What type of fly do I have?

Use size and colour: large grey with stripes = house fly; small with red eyes = fruit fly; small fuzzy grey = drain fly; large metallic blue/green = blowfly. Where you see them (bins, drains, fruit, meat) points to the breeding site and species.

Where do flies breed?

House flies in bins, waste, and manure; fruit flies in fermenting fruit and drain slime; drain flies in the biofilm inside drains; blowflies in meat and carcasses. Finding the breeding site is the first step in control.

Why do I have fruit flies in my drain?

Fruit flies (and sometimes drain flies) breed in the organic film inside drains. Clean the drain mechanically and use a drain cleaner or treatment that breaks down the film. Remove overripe fruit and sugary spills.

Will spraying kill all the flies?

Spraying kills adults only. New flies will keep emerging from breeding sites. Lasting control requires eliminating the source (bins, drains, waste) and improving sanitation and exclusion.

When should I get professional help?

When flies persist despite cleaning, when you cannot find the source, or when the premises are commercial or food-related. Professionals identify species, locate breeding sites, and advise on treatment and hygiene.

How do I use the quick comparison table?

Match what you see (size, colour, where they are) to the table to identify house fly, fruit fly, drain fly, or blowfly. Then read that species card for breeding sites and control. Focus on eliminating the source.

Fly Identification Guide

Flies are a diverse group of insects that breed in organic matter, drains, and waste. Correct identification — house fly, fruit fly, drain fly, or blowfly — tells you where they are breeding and how to target control. Each species has a different niche: house flies in general waste and manure, fruit flies in fermenting fruit and drains, drain flies in slime in pipes, blowflies in carrion or meat. This guide helps you identify what you have, where they come from, and when to get professional help.

Identify house fly, fruit fly, drain fly, and blowfly. Know breeding sites and how to eliminate the source.

Need help with flies?

Call Get a quote See Fly Control

Fly bothering a person enjoying coffee — identification guide context; species cards below show house fly, fruit fly, drain fly, and blowfly close-ups

How to use this guide

Check size — large (house fly, blowfly) vs small (fruit fly, drain fly).
Note colour — grey (house fly), tan/red eyes (fruit fly), fuzzy grey (drain fly), metallic blue/green (blowfly).
Note where you see them — kitchen, bins, drains, fruit bowl, windows, or near waste.
Look for maggots or breeding sites — each species breeds in different material.
Consider behaviour — house flies buzz and land on food; fruit flies hover; drain flies rest on walls; blowflies are attracted to meat or carcasses.
Then match to the species card using the quick comparison table; control starts with eliminating the breeding source.

Quick comparison

Fly	Colour	Size	Commonly found	Key clue
House fly	Grey with four dark stripes on thorax	6–9 mm	Bins, waste, manure, kitchens, food areas	Most common; buzzes and lands on food; breeds in organic waste
Fruit fly	Tan to brown; distinctive red eyes	2–3 mm	Fruit bowls, drains, fermenting organic matter, bars	Tiny; hovers; breeds in fermenting fruit and slime in drains
Drain fly	Grey, fuzzy or moth-like	~2–3 mm	Drains, sinks, shower traps, sewage	Wings look furry; rests on walls; breeds in drain slime
Blowfly	Metallic blue, green, or black	8–12 mm	Meat, carcasses, bins, wounds	Larger; metallic; attracted to meat and decay

Species at a glance

Use the cards below to match what you see — appearance, where they are found, and behaviour.

House Fly

Musca domestica

Appearance

Grey with four dark longitudinal stripes on the thorax
About 6–9 mm long; oval abdomen
Large compound eyes; sponging mouthparts
Maggots: creamy white, legless; in wet organic matter
Pupae: dark, barrel-shaped; often near breeding site

Commonly found

Kitchens and food prep areasBins and refuseManure and animal wasteCompost and organic wasteWindows and lightsRestaurants and food businesses

Behaviour

The most familiar fly in South African homes and businesses. Breeds in moist organic matter: refuse, manure, compost, and decaying material. Eggs to adults in about a week in warm conditions. Adults land on food and waste and can spread pathogens. Control requires removing or sealing breeding sites and improving sanitation; spraying adults alone gives only temporary relief.

