Why do flies swarm around/like to eat feces and urine?

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I have a strong notion that flies (and other insects) swarm around and supposedly eat urine/feces which has been sitting around. Think of a portable outdoor toilet at outdoor events or construction sites (without the chemicals).

However, fresh urine is sterile.

Why do flies do this? Are the attracted to the metabolic byproducts from urine which has been sitting around?

In: Biology

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Anonymous 0 Comments

Urine may be sterile, but it most definitely isn’t odourless, and flies are attracted to the smell.