Usually, I’d cover one of the more dangerous infestations when I’d write these articles. But today we’re going to shift gears a little bit. This may not be the most dangerous or pressing of pest insects, but you can bet it’s one of the most annoying. That’s right, Today we’re talking about Florida Fly Control.
Florida Fly Control: Overview
Although a common house fly problem may seem like a minor irritation upon discovery, infestations can grow quickly. House flies enter the home when a fertilized female fly locates an indoor source of trash or other decaying, organic material within which to lay her eggs. Females are capable of laying many eggs at one time.
Within 24 hours, eggs hatch into small, white larvae, also known as maggots. Maggots feed on the same decaying, organic matter within which they hatched. The sole purpose of the larval housefly is to store nutrients for the pupal stage of its life. After approximately four days, larvae develop small, hard, brown pupal cases in dry, dark locations.
It is difficult to address a house fly infestation because adults are fast moving and pupae are nearly impossible to locate. To avoid infestation, strict sanitary measures as well as exclusion techniques, such as repairing damaged window screens, should be undertaken. If your home is already a host to a house fly infestation, contact your local pest control professional to discuss methods of Florida fly control.
Why Are House Flies a Problem?
House flies are unpleasant to have around. These pests create an eyesore in homes and often fly in people’s faces or hover over food. While these behaviors are frustrating on their own, these insects also carry a variety of bacteria and other disease causing organisms.
Links Between House Flies and Disease
With their diet of feces, trash, rotting produce, and spoiled meats, house flies constantly pick up pathogens. The insects then carry these germs and leave them behind wherever they land. The transfer process only takes a matter of seconds.
In addition to spreading the bacteria that cling to their bodies, these flies often vomit and defecate where they land and feed. These pests often gather in kitchens and buzz around food, so this behavioral tendency adds to the potential spread of house fly diseases.
Florida fly control: identification
The best way to control pests in the home is to know what you’re dealing with. There are two groups of house flies, divided by size. These are the ones that most frequently invade your home.
Large Flies
Common House Fly
Adult house flies are grey to black in color. The pests search for food waste or pet feces to lay their eggs in. They can be found in trashcans, sewers, and dead animals. This housefly species also spread diseases, like salmonellosis, when they come into contact with your counters.
spreads diseases, such as salmonellosis, when the insects contaminate kitchen surfaces.
Cluster Flies
Slightly bigger than the common house fly species, cluster flies are dark-grey in color and have golden colored hairs on parts of the thorax. These pests invade homes in autumn as they search for a protective place to overwinter.
Cluster fly infestation problems occur at two points in their lifespan, one is when the insects get inside while seeking overwintering sites in attics or wall voids in large numbers and the other is when they complete their overwintering phase, known as diapause, and begin to look for a way to leave the home and return to the outdoors. As temperatures rise, cluster flies can swarm indoors as they look for an exit.
Blow Flies
Also called bottle flies, these pests develop inside carrion or rotting meat. Finding many of the shiny blue or green insects indoors usually indicates the presence of an animal carcass in the attic or walls. The blow flies found in buildings are fairly large, metallic gray, blue, or black colored flies. Two of the more common species are the black blow fly and the blue bottle fly.
Small Filth Flies
Drain Fly
Although often mistaken for a small version of the common house fly species, drain flies have a distinctive furry or moth-like appearance. They infest sink drains or unused garbage disposals to lay their eggs in the organic sludge that builds up inside pipes. Since their breeding sites are hard to reach, drain flies are tough to remove.
Fruit Fly
Yellowish-white or tan with red eyes, these pests feed on sugary items. They develop inside drain lines or almost any source of moisture that accumulates inside poorly cleaned garbage containers. Fruit flies are kitchen invaders that drink and are attracted by vinegar, soda, or the juice of overripe produce. The insects crawl into liquids or sticky syrups, causing contamination. Fruit fly infestations typically are more frequent in summer and fall, but will occur anytime a suitable source of food and developmental sites are nearby.
Lesser House Fly
Another tiny pest that frequents homes is the lesser house fly, also known as the little house fly. About two-thirds the size of the larger common house fly species, they create similar problems.
Florida Fly Control: What To Do?
The easiest way to deal with different house fly species is to remove potential breeding sites and conditions. Pesticides are available but may not be safe for use in homes with children or pets. Also, homeowners are inclined to use bleach to help control flies that develop in drains. This may not always be a safe thing to do unless homeowners use diluted bleach instead of concentrated bleach.
The best thing for a layman to do once an infestation starts is to contact a pest control specialist. Preferably one that uses natural methods due to the inherent danger of pesticides, especially if you live in a home with children, pets, or the elderly. Remember, once the infestations are established they will only get worse over time. It’s always better to be safe than sorry and contact someone for an in home consultation at the very least.