If you accidentally ate fly eggs then, you are likely going to be just fine. In fact, you’ve likely done this many times without really knowing about it.
When fresh food like fruits and vegetables are picked from the garden or a farm, they may already have insect eggs laid on them. This happens before the food is packed and shipped to a supermarket or store.
>> Also read: Home Remedies for Flies
That said, if you have a very weak immune system or are having an autoimmune disease, then eating fly eggs or maggots may pose a risk. For a normal and healthy person, their body will be able to withstand any of these accidental consumption.
What Happens to Fly Eggs Inside Your Stomach?
The human stomach digests food by producing hydrochloric acid. Fly eggs and maggots have soft covering and hydrochloric acid can easily penetrate this covering and instantly kill eggs and worms.
>> Related: Best Fly Killer Products
That said, don’t go out there and simply put any food into your mouth without paying any attention to cleanliness and hygiene. There were reports published on the CDC website that moving worms were observed in the stool of a child and due to ingestion of over-ripe bananas. These bananas were left hanging in the family kitchen when the flies laid their eggs.
The eggs somehow survived the stomach acid and continued to develop into worms or maggots until these were expelled through the faeces. The child was not given any treatment as she was asymptomatic. All the family members were tested and only the child was found positive with maggots in her stool.
>> Also read: How To Get Rid Of Flies Outside On Patio
How To Avoid Ingesting Fly Eggs?
The only way that a person can ingest fly eggs is by eating contaminated food. And since there’s no way for you to know if your food has been contaminated by flies or other pests while it’s being handled or processed, the best bet is to always take a look at what you are eating before putting them into your mouth. Also, try to consume food when it’s still hot.
>> Also read: Best Fly Swatters
Avoid leaving food in the open for too long. Cover them if you are not consuming immediately. For leftovers or anything that can be kept in the fridge, they should be. For raw or uncooked ingredients, avoid removing them from their packaging until you’re ready to cook.
To ensure that food like fruits and veggies are free from pests and eggs, wash them and dunk them in apple cider vinegar or fruit/veggie wash solutions. Use a large bowl, fill it with water, and add a few teaspoons of apple cider vinegar or a few drops of the wash solution. soak your store-bought fruits or veggies for about 15 minutes. Afterwards, simply pour out the water mixture and wash the fruit or vegetable with cold water.
>> Related: Best Fly Traps that Works
Remove trash or litter that may attract flies and other pests. A dirty environment attracts all sorts of pests and especially flies. Clean and sanitise your kitchen after cooking, wiping away any spills, messes, to remove smells that will attract flies.
Lastly, avoid eating from street side food stalls, food paddlers, and unclean restaurants or food outlets. Also don’t risk it by eating overripe fruits or vegetables.
>> Also read: Best Fly Sprays For Doggies
Final Thoughts
If you suspect that you have ingested fly eggs, stay calm. If you don’t show any symptoms like stomach pains, indigestion, diarrhoea, or vomiting then you should be fine.
>> Also read: Best Fly Zappers for the Instant Kill!
Be diligent and observe personal hygiene. You may also pass on fly eggs if you hold clean food without washing your hands. Thoroughly wash your hands and clean the area under the fingernails before handling food or cooking food to avoid contamination.