Warning: Do not read during lunch. Flies are filthy.
Ever had a pesky fly ruin your otherwise pleasant lunch? The buzzing, the landing on your food - it’s enough to ruin anyone’s appetite! This month, at Heritage PPG, we are shedding light on fly control. Annie Caden, our knowledgeable Territory Manager, has provided some insight into these unwelcome guests and how to keep them at bay.
Biology Overview
While flies play an important role in ecosystems, they’re nothing short of a nightmare for picnics and indoor settings. These critters have a rapid reproduction rate and a limited lifespan. Did you know that house flies can’t eat solid food? They spit digestive enzymes on food to break it down and then slurp it up. Disgusting! Furthermore, they lay eggs in organic material such as feces, decaying plants, and dead bodies which provide food for the larvae upon hatching.
Identifying the Fly Invaders
Drain Flies
- These flies are not far from the drains which they are feeding and breeding in since they are inefficient fliers. Identifying the source is crucial.
Fruit Flies
- They are attracted to ripening produce but can also be found near organic matter in drains, unwashed recyclables, and fermented liquids.
House Flies
- Common sources are rotten food, fallen food behind trash cans, unattended pet waste, and improperly disposed garbage.
Control Methods
Cleaning up is the most basic yet highly effective method. Ensure that the kitchen and other areas are sanitized. It’s also important to close doors or install screens to prevent flies from entering your home. As Annie Caden emphasizes, cleaning up thoroughly after meals is crucial.
- For homeowners, it is advisable to keep up with a quarterly pest control service with a licensed professional, and keep your house clean.
- For pest management professionals, ensure that homeowners understand the importance of maintaining cleanliness.
- Using residual insecticides for general pest control is effective as most have flies on the label.
- Other control methods include Insect Light Traps (ILTs) and drain gel cleaner.
- Hanging sticky traps can also be effective but use them with discretion as they can be unsightly.
Some common fly control insecticides to consider include:
- Alpine Pressurized Fly Bait: It contains a ready-to-use formulation. It's fast-acting and easy to apply. Features dinotefuran and can be applied in residential settings, garbage containers, and other areas where flies are a nuisance. It can be used as an area, band, or spot treatment. It dries almost clear and doesn't have a foul odor.
- Maxforce Fly Spot Bait: It can be sprayed or painted on and is an easy way to control house flies inside and outside. It contains attractants and the active ingredient imidacloprid, which kills the flies in 60 seconds or less.
- Maxforce Granular Fly Bait: Kills flies for up to 30 days and in 60 seconds or less. Contains four powerful attractants and is labeled for use around the outside of structures and partially enclosed or protected areas. It's perfect for outdoor areas to kill and control flies for a month.
- Catchmaster Goldstick Fly Trap 962: It features a long tube with a highly adhesive surface. It can be placed in areas where flies are active, such as around windows and on patios. They have an attractant that lures the flies and a sticky glue that keeps them trapped for good. They also have a fly pheromone that acts as an attractant and lures the pests to the glue sticks. Once they've landed on the surface, the flies are unable to escape and will eventually die. When the sticks are covered with flies, just grab the traps by the end handles and toss them in the trash bin.
One key point to consider is the location of control methods that attract flies to eliminate them, such as baits and ILTs. Place these products in the vicinity of the infestation but not in areas where food is served.
With this guide, you are now well-equipped to tackle the pesky flies. A big thanks to our pro Annie Caden for sharing her expertise. Remember, cleanliness is key, and always be mindful of the location when using control methods.