Fly Solutions

Types of Flies.

There are several species of flies which can be a nuisance in domestic environments. The House fly, the Lesser House fly, the False stable fly, the Cluster fly, Flesh flies, the Black blow fly, the Green bottle fly, the Blue bottle fly, the Hover fly, the Moth fly, the Phorid fly and the Fungus gnat are just a few of the over 16000 species of fly in North America.

 

Proactive Control

The majority of pest flies breed in moist decaying matter. Removal of breeding places, manure, garbage and debris will assist in reducing fly numbers. Regular garbage removal and cleaning of surfaces prone to organic residue collection should be considered. Outdoor fly eradication programs should also include landscape, water and soil management to eliminate potential breeding sites.

Management System

Fly problems area  result of improper sanitation and on farms or in zoos this is usually associated with poor manure compost management. The use of anti-fly curtains, screens, air doors, sticky traps, electronic fly grids, live traps, light traps and optical attractants (yellow fly paper impregnated with an aggregation pheromone) can prevent flies from entering a structure or can capture those that do. Outdoors, fly traps can be used to attract flies by luring the flies to rotting meat into a one-way sealed lid and jar system. Various insecticides are available, however their use will not be very effective unless the sources and conditions conductive to infestation are first eliminated.

Cluster Flies: Cluster flies enter the house in fall to hibernate in walls and attics over the winter. Homes with white siding or pale coloured brick or stone that have large south-western exposure tend to be preferred. Older farm homes can also be a favourite over-wintering site. The best method of controlling cluster flies is to prevent the flies from entering the structure. This is achieved by filling cracks and crevices around windows and door frames with caulking compound, screening all attic vents, and replacing or refitting loose shingles. Vacuuming of dead and live flies as they appear in mid-winter will reduce the likelihood of secondary infestations from protein loving Larder beetles and other Dermestid beetles. Cluster flies are best controlled in late August before they start to hibernate.

More Resources:

Link to more information on flies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly

Link to Canadian government information on cluster flies: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/pest-control-tips/clustering-flies.html

 

For more information about our fly solutions, or to schedule a peace of mind inspection for your home, contact Pest Xpress.

Pest Xpress is a proud member of the Trent Hills Chamber of Commerce.