# What is it about poop that attracts flies so quickly?

**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-poop-that-attracts-flies-so-quickly/919372
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 30, 2020, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-poop-that-attracts-flies-so-quickly/919372 "2020-08-30T15:23:49Z")
**Posts on this page:** 2
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ac91a4/32.png) [@Knighted\_Vorpal\_Sword](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knighted_Vorpal_Sword)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2020, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-poop-that-attracts-flies-so-quickly/919372/1 "2020-08-30T15:23:49Z")

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What is it about my dog’s poop that attracts flies so quickly. We’re outside, Sadie (the dog) poops, and before I can even get a bag open, there are flies all over it. What pulls them in so quickly?

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### Author: ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2020, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-about-poop-that-attracts-flies-so-quickly/919372/2 "2020-08-30T16:15:06Z")

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Most likely [skatole,](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skatole) a compound found in feces that produces their characteristic aroma. Flies (and many other insects) are very good at detecting odors.