The eggs of F. canicularis are white with a pair of dorsal longitudinal flanges or wings. They hatch in 20–48 hours at 24–27°C (75–80°F) and the larvae require 6 or more days to reach pupation, which lasts 7 or more days.

The total life cycle (egg to adult) is 15–30 days, depending upon temperature. At any given temperature the life cycle is slightly longer than for the house fly.

Fannia canicularis females produce a pheromone, (Z)-9-pentacosene, which is slightly attractive to the males. A weaker sex pheromone in F. femoralis and F. pusio is present and has been identified as (Z)-11-hentriacontene.

Adults of the little house fly can be recognized by their behavior in animal facilities. The adults fly slowly in circles and tend to hover periodically. They are often seen circling above animal pens and walkways.

Since the little house fly does not tolerate high temperatures as well as the house fly, in temperate regions the number of adults will often decline in mid-summer after an early summer peak.