Dr Nicky Gallagher, Technical Services Manager at Syngenta, shares some tips on how to minimise the health threat posed by houseflies.
While houseflies are certainly a nuisance pest, irritating both humans and animals alike, they can also transport disease-causing organisms, making them more than just an annoyance. Houseflies have a short development cycle and reproduce quickly under favourable conditions (25-300C), which increases their populations and resulting damage. While the common housefly is not the only bothersome insect for your customers, it is quite common and often found in excessive numbers, and for these reasons, an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approach to house fly control is recommended.
Including the following steps can help ensure a successful IPM program.
Breeding prevention
Each female housefly has the capacity to lay approximately 500 eggs, which are laid in warm, moist, organic material such as manure and garbage. Manure management is an essential step to keep breeding house flies at bay and prevent further emergence of adult house flies. Wet straw or feed should not be allowed to accumulate as it can become a potential harbourage or breeding site.
Adult fly management
Both mechanical and chemical methods are necessary for housefly control. Insect light traps and sticky traps are useful for controlling adult house flies in areas of low visibility. Depending on the application site, baits can be scattered near housefly resting areas or placed in bait stations.
Residual insecticides
Products like Demand Duo from Syngenta can be applied as a spray to adult housefly resting areas, such as vertical walls. Even when applied at the low use rates, Demand Duo remains effective on house flies and other pests. Demand Duo can be used inside and out, on porous and non-porous surfaces.
Housefly problems aren’t something customers have to put up with. With good preventative steps and targeted insecticide applications you can keep your customers free from the nuisance and potential health threat of houseflies.
Dr Nicky Gallagher, Technical Services Manager, Syngenta Professional Pest Management