Eggs hatch in 1 to 3 days, and the maggots feed for 11 to 30 days before reaching maturity, depending on the weather. When fully grown, they pupate and within 6 to 20 days, emerge as adults which live for 20 to 30 days. Each female lays 200 to 400 eggs during her lifetime. Stable flies have two primary generations per season, peaking in early July and again in early September. They overwinter as larvae or pupae.
Stable flies can travel many miles from the breeding site.
Little house flies usually are most abundant in early spring and late fall, when fly control practices normally are considered unnecessary. Eggs are deposited chiefly on decaying vegetable matter and chicken, hog, horse, and cattle manure. Life cycles may vary from 3 weeks to 2 months, depending on environmental conditions. The larvae are flattened, about 6 mm long when fully grown, and conspicuously fringed with spinelike projections. The pupae resemble the larvae in appearance.