Flies

Types

blowfly

Blow Fly

Characteristics

  • Slightly larger than house fly, and metallic blue/green color
  • Blow fly comes from the bloated condition of the rotting animal carcasses that their larvae
  • Range in length from 7 to 16 mm (0.28 to 0.63 in); they have robust bodies and wide heads
  • Transmit disease organisms to people, including the bacteria that cause dysentery, typhus, and cholera.
housefly

House Fly

Characteristics

  • Have sponging mouthparts and eat solid food by first liquefying it with their saliva
  • Warm organic material such as animal and poultry manure, garbage, decaying vegetables, fruits, piles of moist leaves, and lawn clippings
  • Life cycle: 6 to 10 days
  • Carries bacteria and viruses that cause conditions such as diarrhea, cholera, food poisoning, yaws, dysentery
fruitfly

Fruit Fly

Characteristics

  • Dew lover. Has bright red eyes and the body is light yellow to tan color
  • The compound eye of the fruit fly contains 760 unit eyes or ommatidia and are one of the most advanced insects
  • Identified as pomace flies or vinegar flies. These pests can be found throughout the world, in homes, food processing plants, warehouses, grocery stores, wineries, restaurants and other structures.

Entry

Flies can fly in from outside through open & inadequately screened windows and doors. They usually gather around nearby dumpsters & outdoor garbage area where fruits and vegetables & foodstuffs are disposed.

Ideal Environment

Flies will breed in drains, garbage disposals, empty bottles and cans, trash containers, mops and cleaning rags. All that is needed for development is a moist film of fermenting material. Flies also breeds in the super thin layer or film of debris that naturally accumulates in pipes, traps and drains

Reproduction

One pair of flies can produce more than 1 million offspring in as little as six (6) to eight (8) weeks. The entire lifecycle from egg to adult can be completed in about a week.

Allergies/Disease

Flies can transmit diseased organisms to people, including the bacteria that causes dysentery, typhus, and cholera, diarrhea, food poisoning, yaws, and dysentery.

“Band-Aid” Solution

The best way to avoid problems with flies is to eliminate sources of attraction. Fruits that have ripened should be eaten, discarded or refrigerated. Damaged portions of fruits and vegetables should be cut away and discarded in the event that eggs or larvae are present in the wounded area. Do not leave any leftover food & unwashed dishes overnight.
Once a structure is infested with flies, all potential breeding areas must be located and eliminated. Unless the breeding sites are removed or cleaned, the problem will continue no matter how often insecticides are applied to control the adults. Pipes, drains & traps should also be cleaned regularly.

Garbage should be disposed everyday especially those containing food debris. Garbage juices from garbage collection attracts flies, it should be thoroughly cleaned after every collection to avoid infestation.

Signs of Infestation

Infestations can originate from over-ripened fruits or vegetables that were previously infested and brought inside the structure.

Prevention and Control

Mechanical (Clients, Tenants, Housekeeping)

  • Locate and eliminate breeding areas
  • Garbage cans and dumpsters should have tight-fitting lids and can be cleaned regularly
  • Openings of buildings should be tightly screened

Chemical (Pest Control Provider)

  • Sticky traps or fly bait
  • Misting or fogging
  • Larvaciding