If you see a fly with different features like a fly of metallic blue green color especially near food sources, garbage, and roadkill you think either you have to concern about their presence or not? So the answer is not that simple lets explore it entirely.
What Are Green Bottle Flies?
Green bottle flies belong to the same family as other flies do, which is family Calliphoridae. The most common one is Lucilia sericata that is almost present on every continent in the world.
What is Most Defining Character of the Green Bottle Flies?
Color is only their physical feature, other than this there is one most obvious behavioral character which help to identify them is their breeding place.
They always prefer animal carcasses, feces, decaying organic matter, and garbage to lay their eggs. Because of this behavior there presence near food sources is a big threat to health
Are They Dangerous to Humans?
If we are looking them as a direct threat through their bite then the answer is no because they are not venomous. While from health prespective, as they carry deadly dangerous bacteria, infectious parthogens, and even some parasites along them during breeding which make them a obvious threat to humans.
So if you find a green bottle fliy in your kitchen then there is high chances that it also take some pathogens to your kitchen as well.
Suggestion: Clean the surface immediately where the green bottle fly sit in your kitchen or use some disinfectant there.
What Kind of Organism a Green Bottle Fly Can Carry?
There are some organisms like:
- Salmonella
- E. coli
- Staphylococcus
- Campylobacter
- Various intestinal parasites and worm eggs
Myiasis — The More Serious Concern
Myiasis is a medical condition that is mainly cause by green bottle flies. The documented cases shows if green bottle flies Lucilia Sericata more particularly lay eggs near or on open wound the larva then start feeding on the tissues of the wound. Just imagine how extreme this condition becomes. After this point i think you finally understand how much you have to concern about green bottle flies.
Who Are More Vulnerable To Green Bottle Flies?
Not every individual is equally at risk by green bottle flies, more vulnerable arre:
- People with low immunity.
- Aged people because their wound heals slowly not rapidly as happens in adults.
- People who ignore and do not check their wound on regular basis.
- Outdoor sleep directly invite greenbottle flies.
- Those animals whom wounds remain untreated.
Are They a Risk to Pets and Livestock?
Yes, they are equally dangerous for pets and livestock as for humans. They are more dangerous to those animal who have thick fur like sheep, if they sit on damp area and lay egg, the larva hatch and cause a severe damage. Because of fur the owner will find out when the damage surpasses the normal limit.
Suggestion: Immediately sterile if green bottle fly sit on open wound of your dog or any other pet and regularly inspect the fur of the animals like sheep.
What Does It Mean If You See Them Inside Your Home?
If you see them once a month then its quite normal as they enter through open windows and doors, but if you spot them off and on around the week it might be possible that there is some dead animal like mouse or a bird.
Suggestion: Simply look for a dead body of an animal all around the house and discard it.
Are Green Bottle Flies a Risk for Healthy Adults?
In terms of germs and pathogen transfer, yes equally dangerous for everyone. But a adult with good immunity, better hygeine, no wound, clean food preffernce, the risk get minimize on its own.
Is There Everything Bad About Green Bottle Flies?
No, they are medically beneficial also, their this behavior is used to treat some wounds. A process name Maggot debridement therapy; in which wound is deliberately exposed to green bottle fly, they lays eggs, larva hatch and start feeding on infected tissues while healthy tissues remain intact. It is not a random treatment instead a certified approved one. In cure this fly is used within control conditions.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do green bottle flies bite? | No |
| Can they contaminate food? | Yes |
| What pathogens do they carry? | Salmonella, E. coli, Staph, and parasites |
| What is myiasis? | Larval infestation of living tissue |
| Are they used in medicine? | Yes |
| Are pets at risk? | Yes |
| What does indoor presence suggest? | Possibly a dead animal hidden nearby |
