FLIES: Fact, Identification & Control.

There are types of flies, such as:-

- Blow fly.

- Bottle fly.

- Drain fly.

- Fruit fly.

- Gnat.

- House Fly.

- Phorid -Humpbacked fly.

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 and hepatitis. Sanitation is critical to controlling these pests. Here are some other things you should know about flies and fly control:

- Depending on the species, the life expectancy of a fly is eight days to two months or, in some cases up to a year.

- Flies plague every part of the world except the polar ice caps.

- One pair of flies can produce more than 1 million offspring through their offsprings’ offspring in a matter of weeks.

- Millions of microorganisms may flourish in a single fly’s gut, while a half-billion more swarm over its body and legs.

- Flies spread diseases readily because they move quickly from rotting, disease-laden garbage to exposed human foods and utensils.

- Because they only have two wings, flies land often and therefore can deposit thousands of bacteria each time they land.

- Every time a fly lands, it sloughs off thousands of microbes. If a fly lands on food or utensils, customers may ingest germs that can trigger serious illness such as diarrhea, food poisoning, meningitis and bloodstream infections.

BLOW FLY.

Latin Name

Family Calliphoridae

Appearance

Blow flies are often metallic in appearance, with feathery hairs on the terminal antennal segments of the males. Adult blow flies have sponge-like mouth parts, while maggots have hook-like mouth parts.

Behavior, Diet & Habits

Blow flies belong to the Family Calliphoridae of flies under the Order Diptera. Blow flies are attracted to decaying meat and are typically the first organisms to come into contact with dead animals. The meat of dead animals is essential for larval survival and growth. They are also attracted to plants that give off the smell of rotting meat and as such, can be a pollinator for those plants.

BLOW FLY.

Latin Name

Family Calliphoridae

Appearance

Blow flies are often metallic in appearance, with feathery hairs on the terminal antennal segments of the males. Adult blow flies have sponge-like mouth parts, while maggots have hook-like mouth parts.

Behavior, Diet & Habits

Blow flies belong to the Family Calliphoridae of flies under the Order Diptera. Blow flies are attracted to decaying meat and are typically the first organisms to come into contact with dead animals. The meat of dead animals is essential for larval survival and growth. They are also attracted to plants that give off the smell of rotting meat and as such, can be a pollinator for those plants.

Blow fly larvae.

Blow fly larvae are also known as maggots. Measuring 9 to 22 mm in length, maggots are equipped with hook-like mouthparts and spiracles for breathing. They are soft and pale in color and appear similar to worms or grains of rice. Each body segment of the blow fly maggot has a median row of fleshy tubercles that resemble hair.

Blow fly maggots are generally seen near dead animals. Blow fly eggs are laid in rotting meat, where maggots feed and complete their development before seeking a dry location within which to pupate. After maturing, larvae create outer skins, known as puparia, that look like rat droppings or cockroach egg cases. Pupae develop within the puparium, maturing into adult blowflies.

Different species of blow flies are active at different times: the Calliphora vomitoria are most commonly found on carrion during cooler months, while the Phaenicia sericata are more active in hot seasons. Other species thrive more in the shade, while some require hot temperatures to complete the maggot developmental stage.

Signs of a Blow Fly Infestation

The most common signs of blow flies are either the adults themselves or their larvae.  The adults may be seen resting on surfaces or buzzing around potential food or odor sources. 

FRUIT FLY.

Latin Name

Family Drosophilidae.

Appearance.

Adults are 3 to 4 mm long, may have red eyes, though some are dark eyed, and a tan thorax. The abdomen is black on top, gray underneath. Fruit flies can appear to be brown or tan in color.

Behavior, Diet & Habits

Populations tend to build during the summer, becoming very abundant at harvest time. Indoors, fruit flies are frequently active at all times of the year.

Fruit flies eat ripened fruit and vegetables and fermenting products, fruit fly food, fruit fly feeding habits and fruit fly in bananas.

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.

Signs of a Fruit Fly Infestation

The two most visible signs of fruit fly activity would be the adult flies and the pupae.  Adult flies often are seen flying around in kitchens or trash cans near the decaying fruit or vegetables. 

They also are attracted to liquor and liquor/beer bottles. The mature larvae of fruit flies crawl out of the breeding material to pupate in a dry nearby spot. They sometimes are mistaken for cockroach or rodent droppings but can easily be differentiated by a pair of horns on one end of the pupae..

Fruit Fly Control

It is extremely difficult to rid a home of the common fruit fly. Fruit flies are attracted to sugary, organic materials. As their name suggests, they are commonly found infesting fruit. However, fruit flies are also capable of breeding in decaying meat, trash bins and large spills of soda or alcohol. Any fruit brought home following that should be stored in the refrigerator if appropriate. Regularly wipe counters, clean spills and empty your trash cans to help prevent fruit fly infestations.

The first step in addressing a fruit fly infestation is the destruction of their feeding and breeding grounds. Fruit flies often lay their eggs in rotten fruit and other soft, sweet, organic materials. If you identify a fruit fly infestation in your kitchen, dispose of all over-ripe or damaged fruit. Any subsequently purchased fruit or vegetables should be kept in the refrigerator until the fruit fly infestation dissipates.

If there is no fruit or vegetable matter in your kitchen, check your garbage and recycling bins. Fruit flies may also use unclean drains as breeding grounds. Outdoor drains are likely sources of yard-based fruit flies, as are overripe fruits beneath the trees from which they have fallen.

After isolating the fly breeding ground, control methods may be utilized. Although eradication may require several treatments, the lack of food available to fly populations will eventually cause them to die out.

Other Ways to Get Rid of Fruit Flies in Home

Bacterial digesters are available to pour down infested drains. Bleach can sometimes be effective; although it is rarely stays in the drain long enough to address the accumulated slime that attracts fruit flies. While not effective at eliminating an infestation, fruit fly traps may provide temporary relief by trapping some of the adults.

Types of Fruit Flies

- Mexican fruit fly.

- Citrus fruit fly.

- Olive fruit fly.

- Carribbean fruit fly.

- Mediterranean fruit fly.

HOUSE FLY.

The house fly, Musca domestica Linnaeus, is a well-known cosmopolitan pest of both farm and home. This species is always found in association with humans or the activities of humans.

 It is the most common species found on hog and poultry farms, horse stables and ranches. Not only are house flies a nuisance, but they can also transport disease-causing organisms. Excessive fly populations are not only an irritant to farm workers but, when there are nearby human habitations, a public health problem could occur.

LIFE CYCLE OF HOUSE FLIES.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Adults usually live 15 to 25 days, but may live up to two months. 
• Without food, they survive only about two to three days. 
• Female flies need access to suitable food (protein) to allow them to produce eggs, and manure alone is not adequate. 
• The flies are inactive at night, with ceilings, beams and overhead wires within buildings, trees, and shrubs, various kinds of outdoor wires, and grasses reported as overnight resting sites.
• The house fly is 6 to 7 mm long, with the female usually larger than the male. 
• The female and can be distinguished from the male by the relatively wide space between the eyes (in males, the eyes almost touch). 
• The head of the adult fly has reddish-eyes and sponging mouthparts. 
• The thorax bears four narrow black stripes and there is a sharp upward bend in the fourth longitudinal wing vein. 
• The abdomen is gray or yellowish with dark midline and irregular dark markings on the sides. 
• The underside of the male is yellowish.

HOUSE FLY CONTROL.

The First step in House fly control is exclusion and sanitation. After these measures, you can 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 with replaceable light bulbs and glue boards.

THANK YOU FOR READING!



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