Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: thedoc on 27/05/2016 18:50:01

Title: Why has a swarm of flies appeared suddenly in my house?
Post by: thedoc on 27/05/2016 18:50:01

Cate asked the Naked Scientists:

I have noticed large quantities of flies coming in and yet my window seems to be closed.

What attracts them?

What do you think?

Title: Re: What attracts flies inside?
Post by: SquarishTriangle on 28/05/2016 03:07:39

You're not keeping a corpse in your house, are you?

Title: Re: What attracts flies inside?
Post by: chris on 28/05/2016 10:14:04

Quote from: thedoc on 27/05/2016 18:50:01

I have noticed large quantities of flies coming in and yet my window seems to be closed.

As alluded to above by SquarishTriangle, usually an explosion of flies signifies that something has died somewhere nearby. Flies are extremely good at tracking down potential food sources for their progeny and all it takes is one to land on a mouse corpse and lay a clutch of eggs and not long later a swarm emerges.

I suspect that this is what has happened to you. Perhaps a bird or mouse has found its way into the roof, ceiling or under-floor space in your house and perished in situ?