Flies are attracted to the heat and light inside houses, which encourages them to enter. Once inside, they may have difficulty finding their way out due to the complex architecture of the rooms and the confusion caused by reflective surfaces.
Flies naturally use light as a means of navigation. They move by instinctively following a light cue, often the sun or the moon. But in our homes, light bulbs, screens, or illuminated windows completely disrupt their usual navigation. These nearby artificial sources deceive their senses and irresistibly attract them: they think they are following a reliable point of reference, but find themselves trapped in an enclosed environment. They then circle endlessly around a lamp, a television, or against a lit window, unable to identify a genuine exit. As a result, they exhaust themselves and remain stuck unable to find the way out.
Flies have a compound vision formed by a multitude of small eyes called ommatidia. This type of vision allows them to easily detect movement but makes it difficult and imprecise to distinguish fixed shapes, especially openings. As a result, even when a window or door is wide open in front of them, they struggle to perceive the exit, wasting their time repeatedly flying against the glass. Transparent surfaces are particularly misleading, causing them to mistakenly believe that an impassable obstacle (like a clean window) is actually a passable way through. Not very clever, the fly!
Flies often operate by following short repetitive trajectories, staying in the same area rather than exploring new places. It may seem silly, but it causes them to persist in the same spot (like a window), even when a nearby open window or door is available. Their tiny brain uses a simple strategy that is not always effective: they rely mainly on habit and immediate sensory cues rather than logic or true exploration. As a result, a fly can spend hours zigzagging without finding the exit, trapped by its own limited habits!
Flies are highly sensitive to even weak drafts. A slight breeze near an open window, a fan, or simply someone passing quickly by disrupts their flight and completely disorients them. To avoid this disturbance, they often prefer to stay perched on a protected surface rather than risk facing these unpredictable air movements. As a result, they hesitate for a long time before attempting to venture out and end up stuck flying in circles in the same room.
At your place, the flies feel rather calm: few or no natural predators like birds or frogs that would spend their time chasing them outside. Inside, they have almost no reason to panic or flee quickly. This sense of security even allows them to stay settled in the same spot for a long time without rushing to find the exit. As a result, they explore quietly, without the urgency that would push them outside into the wild, where danger is very present.
Flies prefer to land on vertical or suspended surfaces rather than on the ground. That's why we often see them walking on windows or flying in circles near ceilings in houses.
A housefly can detect movements four to five times faster than humans, which explains why it is so difficult to catch it with a fly swatter or by hand.
Unlike humans, flies taste with their feet! Thus, when they land on your food, their intention is not just to walk but primarily to assess the taste and quality of the surface they are on.
The eyes of a fly are made up of thousands of tiny facets called ommatidia, allowing for panoramic vision. However, this fragmented vision can complicate the clear perception of an open window or a door as an obvious exit.
The average lifespan of an adult housefly is relatively short, ranging from about 15 to 30 days, depending on environmental conditions and food availability. During this time, they lay numerous eggs, ensuring their rapid generational renewal.
Indeed, several natural scents naturally repel flies, such as peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, and citrus. These fragrant substances are interesting alternatives to reduce their presence in the house without resorting to chemical products.
Yes, flies have rest periods similar to sleep, mainly during the night. During these calm times, they remain still, reducing their metabolic activity in order to recover the energy needed for their upcoming flying adventures.
Flies use their highly developed sensory organs to detect faint warm air currents or odors coming from inside a house. Open windows or doors, cracks, and other narrow passages are easily and quickly identified by these exploratory insects as access points.
Flies are attracted to body heat, body odors, as well as sweat and the mineral salts present on our skin. This natural behavior allows them to obtain essential nutrients for their survival.
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