Skip to content

How to Say “Housefly” in Tagalog (Langaw)

  • by

In Tagalog, a housefly is called langaw.
Houseflies are common pests found in homes, farms, and gardens across the Philippines. They thrive in warm, humid environments and are known for spreading germs and diseases by contaminating food and surfaces.

This guide includes vocabulary words related to houseflies, example sentences, and important facts about houseflies in the Philippines.

Housefly Vocabulary Words in Tagalog

Here are common Tagalog words connected to houseflies and their environment:

  • Langaw – housefly
  • Insekto – insect
  • Hayop – animal
  • Bahay – house
  • Peste – pest
  • Sakit – disease
  • Marumi – dirty
  • Bukid – farm
  • Hardin – garden
  • Hayop na walang buto – invertebrate

These words help describe houseflies, their behavior, and their impact on homes and farms.

Example Sentences Using “Housefly” in Tagalog

Here are simple Tagalog sentences to help you practice:

  • Ang mga langaw ay nagdadala ng sakit sa tahanan.
    Houseflies carry diseases to a home.
  • Ang langaw ay kumakain ng likidong pagkain.
    A housefly feeds on liquid food.
  • Ang langaw ay tumitikim ng pagkain gamit ang kanilang mga paa.
    A housefly tastes food with its feet.
  • Ang langaw ay maaaring maglakad ng patiwarik.
    A housefly can walk upside down.
  • Ang mga langaw ay nangingitlog sa pagkain.
    A housefly lays its eggs on food.
  • Ang mga langaw ay may napakabilis na reaksyon sa mga galaw.
    A housefly has a very fast reaction to movements.
  • Ang langaw ay tumatae ng madalas.
    A housefly poops a lot.
  • Karamihan sa mga langaw ay nabubuhay sa loob ng isang buwan.
    Most houseflies can only live for a month.
  • Ang langaw ay may matalas na pang‑amoy.
    A housefly has a strong sense of smell.
  • Ang mga langaw ay maaaring magdulot ng mga nakakahawang sakit.
    Houseflies can spread infectious diseases.

Houseflies in the Philippines

Houseflies (Musca domestica) are a major, year‑round pest in the Philippines. The tropical climate allows them to breed continuously, making them a persistent problem in homes, markets, and farms.

Breeding & Habitat

Houseflies thrive in:

  • Garbage and food waste.
  • Manure in poultry and livestock farms.
  • Rotting organic matter.
  • Dirty or poorly sanitized areas.

Seasonality

Although present all year, they are most active during warmer months, when breeding accelerates.

Health Risks

Houseflies can transmit:

  • diarrhea
  • dysentery
  • typhoid
  • cholera

They spread these diseases by contaminating food and surfaces with bacteria from garbage, feces, and decaying matter.

Appearance

  • 5–8 mm long
  • Gray body
  • Four dark stripes on the thorax

Control and Management Methods

Keeping houseflies under control requires good sanitation and preventive measures.

1. Sanitation (Most Effective Method)

  • Dispose of garbage properly
  • Cover food at all times
  • Clean up pet waste
  • Maintain proper sewage and drainage

2. Physical Controls

  • Flyswatters
  • Sticky traps
  • Window and door screens

3. Professional Services

For severe infestations, pest control companies in the Philippines often use:

  • ULV misting
  • Foaming treatments
  • Residual sprays

These are especially common in poultry farms and food businesses.

Major Impacts in the Philippines

Houseflies can cause serious disruptions.
In 2017, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered the closure of several poultry farms due to severe housefly infestations affecting nearby communities.

Conclusion

Learning how to say housefly in Tagalog helps you describe insects, pests, and common household concerns in everyday conversations. Understanding how houseflies spread disease—and how to control them—is especially important in the Philippines, where they thrive year‑round.