Here's Why Flies Rub Their Hands Like They're Planning World Domination
Cleaner than some men I know.
Cover image via Ever caught a fly sitting on a table, rubbing its tiny hands together like a cartoon villain plotting something sinister?
Well, before you start worrying about a fly uprising, let's clear things up — flies aren't secretly scheming to take over the world.
The real reason behind this hand-rubbing behaviour is actually super practical.
Image via Tenor
Despite their love for garbage and \ahem\ poop, flies are surprisingly neat freaks when it comes to their own bodies
When you see a fly rubbing its front legs together, it's actually cleaning itself!
Flies rely on their tiny hairs (or setae) to sense their surroundings, so keeping them free of dirt and gunk is crucial.
Image via Abhi Raj/Unsplash
Flies don't just use their legs for walking — they also use them to taste things
Yup, their feet are basically mini taste buds.
If their legs are dirty, their ability to sense food (or whatever else they're interested in landing on) is compromised.
So, that little hand-rubbing action? It's them making sure they're in top form for their next snack attack.
Image via Arabia Weather
A clean fly is a well-balanced fly. Dust or debris on their legs and wings can mess with their ability to fly efficiently.
By keeping themselves polished, flies ensure they can dart around smoothly, avoiding swats from annoyed humans.
So no, flies aren't plotting against us (at least, not that we know of). That hand-rubbing action is just their way of staying clean and ready for their next adventure — whether that's buzzing around your kitchen or narrowly escaping your rolled-up newspaper.
Next time you see a fly doing its little "evil" hand-rubbing routine, just remember — it's not personal, it's just hygiene.
Image via Reddit
