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Flies

There are over 120,000 species of flies worldwide. Many are considered pests because they pose a health risk to humans, pets and livestock through the spread of food poisoning, dysentry and diarrhoea. Flies can infest your home or business and spread diseases like Salmonella and E. coli. A few species may even bite humans and animals.  Depending on the size of your fly problem, there are various methods for fly control, these range from traps to baits to sprays. Seasonality also plays a part in fly control, so if you do have an infestation, our trained technicians will be able to advise and guide you to the most effective fly control solution.

Stopping flies getting into your property is never easy. If a small fly problem is left uncontrolled, it has the potential to turn into a serious fly infestation. Some fly species are able to mature from eggs to adults in just seven days. There are simple ways you can identify the signs of a fly infestation and reduce the need for fly control. Taking a proactive approach to get rid of flies will also help you avoid more costly treatments to eliminate flies if an infestation becomes more serious.

Common Fly Species

Flies can regularly be found in homes and businesses across the US. Some species are more common than others and are attracted to different environments suited to their natural habits and lifecycle. Knowing about the size, habits, seasonality and lifecycle of different fly species, can help to identify the most effective prevention and fly control methods.

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FACT: On average, the adult housefly will live for around 30 days. They go through a complete four-stage cycle that consists of egg, larva, pupa and adult stages.

House Fly

(Musca domestica)

House flies are major carriers of disease and can infest all types of premises. They are attracted to all types of food, including human food, pet food, animal feed, food waste and even feces. Seeing adult flies is usually the most common sign of activity and a potential problem. Larvae may also be seen as they crawl out of breeding material to pupate.

Key Facts

  • Adult is 5–8mm in length.

  • Grey thorax with 4 narrow stripes.

  • Buff or yellow abdomen.

  • Covered with small hairs that serve as taste organs.

  • Complex compound eyes – with thousands of lenses allows them a wide field of vision.

  • 4th wing vein bent and wing tips slightly pointed.

  • Larva is white and tapers to a point at the head end. There are 2 spiracle “spots” at the hind end, is legless and 12 mm in length when mature.

Horse Flies

(Family tabanidae)

Horse flies are a particular pest to livestock. Relentless biting attacks by females can result in reduced weight gain in some animals.

Male horse flies are mainly pollen and nectar feeders and are most active during daylight hours.

Horse fly bites can be very painful for humans too.They have mouth parts that work like miniature knives, which they use to slash open the skin with a scissor–like motion.

Key Facts

  • Adults can be up to 25 mm long.

  • Black to dark brown in color with green or black eyes.

  • The males have contiguous eyes, which easily differentiates them from females where the eyes are widely separated.

  • Horse fly bites can be very painful.

Bluebottle Fly

(Calliphora vomitoria)

Bluebottle flies (also known as Blow fly) can often be seen hovering around dustbins. These scavengers are attracted to pet feces and dead animals and as such are known carriers of disease.

Their name originates from their iridescent colors that are similar to colored bottles.

Key Facts

  • Adult is 1/4" - 1/2" in length.

  • Metallic blue color.

  • Larva — Similar to the house fly larva in all respects except size. 3/4" when mature. They take 7 – 12 days to mature.

Fruit Flies

(Drosophila species)

Fruit flies are commonly found infesting fruit or hovering around fermenting residues found in bars, fruit orchards & vegetables plots and breweries

Key Facts

  • 3mm in length.

  • Yellow–brown or mottled in colour.

  • Bright red eyes.

  • Abdomen hangs down in flight, which is slow.

  • Tend to hover.

Drain Flies

(Psychodidae)

Filter flies are often associated with sewage beds, where larvae feed on sludge–like organic matter. They are also known by a variety of names; drain fly, sewage fly and moth fly are a few examples.

Key Facts

  • 2mm in length.

  • Tan coloured body appears as grey.

  • Wings densely covered in hair and held tent–like over the body when at rest.

Crane Flies

(Mosquito Hawk)

Crane flies pose no immediate harm to humans. Adults do not feed, bite or sting.

They can be found in damp, mossy woodland.

Key Facts

  • Adult is 60mm long (wingspan 75mm).

  • They are grey–brown and slender.

  • Legs are super–thin and long.

  • Larvae is 15–75mm long. They are worm–like and grey, brown or cream coloured.

  • When resting, some crane flies extend their wings and others fold them flat.

Fly Infestation risk in the Food Industry

If you run a bar, restaurant, food processing plant or any other business that handles or serves food, then flies can be a particular nightmare. You’ll need to have effective fly control in your food preparation and storage areas otherwise the flies could spread diseases and contaminate food.  

Not only would this be bad for your reputation, but it could also lead to loss of earnings – you might be shut down if you don’t comply with legislation. It could really help to get advice from us.

  • With over 20+ years' experience, we’re the Food Industry experts in fly control

  • We’re up to date with current food safety and hygiene requirements in Food Processing, Food Retail and Restaurants and Bars.

Fly Control for Businesses

Nobody likes to be surrounded by flies at work. It can be very concerning for both your staff and your customers. It’s not just that flies are annoying, but they can also spread nasty diseases, contaminate foodstuffs and even bite people. Obviously, this can have serious consequences for your business, as it gives a poor impression to customers and employees.

Fortunately, we can help you can remove problems with three quick steps, giving you effective fly control in your business.

  1. Call us and we guarantee to get back to you within 24 hours (Monday to Friday) to arrange an appointment.

  2. A Fly Specialist will visit your business and put together a tailored solution, free of charge.

  3. A Certified Technician will discreetly put the plan into action as soon as you give the go-ahead – taking the appropriate action to make sure the flies are gone for good.

  4. We specialize in Residential and Commercial Pest Control.

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