Flying Insects

Scientific Name: Cimex lectularius

Lifespan: Roughly one year, on average.

Problem: Painful stings. Can sting multiple times.

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Both biting and non-biting flies, such as houseflies, are not only nuisance pests, but they are also a health risk, responsible for transmitting diseases and contaminating food. For example, flies are capable of contaminating food and transferring more than 100 pathogens, including malaria, salmonella and tuberculosis. Food contamination is one of the main reasons that fly pest control is so important.

 

All homes and businesses occasionally run into problems with flying pests. House flies, fruit flies, drain flies, etc. visit sites contaminated with rotting organic material to feed and breed, picking up organisms that cause disease and carrying it to food and surfaces in these structures. Flying insects regurgitate onto the food and other organic materials they are eating to dissolve it. They can spread many different diseases when allowed to come into contact with food and the general public.

 

As stated, flying insects are not just a nuisance – they also carry diseases such as tuberculosis, typhoid, dysentery, diarrhea and other foodborne illnesses which can pose a serious health hazard to people and animals alike. The mechanics of how these flies spread disease is very dirty and disgusting. They frequent areas where they find rotting garbage and human or animal waste, then carry germs from those areas to the food we eat. Ensuring that your home or business is clean is the first and most important step in controlling these flying insects.

 

The second step in flying insect control is exclusion and sanitation – this is a must. After these measures are taken, you can then use insecticides that come in residual forms, aerosols, fogging materials, and baiting forms. Fly traps have long been a favorite. There are many forms of fly traps, from disposable fly traps to electronic fly light traps (ILTs) with replaceable light bulbs and glue boards.

 

Proper identification of the species of flying insect is also very important so that the breeding site(s) can be located and the problem corrected. Professional treatment programs are directed at both the larval and adult stages to achieve effective and efficient control. Flying insect control treatment methods include, but are not limited to:

 

• Insect Light Traps 

• Fly exclusion treatments

• Liquid applications 

• Fly baits

• Removing decaying vegetation, etc.