We're sure you've all asked yourselves this: what happens when a fly lands on your food? Well, we have the answer to your question, but we're afraid you're not going to like it... Here are four reasons to cover your food when you're around flying insects...
Discover our latest podcast
1 - They can lay eggs on your food
If you're done eating and have some leftovers, we recommend you cover them well. If you don't, flies can come and lay their eggs -- which will hatch and become maggots or larvae -- on it.
You have no idea how many bacteria you might be swallowing if you're not covering your plate properly...
2 - They can vomit on your food
Yes, flies can vomit. Even worse, they can do it in a matter of minutes, while sitting on your rice salad or your freshly cooked merguez.
Their vomit, which is made up of their last meal, can contain anything from meat to faeces... that'll later end up in your mouth.
3 - They can deposit millions of bacteria
As you can imagine, flies come and go all over the place. They touch just about every type of surface you can think of. So every time they travel, they collect thousands and thousands of bacteria, including serious pathogens...
4 - They can transmit nearly 65 diseases
...such as cholera, leprosy, diarrhoea, or even dysentery.
Phew! Consider yourself warned and protect your food at all costs, so insects don't come into contact with it.
Bon appétit and happy holidays.
More details in the video at the head of the article.
