Flies
More
than 100 pathogens are associated with the house fly including: Salmonella,
Staphylococcus, E. coli and Shigella. These pathogens can cause disease
in humans and animals, including: typhoid fever, cholera, bacillary
dysentery, hepatitis, ophthalmia, polio, tuberculosis and infantile
diarrhea.
Sanitation is critical to controlling these pests, however, accurate
identification is essential for success.
Interesting
facts about flies:
Do-it-yourself
ineffectiveness: Most do-it-yourself removal techniques only kill
the flies you see. For every fly seen, there are an estimated 19 more
hidden from view. This means humans don’t even see 95 percent
of flies present at an infestation.
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Drain Fly
Latin Name: Family Psychodidae
Appearance: About 1/16-inch long with a light gray or tan body
and lighter-colored wings. The body and the wings are covered with
long hairs, giving the fly a fuzzy appearance. When at rest, the wings
are folded over the body in a characteristic roof-like manner.
Habit: In homes, adults are found on bathroom, kitchen or basement
walls. More active at night, do not bite and, surprisingly, do not
transmit human diseases.
Diet: Organic matter and sewage.
Reproduction: Eggs are laid in irregular masses almost anywhere
decomposing organic materials are found. Under favorable conditions,
the flies can go through one generation in as little as one week.
Two to three weeks is more typical.
Other: Although they breed in sewage, drain flies apparently
do not transmit human disease.
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Fruit Fly
Latin Name: Family Drosphilidae
Appearance: Adults are about 1/8-inch long, have red eyes and
a tan thorax. The abdomen is black on top, gray underneath.
Habit: Adults are strong fliers and have been known to travel
as far as 6 1/2 miles within a 24-hour period. Populations tend to
build during the summer, becoming very abundant at harvest time. Indoors,
drosophila are frequently active at all times of the year.
Diet: Ripened fruit and vegetables. Fermenting products.
Reproduction: Larvae develop in moist areas where organic material
and standing water are present. The entire life cycle lasts 25 days
or more depending on the environmental conditions and the availability
of food.
Other: Drains should be the initial inspection site when encountering
an infestation. The adults are often seen flying in areas located
away from the source of infestation.
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House Fly
Latin Name: Family Muscidae
Appearance: Usually gray, less than 1/4-inch long with four
black stripes on the thorax.
Habit: They prefer corners and edges or thin objects to rest
on. Indoors, they rest on floors, walls and ceilings during the day.
Outdoors, they will rest on plants, the ground, fence wires, garbage
cans, etc. Night resting places are usually near sources of food and
5 to 15 feet off the ground.
Diet: Wide variety of food, including human food, animal food
and carcasses, garbage and excrement.
Reproduction: House fly eggs are laid in almost any warm, moist
material that will supply suitable food for the larvae. The female
begins laying eggs a few days after hatching, laying a total of five
to six batches of 75 to 100 eggs. In warm weather, eggs hatch in 12-24
hours.
Other: More than 100 pathogens associated with the house fly
may cause disease in humans and animals, including: typhoid, cholera,
bacillary dysentery and infantile diarrhea.
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Phorid-Humpbacked Fly
Latin Name: Family Phoridae
Appearance: Most are black or dull brown, but some are yellowish
in color. Very small—1/16- to 1/8-inch. The arched thorax of
the adult gives them a humpbacked appearance.
Habit: Characteristically short and erratic flight. Adults
have a peculiar habit of rapidly running across windows, TV screens,
tables, walls and plant foliage. These flies are frequently mistaken
for "gnats."
Diet: Some species feed on fungi, while others are parasites
of various insects.
Reproduction: Larvae develop in moist areas where organic material
and standing water are present. Phorid larvae also develop in animal
matter. The entire life cycle lasts 25 days or more, depending on
the environmental conditions and the availability of food.
Other: Drains should be the initial inspection site when encountering
an infestation. The adults are often seen flying in areas located
away from the source of infestation.
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Coming
soon...
Gnats:
Blow
Fly:
