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FACT BRIEF

Does wet weather increase fly populations?

By Ryan Thorpe
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YES

Flies are attracted to wet weather. Ranchers and farmers have reported increases in horn flies, stable flies and houseflies after the wet spring, according to the Texas Farm Bureau. 

Fort Worth’s rain levels during the spring were unusually high. The 2024 rain levels between March and May were 2 to 3 inches higher than the average rainfall during the same months since 2000, according to the National Weather Service.

Heavy rain often leads to oversaturated yards and increases the chance of flooding, according to Align Foundation Repair, a Fort Worth drainage company. 

Many species of flies require moisture to lay their eggs to reproduce. Flies often lay eggs in still water found outside and inside of homes and different decaying organic matter like grass clippings and feces. Periods of heavy rain can cause still water and decaying organic matter, according to Orkin Pest Control.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Texas Farm Bureau Rainfall affects fly control, hay market for ranchers
National Weather Service DFW Monthly and Annual Precipitation
National Weather Service Monthly Rain Levels Since 2000
Align Foundation Repair Drainage
Orkin Pest Control Where Do Flies Lay Eggs Inside Houses?
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Fort Worth Report
The Fort Worth Report is a 501(c)(3) organization that launched April 12, 2021. This new media outlet is built on a foundation of local leadership and local investment. It provides community-sourced journalism that exclusively supports and reports on the Fort Worth community with fact-based, thoughtful and contextual coverage without bias or predetermined agendas. The enterprise is governed by a mission statement, bylaws, and an organizational structure that ensures it remains faithful to these foundational principles.
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About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.