How long do flies live? An adult house fly lives two to four weeks. The idea that it lives one day is not true. The problem is not its lifespan; it is that it lays hundreds of eggs in that time, and an egg becomes a full fly within a week to ten days in heat.
How long does a house fly live?
| Stage | Duration |
|---|---|
| Egg | 8 to 24 hours |
| Larva (maggot) | 3 to 7 days |
| Pupa | 3 to 6 days |
| Adult fly | Two to four weeks |
So from egg to full fly takes a week to ten days in hot weather.
Does a fly live for one day?
No. The insect that lives one day is the mayfly, a different kind that lives near water. A house fly lives for weeks.
Flies in summer and winter
- In summer: the life cycle is faster and breeding is strong, but adults live less.
- In winter: everything slows down, and adults may live longer in warm places.
- Indoors: warmth and food keep them going all year.
How long do flies live without food?
About two to three days. A fly needs sugar and water constantly, which is why it hovers around food and juice.
How many eggs does a fly lay?
- 75 to 150 eggs at a time.
- It repeats this five to six times in its life.
- The total can reach 500 eggs from one fly.
Details in Fly Eggs on Food.
Why flies never end at home
Because there is a breeding site near you:
- Uncovered rubbish or a bin that is not cleaned.
- Animal droppings in the yard.
- Food scraps or spoiled fruit.
- Drains with decaying matter.
If that site is not treated, a new generation emerges every week.
How to break the cycle
- Close the bin, empty it daily and clean it.
- Treat breeding sites with a larval growth regulator.
- Hang sticky ribbons near the source.
- Place a light trap indoors, away from food.
- Fit screens on windows.
Products from Orkida
- Catchmaster sticky ribbons for flying insects
- ProCatch ELITE sticky light trap
- Peroxy Larf insect growth regulator for larvae
Fly lifespan FAQs
How long does a fly live indoors?
Usually two weeks to a month if it finds food and water.
Do flies die in winter?
Not all. Some carry on in warm places, and larvae slow down until it warms.
How long do fly eggs take to become flies?
A week to ten days in heat, longer in the cold.