Pest Library

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Flies: Non Biting Pests

Flies belong to most vigorous order of insects; Diptera and are characterized by having only one pair of wings. Few species of this group breeds in urban areas and is commonly associated with people’s activities. Some species including common house fly also called as filth fly, drain fly, blue bottle and fruit fly fall in to the category of domestic flies. They have been considered nuisance for thousands of years because they effect human welfare, contaminate food, spread bacteria and transmit diseases.

Features
  1. Grey to Brownish
  2. several dark grey strips
  3. Body covered with small hairs
Habitat
  1. Walls, floors or ceilings, fences, compost heaps and rubbish bins.
Diet
  1. Human food, pet food, Animal waste, garbage, and other decaying organic matter.
Control
  1. Cleaning of drains. Remove all kind of spillage and stagnant water. Cover garbage cans and dumpster.
  2. Exclude any type of vegetation, mulch and mold.
Life Span
  1. 7-45 days

Features
  1. First portion is light yellow to tan color
  2. Rear portion is black with bright red eyes
Habitat
  1. Hovering over the rotten, Overripe and fermenting fruits.
Diet
  1. Decaying fruits and vegetables, garbage.
Controls
  1. Proper sanitation, screening, removal of Ripened fruit, organic material and moist places.
  2. Proper disposal of garbage and maintenance of garbage cans.

Features
  1. Brown, small true flies with short
  2. Hairy bodies and wings giving them a “furry” moth-like appearance
Habitat
  1. Present inside moist drains and hence they are mostly found in kitchens and bathrooms.
Diet
  1. Feed on damp, organic resources that are easily available near the infested areas, such as decaying vegetation, and other plants and animals.
Controls
  1. Cleaning of drains. Remove all kind of spillage and stagnant water.
  2. Drains should be covered.

Features
  1. Brown, dull-grey with black markings
  2. Golden-yellow hairs on the thorax
Habitat
  1. Mostly rest on walls, ceilings, floors or near a human food source, but outdoors they rest on plants, ground, or trash cans.
Diet
  1. Feed on a wide variety of organic matter including feces and many types of liquids.
Controls
  1. Cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys, and underneath the fascia and other openings should be sealed.

Control and Management of flies:

Sanitation and Exclusion:

Like all other pests flies usually prefer areas where they can easily eat, breed and hide. Sanitation and exclusion are critical factors in efficient fly control program. The aim in good sanitation is to remove or prevent any filth that is attractive to adult flies and where fly larvae can develop. Good drainage is also key factor because moisture is a vital for fly breeding.

  • Remove breeding materials such as garbage and manure because flies love to breed on this material because of moisture content.
  • Keep tight lids on the garbage cans and place garbage cans as far away from doors as possible to keep them from moving into the structure because flies are attracted to odor.
  • Remove the carcasses of rodents and birds because flies lay eggs on decomposing material.
  • Clean garbage cans and dumpsters regularly.
  • Clean food delivery spills immediately.
  • Keep loading docks clean.
  • Drain wet areas around garbage collection sites.
  • Keep the pots well drained and do not over water indoor potted plants. The soaked soil will provide a perfect breeding area for flies.
  • Keep outdoor areas cleaned. Clean away any soiled bedding, decaying plant, straw animal matter.
  • Caulk and tighten around all openings such as screens, doors, windows, ventilators, and eves.
  • Openings to buildings should be tightly screened with mesh screens.
  • Equip doors with Air curtains which can prevent fly entry if the velocity is 1,600 feet per minute or higher.
  • Install automatic door closes.
Physical and Chemical Control:
  • Electronic Fly Killers are electronic fly light traps which are very efficient and functional to be used inside only. They are very popular in restaurants and commercial buildings. Monitor these traps to see what types of flies are being caught.
  • Fly Glue Traps can be placed in low access rooms, such as attics and storerooms.
  • Insecticide granule fly baits can be used to aid in house-fly control. These baits should be distributed along walls, window sills or other areas where flies congregate inside buildings, and in areas outside where flies congregate.
  • Insecticide Dusts can also be used. Dust this into all cracks and crevices. The dust will flow into the void areas.
  • Pyrethrin Insecticide Aerosols can be used for immediate results, use pyrethrin in an aerosol form and space spray. They work quickly but give no lasting residual.
  • Fogging using a fine pesticide spray could be done inside a building if necessary for effective fly control.
  • Insecticide Residual Concentrates can be sprayed on surfaces because when flies rest on them, they pick up enough insecticide to kill them. When spraying the surfaces, it should be wet enough to the point of runoff, but not enough to form puddles.