eggs, larvae, or pupae, while others overwinter as adults.
6. Common Fly Species and Their Winter Habits
Different fly species have different winter habits, depending on their physiology and habitat. Some flies are more cold-hardy than others, while some are better at finding sheltered environments.
6.1. What Are Cluster Flies?
Cluster flies (Pollenia rudis) are a type of fly that often enters buildings in large numbers in the fall to overwinter. They are called cluster flies because they tend to cluster together in attics, wall voids, and other sheltered areas. These 7-9mm long flies are normally clearly recognizable by their frizzy, golden-yellow, partly also silvery hair of the breast segments. During the winter, most of the hair can be lost. In springtime, just some hair remains -often only in protected areas- which makes it harder to identify this species.
6.2. How Do Cluster Flies Get Into Buildings?
Cluster flies enter buildings through cracks, gaps, and openings around windows and doors. They are attracted to the warmth of buildings and the shelter they provide from the elements.
6.3. How Can You Control Cluster Flies?
You can control cluster flies by:
- Sealing cracks and gaps around windows and doors.
- Installing screens on windows and doors.
- Using insecticides to kill cluster flies inside buildings.
- Using a vacuum cleaner to remove cluster flies from buildings.
7. How to Prevent Flies in the Winter
Preventing flies in the winter involves taking steps to reduce the likelihood that flies will enter your home or building in the first place.
7.1. How to Keep Flies Out of Your House in the Winter
To keep flies out of your house in the winter:
- Seal cracks and gaps around windows and doors.
- Install screens on windows and doors.
- Keep your home clean and free of food debris.
- Store food in airtight containers.
- Empty garbage cans regularly.
- Use fly traps or fly paper to catch flies that do enter your home.
7.2. What Are Some Natural Fly Repellents?
Some natural fly repellents include:
- Essential oils: Lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and citronella oils can repel flies.
- Herbs: Basil, mint, and rosemary can also repel flies.
- Vinegar: A bowl of vinegar can attract and trap flies.
7.3. What are the Best Insecticides for Flies?
The best insecticides for flies depend on the species of fly and the location where you are trying to control them. Some common insecticides for flies include:
- Pyrethrins: Pyrethrins are natural insecticides derived from chrysanthemum flowers.
- Pyrethroids: Pyrethroids are synthetic insecticides that are similar to pyrethrins.
- Neonicotinoids: Neonicotinoids are systemic insecticides that are absorbed by plants.
8. Flies in Different Climates
Fly behavior and overwintering strategies can vary depending on the climate. In colder climates, flies must be more cold-hardy or find more sheltered environments to survive the winter.
8.1. How Do Flies Survive Winter in Cold Climates?
In cold climates, flies survive the winter by:
- Entering a deeper state of dormancy.
- Seeking shelter in well-insulated environments.
- Producing antifreeze compounds in their bodies.
8.2. How Do Flies Survive Winter in Warm Climates?
In warm climates, flies may remain active year-round. However, they may still seek shelter during the coldest parts of the winter.
8.3. Can Flies Survive Freezing Temperatures?
Some fly species can survive freezing temperatures, while others cannot. The Antarctic midge, for example, can survive being frozen solid for most of the year. However, most fly species cannot survive prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures.
9. Fly Control Methods for Farms and Waste Sites
Fly control is essential for farms and waste sites to minimize the impact of flies on human and animal health.
9.1. What Are Some Fly Control Methods for Farms?
Fly control methods for farms include:
- Manure management: Properly managing manure can reduce fly breeding.
- Sanitation: Keeping barns and other buildings clean can reduce fly populations.
- Insecticides: Insecticides can be used to kill flies.
- Biological control: Biological control agents, such as parasitic wasps, can be used to control flies.
9.2. What Are Some Fly Control Methods for Waste Sites?
Fly control methods for waste sites include:
- Sanitation: Keeping waste sites clean can reduce fly populations.
- Insecticides: Insecticides can be used to kill flies.
- Covering waste: Covering waste can prevent flies from breeding.
9.3. How Can You Prevent Fly Infestations?
You can prevent fly infestations by:
- Practicing good sanitation.
- Sealing cracks and gaps around windows and doors.
- Installing screens on windows and doors.
- Using fly traps or fly paper.
10. The Role of Flyermedia.net in Understanding Fly Behavior
Flyermedia.net offers valuable resources and information for those interested in understanding fly behavior and aviation-related insects.
10.1. How Can Flyermedia.net Help You Learn About Flies?
Flyermedia.net provides access to:
- Articles and blog posts about flies and other insects.
- Information about fly control methods.
- Resources for identifying fly species.
10.2. How Does Flyermedia.net Relate to Aviation-Related Insects?
Flyermedia.net covers topics related to aviation and insects, including:
- The impact of insects on aircraft.
- Insect control methods for airports and airfields.
- The role of insects in the spread of disease.
10.3. How Can You Contact Flyermedia.net?
You can contact Flyermedia.net at:
- Address: 600 S Clyde Morris Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, United States
- Phone: +1 (386) 226-6000
- Website: flyermedia.net
FAQ About What Flies Do During The Winter
FAQ 1: Do all flies die when it gets cold?
No, not all flies die in the winter. Many species overwinter as larvae, pupae, or adults in sheltered locations.
FAQ 2: What temperature do flies die at?
Most flies cannot survive prolonged exposure to temperatures below freezing (0°C or 32°F).
FAQ 3: Where do flies lay eggs in the winter?
Flies that overwinter as adults do not lay eggs in the winter. Flies that overwinter as larvae or pupae may lay eggs in the fall, but the eggs will not hatch until warmer weather returns.
FAQ 4: What do flies eat in the winter?
Flies that overwinter as adults may feed on stored food or other organic matter. Flies that overwinter as larvae feed on decaying organic matter.
FAQ 5: Are flies active in the winter?
Flies are generally less active in the winter. However, they may become active on warm days.
FAQ 6: How long can flies live?
The lifespan of a fly varies depending on the species. Some flies live only a few days, while others live for several months.
FAQ 7: What attracts flies to my house?
Flies are attracted to food, moisture, and shelter.
FAQ 8: How do I get rid of flies?
You can get rid of flies by:
- Practicing good sanitation.
- Sealing cracks and gaps around windows and doors.
- Installing screens on windows and doors.
- Using fly traps or fly paper.
- Using insecticides.
FAQ 9: Can flies bite?
Some fly species, such as stable flies, can bite. However, most fly species do not bite.
FAQ 10: Are flies dangerous?
Flies can transmit diseases, so it is important to control fly populations.
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