What is small, flies, and carries disease-causing germs? The answer is Musca Domestica, or the house fly. We call this nuisance pest the house fly because it is the fly that is most commonly found in and around homes. In fact, you’ve probably seen a number of them come into your home this summer. Although the house fly does not bite, it has very unsanitary life habits that make it a threat to our health. Because the house fly breeds in waste and rotting material, it picks up many germs that it brings into your home. It carries the germs in its saliva and hair. It uses its saliva to break down food and constantly defecates as it feeds. According to pestworld.org, “house flies are capable of contaminating food and transferring more than 100 pathogens, including malaria, salmonella and tuberculosis.”
An additional concern is that house flies reproduce quickly. The Integrated Pest Management Program of the University of California (IPM), states that the complete life cycle (from egg to adult fly) of a house fly can take only 7 days under optimal conditions, and the adult female can lay several batches of up to 150 eggs! Although management efforts can include getting rid of the adult fly, the IPM recommends concentrating efforts on the larval stage. By getting rid of the breeding grounds, the larva or maggots will be eliminated and therefore the life cycle will be broken.
The IPM recommends the following:
1. Remove and dispose of organic waste (including dog feces and rotting fruit) at least once a week.
2. Garbage should be placed in plastic bags and kept in containers with tight-fitting lids.
3. Place garbage containers as far away from the building as possible.
To keep flies from entering your home, pestworld.org refers to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) recommendations:
1. Keep doors, windows and vents closed when possible
2. Install fine mesh screens on windows and doors. Repair tears on existing screens.
3. Get rid of moist areas around your home.
4. Keep garbage containers well sealed and clean.
For an uncontrolled house fly population, please contact Accurate Termite and Pest Control. We’ll do the dirty work for you.