Why you may be seeing them

Open bins, uncovered food, spills, and poor waste management provide breeding sites and food. Flies enter through doors and windows. Numbers rise in warm, wet weather. Often the dominant fly in kitchens and canteens.

Often confused with

Other muscid flies (similar size and colour; house fly has the four stripes) · Blowfly (blowflies are metallic blue/green and larger)

When to get help

Persistent numbers; flies in food areas; commercial or food business. Professional control targets breeding sites and advises on bins, screens, and hygiene.

House flies can transmit pathogens; good hygiene and source reduction are essential.

House fly pest guide Need help with flies? See Fly Control

Fruit Fly

Drosophila melanogaster

Appearance

Very small (2–3 mm); tan to light brown body
Distinctive red eyes (in common species)
Short antennae; rounded abdomen
Larvae: small, pale maggots in fermenting fruit or slime

Commonly found

Fruit bowls and overripe fruitKitchen drains and garbage disposalsFermenting liquids (juice, wine, beer)Bars and beverage areasCompost and recycling binsSpills and sticky residues

Behaviour

Breed in fermenting or sugary organic matter. Develop quickly — egg to adult in about a week. Often appear in clouds near fruit or drains. Larvae feed in the slime that builds up in drains and in overripe fruit. Eliminating breeding sites (cleaning drains, removing fruit, sealing bins) is the key to control.

Why you may be seeing them

Overripe or damaged fruit, unrinsed bottles, dirty drains, and spilled sugary liquids. They can also breed in the film inside drain pipes. Common in homes, kitchens, and food and beverage businesses.

Often confused with

Drain fly (drain flies are greyer and moth-like; fruit flies have red eyes and are smaller) · Phorid flies (similar size; different build and behaviour)

When to get help

Large numbers; breeding source not found; commercial kitchens or bars. Professionals can locate and treat drain and other breeding sites.

Often called vinegar flies. Cleaning drains and removing fermenting matter usually reduces numbers quickly.

Fruit fly pest guide Need help with flies? See Fly Control

Drain Fly

Psychodidae (e.g. Clogmia, Psychoda)

Adult drain / moth fly (Psychodidae) — fuzzy body and hairy wings; typical of drain biofilm habitats in South Africa — Drain Fly — identification image

Appearance

Small (~2–3 mm); grey, fuzzy or hairy appearance
Wings held roof-like; moth-like when at rest
Larvae: legless, with a distinct head; live in wet organic film
Larvae and pupae in the gelatinous film inside drains

Commonly found

Bathroom and kitchen drainsShower and floor drainsSewage and septic systemsLeaky pipes and standing waterDamp mops and cleaning equipment

Behaviour

Breed in the slimy biofilm inside drains and pipes. Larvae feed on the organic material in the film. Adults are weak fliers and often rest on walls near drains. They do not bite. Control requires cleaning or treating the drain biofilm; surface spray has little effect on the breeding source.

Why you may be seeing them

Organic buildup in drains, slow-draining pipes, or rarely used drains. Often appear in bathrooms and kitchens. Eliminating the film (mechanical cleaning, drain treatment) stops new adults from emerging.

Often confused with

Fruit fly (fruit flies have red eyes and hover; drain flies are greyer and moth-like) · Small moths (drain flies are smaller and associated with drains)

When to get help

Drains remain infested after cleaning; multiple drains affected; commercial premises. Professionals can advise on drain treatment and source elimination.

Also called moth flies. They do not bite; the main issue is nuisance and association with unsanitary conditions.

Drain fly pest guide Need help with flies? See Fly Control

Blowfly

Calliphoridae (e.g. Lucilia, Calliphora)

Appearance

Larger (8–12 mm); metallic blue, green, or black
Loud buzz; strong fliers
Maggots: large, in meat, carcasses, or wounds
Often first to arrive at dead animals

Commonly found

Bins with meat or fish wasteDead animals (rodents, birds)Wounds on livestock or petsButcher shops and abattoirsCompost with animal matter

Behaviour

Attracted to meat, carrion, and sometimes faeces. Females lay eggs on suitable material; maggots develop quickly. Blowflies can spread disease and cause myiasis (maggots in living tissue) in animals. Control requires removing carcasses and securing meat waste; sealing bins and good hygiene reduce attraction.

