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These
are particularly dangerous insects as they carry
bacteria and other harmful micro-organisms from
the most filthy places onto our food. Flies are
responsible for causing cholera, dysentery, typhoid
and other food-borne diseases. Flies have the filthy
habit of regurgitating food from their gut as they
feed, and excreting faecal pellets on the food.
They are attracted by the odour of decaying organic
matter where they breed and feed. |
HOUSE
FLY
Flies are not only a nuisance pest
but of greater concern is their potential as a carrier
of disease organisms, having been found to harbour over
100 different pathogenic organisms.
House flies are general feeders, being attracted to a
wide variety of substances from excrement to human foods.
Because of their sponging mouthparts, they can feed only
on liquids. However, through regurgitation they are able
to liquefy many desirable solid foods. Also, a house fly
excretes and regurgitates whenever it comes to rest. This
habit coupled with its many body hairs and bristles and
the sticky pads at the base of the claws on each leg make
house flies well adapted for transporting disease organisms.
House flies have been shown to harbour over 100 different
kinds of disease, many of which are associated with filth.
Such pathogens include those causing
• typhoid fever
• cholera
• diarrhea
• dysentery
• tuberculosis
• anthrax
• ophthalmia
• polio
• salmonellosiso parasitic worms.
They have been shown to be disease pathogen transmitters
via their vomit, feces, and contaminated external body
parts.
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BLOWFLY
Larger than the housefly, these
are shiny, metallic blue or green in colour. They're also
known as the "Blue-bottle" fly. They frequent garbage
dumps, dead animals, excrement and food. They are recognised
by the loud buzzing sound they make when flying.
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FRUIT FLY
These are very small and yellow-brown
in colour. They fly around decayed fruit, vegetables or
rubbish. Fruit flies tend to be more active around dawn
and dusk.
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CONTROL
Flies are best controlled through
proper sanitation.
1. Remove garbage, feces and other animal matter regularly.
2. Dispose of such material in a tied plastic bag.
3. Manure to be used as fertilizers should be dry and
kept in tied bags when not in use. Cover manure with a
layer of earth or soil so as not to leave the manure exposed
to flies for breeding.
4. Fly screens fitted to windows and doors prevent flies
from entering your home.
5. Aerosol insecticides can be used to kill adult flies.
However, this is undesirable in kitchens, restaurants
and F&B outlets. Instead, a fly bait consisting of syrup
or food mixed with insecticide is more suitable.
6. The use of electric "zappers" at strategic locations
in restaurants and food processing areas is effective
as a monitoring station to identify the type of flies
as well as for control. Larger "zappers" are used in gardens
for flies and moth control.
7. The most effective preventive measure is to simply
ensure premises are free of exposed food sources and wastes
that flies are attracted to.
8. For effective control, get SWAT
Pest Control to give
you the right advice and recommend the best control measures.
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