Flies often buzz around people due to specific biological reasons. These insects are not simply aimlessly flying; their movements are guided by sophisticated sensory systems designed to locate resources for survival and reproduction.
What Attracts Flies to Your Presence
Flies possess highly developed sensory organs that detect specific cues emitted by humans, drawing them into close proximity.
One significant attractant is body heat, as humans maintain a consistent temperature that signals a potential source of warmth or moisture. Flies can perceive subtle temperature gradients, guiding them towards a warm body in cooler environments.
Another strong draw for flies is carbon dioxide (CO2), a gas exhaled during human respiration. Flies have specialized chemoreceptors capable of detecting CO2 plumes from a distance, indicating the presence of a breathing organism. This ability allows them to efficiently locate potential hosts or food sources.
Human body odors and sweat also act as powerful attractants. The bacteria on human skin metabolize compounds in sweat and oils, producing volatile organic compounds like carboxylic acids, which many fly species find highly appealing. These scents signal the availability of moisture, salts, and other nutrients that flies may seek.
Scented personal products, such as perfumes, colognes, lotions, and even some hair products, can further enhance a person’s attractiveness to flies. These products often contain sweet or floral notes that mimic natural attractants found in decaying organic matter or plant nectar, drawing in flies. Even minute residues of food or sugary drinks on skin or clothing can serve as a direct invitation for flies.
The Mechanics of Their Buzzing Sound
The characteristic buzzing sound produced by a fly is a byproduct of its rapid wing movements. Flies beat their wings at high frequencies, often hundreds of times per second, which displaces air and generates pressure waves. These rapid oscillations create the audible hum.
Different fly species exhibit varying wing beat frequencies, contributing to differences in buzzing pitch. For instance, a common house fly can beat its wings approximately 200 times per second, creating its distinctive sound. The sound becomes more noticeable when a fly is close to an ear because the sound waves travel a shorter distance, allowing for greater perception. This buzzing is an incidental auditory consequence of their flight mechanics and proximity, not deliberate communication.
Simple Ways to Reduce Fly Annoyance
Minimizing the presence of flies around you involves addressing the very attractants that draw them in.
Maintaining personal hygiene by showering regularly reduces body odors and sweat residues that appeal to flies. Avoiding strong, sweet perfumes, colognes, or lotions also makes you less appealing, as these scents mimic substances flies seek.
Promptly cleaning up any food spills or drink residues on your skin or clothing eliminates food sources for flies. Using insect repellents containing active ingredients like DEET or picaridin creates a barrier, masking human scents and deterring flies. Wearing light-colored clothing may also help, as darker colors absorb more heat, making you a warmer target.
Ensuring windows and doors have intact screens prevents flies from entering indoors. These simple measures, targeting the sensory cues flies use to locate humans, can significantly reduce annoyance.