Why you may be seeing them

Dead animal in roof, wall, or garden; meat or fish in bins; or open waste. Often seasonal peaks in warmer months. Finding and removing the source is critical.

Often confused with

House fly (house fly is grey with stripes; blowfly is metallic) · Other large flies (colour and size help distinguish)

When to get help

Blowflies indoors suggest a carcass or meat source; commercial meat or food premises. Professional inspection can locate the source and advise on disposal and exclusion.

Important in forensic and veterinary contexts. Eliminate carcasses and secure waste to prevent infestation.

Blow fly pest guide Need help with flies? See Fly Control

Common signs by location

Where you see flies — kitchen, bins, drains, fruit, or windows — points to the species and breeding site. Use this to target the source.

Kitchen and bins
House flies and blowflies on bins and waste; fruit flies near fruit and fermenting matter. Secure bins and remove spillages.
House flyFruit flyBlowfly
Drains and sinks
Fruit flies from fermenting slime; drain flies from biofilm in pipes. Clean drains and use appropriate drain treatment.
Fruit flyDrain fly
Fruit bowl and beverages
Overripe fruit and open containers attract fruit flies. Store fruit in fridge or sealed containers; clean spills.
Fruit fly
Windows and lights
Flies are attracted to light. Fit screens and reduce entry; eliminate breeding sites so fewer adults are produced.
House flyBlowfly
Dead animal or meat
Blowflies indicate a carcass or meat source. Locate and remove; seal bins containing meat waste.
Blowfly
Bathroom and shower
Drain flies often from shower or floor drains. Clean the drain and biofilm; fix leaks.
Drain fly

Why flies keep coming back

Breeding site not eliminated — eggs and larvae in bins, drains, or waste keep producing new adults.
Sanitation — open bins, uncovered food, and spills attract flies and support breeding.
Multiple sources — more than one drain, bin, or area may be infested; all need attention.
Exclusion — torn screens and open doors let flies in from outside.
Spraying adults only — kills visible flies but not the source; new flies emerge from breeding sites.
Warm and wet conditions — speed up development; ongoing monitoring and quick action on new sites help.

Common fly signs and behaviour

These patterns help you identify the fly type and find the breeding source.

Flies clustering on bins or food
Usually house flies or blowflies. Find and seal the breeding site (bin, waste); improve sanitation and fit screens.
Tiny flies near fruit or drains
Likely fruit flies. Remove overripe fruit; clean drains and disposals; eliminate fermenting liquids.
Fuzzy grey flies on bathroom walls
Likely drain flies. They breed in drain biofilm. Clean drains and treat the slime; fix leaks.
Metallic blue or green flies
Blowflies. Indicate meat or carcass. Locate and remove the source; secure meat waste.
Maggots in waste or drain
Identifies active breeding. Remove maggots and the material they feed on; treat or clean the site so it does not recur.
Flies increase in warm or wet weather
Development speeds up. Maintain bins and drains; act quickly on new breeding sites.

When to get professional help

Large or persistent fly numbers and you cannot find the source
Flies in food prep or commercial kitchens
Drain flies or fruit flies that persist after cleaning drains
Suspected dead animal (e.g. rodent in roof) attracting blowflies
Food business or premises that need a fly control plan
You want source elimination and exclusion advice, not just adult spray

Call Get fly control

Ready to eliminate fly breeding sources?

Professional fly control targets breeding sites and reduces adult numbers — so results last.

Get a quote Fly control

Fly Identification Guide

Identify house fly, fruit fly, drain fly, and blowfly. Know breeding sites and how to eliminate the source.

How to use this guide

Check size — large (house fly, blowfly) vs small (fruit fly, drain fly).

Note colour — grey (house fly), tan/red eyes (fruit fly), fuzzy grey (drain fly), metallic blue/green (blowfly).

Note where you see them — kitchen, bins, drains, fruit bowl, windows, or near waste.

Look for maggots or breeding sites — each species breeds in different material.

Consider behaviour — house flies buzz and land on food; fruit flies hover; drain flies rest on walls; blowflies are attracted to meat or carcasses.

Then match to the species card using the quick comparison table; control starts with eliminating the breeding source.

