The common housefly – occurrence and characteristics

The common housefly, also known as Musca domestica, is an interesting and somewhat mysterious insect that often attracts the attention of people working in bakeries or kitchens. This small pest, characterised by black and yellowish scales and long antennae, is more than just an insect occupying corners in warm rooms. What are its characteristics? Where can it be found most often in Poland, and most importantly, how to deal with its presence?

Characteristics of the common housefly

The common housefly, also known as Thermobia domestica, is a fly from the family of Muscidae with many distinctive physical characteristics that make it easy to identify. First of all, its body reaches a length of about 13 millimetres, which makes it relatively small compared to other household insects. It is distinguished by its unique colouring – its body has black and yellowish scales, which give it a specific appearance.

One of the most distinctive features of the common silverfish is its long antennae, which it uses for orientation and to move around efficiently. The morphological characteristics of this insect also include:

• a long, slender body resembling a fish,
• no wings, which means that it moves only by crawling,
• dark, segmented, scale-covered body that shimmers in the light.

These features make the common fish moth relatively easy to recognise, especially in places where it often lives, such as kitchens and bakeries, where the temperature is elevated.

The living environment of the common fish moth

The common oven bug, known for its love of warm, humid environments, is most commonly found in places where these conditions are present. Its natural habitat is bakeries, kitchens and other spaces where high temperatures and increased humidity provide excellent conditions for the development of this insect. The common housefly prefers places with a stable temperature, usually above 25°C, which makes it a specific thermophilic inhabitant of human buildings.

Thanks to its ability to adapt to various conditions, the common whiting can thrive in hard-to-reach corners such as tiled floors, wall crevices and areas around ovens. The insect is characterised by its avoidance of direct light, which means that it most often appears in shady places. Humidity, in addition to high temperatures, is a key factor influencing the living environment of the common whiting, which is why it is often found near water pipes or sinks, where it is easy to find the required amount of moisture.

Common whiting diet

Despite its small size, this insect is extremely voracious and has a wide range of food preferences. Its primary food sources are products commonly found in kitchens and bakeries, which explains its presence in these places. Flour, sugar, bread and groats are just some of the elements of the common midge’s diet that enable it to function and reproduce effectively.

The preferred products of the common whiting are those that decompose easily, thanks to which the insect gains access to the necessary nutrients. Its fondness for starchy foods makes it look for places where these raw materials are stored or processed. All this means that the diet of the silverfish is linked to the presence of humans, making it a regular visitor to our kitchens. It is worth noting that restricting access to these food resources can be an effective strategy in the fight against this uninvited guest, minimising the risk of it spreading.

How to deal with the common silverfish

Although the common silverfish is not particularly troublesome compared to other pests, it can become a problem, especially in places where hygiene and cleanliness are a priority. The control of the common silverfish can begin with basic preventive measures. First of all, keep the kitchen and bakery clean by removing food leftovers and spilled liquids that could be food for the insect. Also, check the tightness of containers for loose products such as flour or sugar to make sure that no food is left accessible to the fish.

When it comes to other control methods, one of the effective solutions is to control the humidity and temperature in the room, as heat and moisture favour the survival of this insect. Chemicals designed to control crawling insects can also be used, but this should be done with caution, especially in areas that come into contact with food. Natural repellents such as tea tree oil can also help to keep silverfish away.