Key Takeaways:
- Intense heat is forecast for southern Australia and northern Western Australia, leading to an increase in flies and maggots.
- Flies are cold-blooded creatures that become more active in hot temperatures, speeding up their maturation process.
- While flies can be annoying, they play an important role in the ecosystem and are prolific pollinators.
- Flies can transfer pathogens and cause gastrointestinal illnesses, but are more of a public health nuisance than a public health risk.
- Preventing flies and maggots in homes and outdoors requires keeping food covered, removing waste, and using fly screens.
Introduction to the Heatwave
Intense heat is forecast for most of southern Australia as well as northern Western Australia, with severe to extreme heatwave warnings issued. This burst in temperatures is likely to bring with it an increase in unwanted visitors — flies and maggots. As the temperature rises, flies become more active, and their population grows rapidly. But why do they turn up with the heat, and are they problematic beyond just being annoying? To answer these questions, experts in the field of entomology were consulted to provide insights into the world of flies and maggots.
The Science Behind Flies and Heat
Flies are cold-blooded creatures, which means that their body temperature is regulated by the environment around them. When it’s hot, their bodies get hot, and they become more active. Higher temperatures can speed up the time it takes a fly to mature — to only a week or two, instead of the usual three or four. According to Dan Bickel, an entomologist from the Australian Museum, people tend to forget that flies are around until a big heatwave hits. "They come en masse and it seems like overnight, they’re there — but they can leave just as quickly," Dr. Bickel said. Air masses move, and they carry all sorts of flying insects with them, which is why flies seem to appear out of nowhere.
The Health Risks Associated with Flies
There are 30,000 different fly species, according to Dr. Bryan Lessard, an entomologist and science communicator. However, it’s only a handful of species, like the bush fly and some horse flies, that are annoying and give the rest a bad reputation. Houseflies and blowflies also get a bad rap because of their potential to transfer pathogens. Female blowflies are particularly good at finding rotten meat to lay their eggs in, and if they land on food, they could mechanically transfer bacteria and viruses. James Plant, the director of environmental health at the Sunshine Coast Public Health Unit, says that flies are more of a public health nuisance than a public health risk. However, there is a risk of skin infections or gastrointestinal illnesses associated with fly bites or contamination.
The Importance of Flies in the Ecosystem
Despite their reputation, flies play a crucial role in the ecosystem. They are prolific pollinators and help to break down organic matter. Dr. Lessard discourages killing flies, as they are an important part of the ecosystem. "Like many people, I hated flies growing up, I thought we could just nuke them and get rid of them, but that would be really scary," he says. Instead, he recommends encouraging them to survive and thrive. Most of the time, flies are just annoying, so his advice is to simply open up the door and shoo them out.
Preventing Flies and Maggots in Homes
Preventing flies and maggots in homes requires some simple steps. Using fly screens, keeping food covered, and removing waste and fly breeding material regularly are all effective ways to minimize the presence of flies. It’s also important to take out kitchen waste regularly, so it doesn’t get too stinky and attract flies inside. Dr. Lessard recommends against killing flies and instead suggests finding ways to encourage them to leave. "Most of the time they’re just annoying, so my advice is just to open up the door and shoo the fly out."
Reducing Flies and Maggots Outdoors
Having food outside on picnic rugs or outdoor tables presents a different challenge. Our experts recommend always keeping food covered and removing any waste or rubbish that could attract flies to the area. Putting garbage bins and compost away from the house is also a good idea. Dr. Lessard recommends against the use of bug "zappers" or popular outdoor fly traps, as they can be ineffective and even harm beneficial insects. Instead, he suggests planting more native plants in your garden that flower, which can help to attract beneficial insects that control nuisance fly species.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the forecasted heatwave in southern Australia and northern Western Australia is likely to bring with it an increase in flies and maggots. While they can be annoying, flies play an important role in the ecosystem and are prolific pollinators. By taking simple steps to prevent flies and maggots in homes and outdoors, such as keeping food covered and removing waste, we can minimize their presence and reduce the risk of gastrointestinal illnesses. By encouraging flies to survive and thrive, rather than killing them, we can promote a healthy and balanced ecosystem.