Quick comparison

Fly	Colour	Size	Commonly found	Key clue
House fly	Grey with four dark stripes on thorax	6–9 mm	Bins, waste, manure, kitchens, food areas	Most common; buzzes and lands on food; breeds in organic waste
Fruit fly	Tan to brown; distinctive red eyes	2–3 mm	Fruit bowls, drains, fermenting organic matter, bars	Tiny; hovers; breeds in fermenting fruit and slime in drains
Drain fly	Grey, fuzzy or moth-like	~2–3 mm	Drains, sinks, shower traps, sewage	Wings look furry; rests on walls; breeds in drain slime
Blowfly	Metallic blue, green, or black	8–12 mm	Meat, carcasses, bins, wounds	Larger; metallic; attracted to meat and decay

Common signs by location

Where you see flies — kitchen, bins, drains, fruit, or windows — points to the species and breeding site. Use this to target the source.

Kitchen and bins

House flies and blowflies on bins and waste; fruit flies near fruit and fermenting matter. Secure bins and remove spillages.

House flyFruit flyBlowfly

Drains and sinks

Fruit flies from fermenting slime; drain flies from biofilm in pipes. Clean drains and use appropriate drain treatment.

Fruit flyDrain fly

Fruit bowl and beverages

Overripe fruit and open containers attract fruit flies. Store fruit in fridge or sealed containers; clean spills.

Fruit fly

Windows and lights

Flies are attracted to light. Fit screens and reduce entry; eliminate breeding sites so fewer adults are produced.

House flyBlowfly

Dead animal or meat

Blowflies indicate a carcass or meat source. Locate and remove; seal bins containing meat waste.

Blowfly

Bathroom and shower

Drain flies often from shower or floor drains. Clean the drain and biofilm; fix leaks.

Drain fly

Why flies keep coming back

Breeding site not eliminated — eggs and larvae in bins, drains, or waste keep producing new adults.

Sanitation — open bins, uncovered food, and spills attract flies and support breeding.

Multiple sources — more than one drain, bin, or area may be infested; all need attention.

Exclusion — torn screens and open doors let flies in from outside.

Spraying adults only — kills visible flies but not the source; new flies emerge from breeding sites.

Warm and wet conditions — speed up development; ongoing monitoring and quick action on new sites help.

Common fly signs and behaviour

These patterns help you identify the fly type and find the breeding source.

Flies clustering on bins or food

Usually house flies or blowflies. Find and seal the breeding site (bin, waste); improve sanitation and fit screens.

Tiny flies near fruit or drains

Likely fruit flies. Remove overripe fruit; clean drains and disposals; eliminate fermenting liquids.

Fuzzy grey flies on bathroom walls

Likely drain flies. They breed in drain biofilm. Clean drains and treat the slime; fix leaks.

Metallic blue or green flies

Blowflies. Indicate meat or carcass. Locate and remove the source; secure meat waste.

Maggots in waste or drain

Identifies active breeding. Remove maggots and the material they feed on; treat or clean the site so it does not recur.

Flies increase in warm or wet weather

Development speeds up. Maintain bins and drains; act quickly on new breeding sites.

When to get professional help

Large or persistent fly numbers and you cannot find the source

Flies in food prep or commercial kitchens

Drain flies or fruit flies that persist after cleaning drains

Suspected dead animal (e.g. rodent in roof) attracting blowflies

Food business or premises that need a fly control plan

You want source elimination and exclusion advice, not just adult spray

Fly Identification Guide

How to use this guide

Quick comparison

Species at a glance

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Common signs by location

Kitchen and bins

Drains and sinks

Fruit bowl and beverages

Windows and lights

Dead animal or meat

Bathroom and shower

Why flies keep coming back

Common fly signs and behaviour

Flies clustering on bins or food

Tiny flies near fruit or drains

Fuzzy grey flies on bathroom walls

Metallic blue or green flies

Maggots in waste or drain

Flies increase in warm or wet weather

When to get professional help

Related pages

Ready to eliminate fly breeding sources?

Fly Identification Guide

How to use this guide

Quick comparison

Species at a glance

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Appearance

Commonly found

Behaviour

Why you may be seeing them

Often confused with

When to get help

Common signs by location

Kitchen and bins

Drains and sinks

Fruit bowl and beverages

Windows and lights

Dead animal or meat