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A deer fly in the palm of a person's hand - Keep deer flies out of your home with City Termite & Pest Control in Malvern, AR

Deer Fly

Actual Size: ½”

Characteristics: Long; yellow-brown to brownish-black with mottled wings.

Legs: 6

Antennae: Yes

Wings: Yes

Habitat: Prefers moist habitats like marshes, woodland ponds, and streams and rarely found near homes.

Habits:

  • Similar to horse flies; do not breed inside structures.
  • Bites can be very painful resulting in visible wounds.
  • Tularemia can be transmitted to humans by the bite of a deer fly.


Deer Flies in Central Arkansas

Deer flies and horse flies are large, heavy-bodied insects that are persistent pests of livestock, wildlife, and humans. They are blood-sucking insects, which introduces the concern for transmission of disease to animals or people. They are known to be pests for cattle, horses, mules, dogs, hogs, and other mammals, including humans. Deer flies more commonly bite humans and are smaller than horse flies with dark bands across their wings. An attack by a few of these flies can be painful and frustrating when spending time outdoors.

Deer Fly Habitat

Larval development takes place near aquatic habitats and is where the adult deer flies and horse flies tend to stay. The flies are most often found in low-lying or brushy pasture areas near streams, creeks, or tanks that create damp soils for breeding and larval development. Deer flies may accidentally wander indoors on occasion, but they do not typically enter buildings. Structures that have swimming pools may have more issues with this pest due to the shiny surfaces of the pool.

Deer Fly Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Female deer flies and horse flies can and will bite people, and the painful bites may occur on any part of the body. The bite tends to produce a visible bleeding wound that is painful during and after the bite. Usually, first-aid skin creams can help relieve the pain after the bite, but on rare occasions, there may be an allergic reaction with hives and wheezing from the bite. There is evidence that a deer fly in the western U.S. is involved in the transmission of a bacterium that causes the disease tularemia, which is known as deer fly fever and rabbit fever. These flies are significant livestock pests with their painful and persistent biting behavior.

Always contact your local fly exterminator for help with deer flies.