If a fly sits on your food, throw it away – that’s the message from researchers.
Researchers at Penn State University’s Eberly College of Science, Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro discovered that these insects carry a lot more dangerous bacteria than previously thought.
The study of 116 fly species found that they carry many harmful bacteria including salmonella, e-coli and others that can result in stomach ulcers and deadly sepsis.
Flies collect bacteria from faeces and carcasses where they feed, breed and lay eggs before transferring this bacteria to other surfaces and hosts.
As if we needed more reason to hate flies, this study highlights even more the importance of having your home protected from flies by covering your doors, windows and other openings with insect screens.