Flies are not only annoying when they fly to your food - they also bring with them many inconveniences. While you might think you can just brush the fly away and get on with your lunch, we're going to explain why that's not such a good idea. When a fly lands on your sandwich, there's a lot more going on than just an unpleasant buzz.
So what are flies really doing when they land on your food? Of course, the answer will shock you a little.
The fly as a mini carrier of bacilli
Everyone has already faced the problem of a fly landing on his food. Most of us just brush it off and think it's no big deal. But this is where science comes in - flies are not only annoying, but also extremely unhygienic. The fact is that flies feed in places you wouldn't want to eat - such as garbage, waste, feces and animal carcasses. This means that they are carriers of many bacteria and pathogens that they can leave on our food when they land on it.
What happens when a fly tastes your food?
The first step a fly takes when it comes into contact with your food is to use its feelers on its legs to "taste" the food. If she likes the taste, she secretes digestive enzymes from her mouth that essentially break down the food before she eats it. In the process, it also sheds traces of its previous food, which means it can leave bacteria like salmonella, E. coli and even parasites on your food.
But that's not all. Flies are known to excrete small amounts of feces whenever they land. True, these amounts may not be noticeable, but they still pose a health risk. While a single fly won't necessarily cause disease, the problem is the bacteria they can carry. If food is left at room temperature for a long time, these bacteria can multiply quickly and become truly dangerous.
Should we throw away the food?
So what to do if a fly lands on your food? It is recommended to get rid of such food, especially if you know that the fly has been on potentially contaminated surfaces. It is also important to protect food with nets or covers, especially outdoors where flies are common.
However, it is important to know that flies are only part of the bigger picture when it comes to hygiene. Mosquitoes, ticks and other insects can pose an even greater health risk as they carry diseases that can be life-threatening.
Flies are truly more than just a nuisance. Their presence on food can cause the spread of bacteria and diseases, so it is important to take care of hygiene and proper food storage. The next time a fly decides to land on your lunch, think twice before eating the food.
