High Five

PCOs can resolve virtually any fly problem successfully by implementing a five-step IPM program that includes inspection, identification, determining threshold levels, control and follow-up.

Since before recorded history, mankind has been plagued by flies. Whether sharing his food or shelter with them, or suffering from the countless diseases they transmit, our ancestors have had to contend with flies for thousands of years. The Hebrew term for the devil, Beelzebub, is translated as “Lord of the Flies.”

From Egyptian hieroglyphics and the writings of Aristotle, to modern battles trying to suppress them on every continent, flies have always been linked to mankind, most commonly as a pest.

Do flies deserve such a lowly reputation? Yes! They are far more than an irritation. They affect our health in several ways. First is the annoyance factor. A single fly can drive one crazy as it pings around a lampshade. Second is the allergic reaction they can cause in humans. A fly’s body is covered with tiny hairs. These can break off, become airborne and inhaled, or become imbedded in the eyes, nasal passages or ears, causing an allergic reaction in many people. Next, many species of flies are parasitic, laying their eggs in the nasal passages, eyes and ears of animals and even humans. Finally, disease transmission by flies can cause serious illness and even death. We have no way of knowing how many cases of dysentery and salmonella occur each year due to food contamination by flies.

The order Diptera, which is comprised solely of the flies, is the fourth largest order of insects with more than 110,000 species. There are probably less than 20 that require serious pest management measures in and around structures. The most recent edition of the Handbook of Pest Control by Arnold Mallis divides flies that infest structures into five separate groups: filth flies, small flies, overwintering flies, biting flies, gnats and midges.

The filth flies include the housefly, little housefly, blow flies and flesh flies. The small flies include fruit, vinegar and pomace flies, as well as phorid flies and moth flies. The primary overwintering flies are the cluster fly and face fly. Biting flies include mosquitoes, stable flies, deer flies, horse flies and black flies. Finally, there are a variety of gnats and midges that are generally pests in and around aquatic areas, often being attracted to the lights of buildings.

AN IPM APPROACH. With so many different types of flies in and around structures, how do we develop a pest management program for them? We do it by incorporating IPM principles into our treatment programs. IPM is a process that involves five steps — inspection, identification, development of threshold levels, employment of two or more control measures and follow-up evaluation.

An IPM approach can and should be employed in every situation. It is an effective approach because it makes no difference what insect is causing the problem or the type of structure involved. We simply place these two factors into the IPM “template” and proceed ahead. Then, by considering any restrictions that might be inherent in the account, we can determine the appropriate control measures. Let’s walk through the IPM process step by step and see how it applies to fly control in and around structures.

STEP 1: THE INSPECTION

A thorough inspection is critical to the success of any management program. The inspection should be an orderly, organized procedure designed to determine several important things about the account, including how the flies gained access to the structure, the location and extent of the infestation, conducive conditions, sanitation deficiencies, etc. It should include all of the premises, both indoors and outdoors.

Every level of the structure should be inspected including attics, living spaces, basements, crawlspaces, etc. No area should be overlooked because an infestation may begin in one location where favorable environmental conditions exist and quickly move to another part of the building. That’s why identifying all current and potential breeding sites is essential when designing a control program.

Monitoring traps can be very effective when inspecting for flies. These may include any number of different light traps for attracting and killing flying insects. When correctly placed, such traps can provide an “early warning system” alerting you to infestations.

Record everything you find. Clear, thorough information will enable you to evaluate the entire account and to review your findings with the customer. A floor plan for large commercial accounts is a must. Also consider the use of a sanitation report to point out deficiencies that need to be addressed by the customer.

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STEP 2: IDENTIFICATION

Identification is an integral part of any IPM program. This knowledge enables you to determine what control measure to employ and when, where and how to employ them. Without a thorough understanding of the pest’s habits, life cycle, habitat and biology, you cannot implement a successful control program.

In addition, several states require that both the target pest and the chemical used in the account must be listed on the treatment record. Since specimens may be damaged and thus difficult to identify, use a “holistic approach” when attempting to identify the target pest. Simply put, by considering where it was found, what it was doing and other characteristics of the infestation, you can often make a positive identification. Once a pest has been correctly identified, its food preferences, breeding and harborage sites, behavioral patterns, biology, habits and damage potential may be determined, as well as the recommended control options.

STEP 3: THRESHOLD LEVELS

Simply put, a threshold level is the number of pests — flies in this case — that can or will be tolerated in a particular account or location within that account. Depending upon the fly species, account in question, regulatory restrictions and the customer, this number may vary. For example, a single housefly in a loading dock area of a hospital will be tolerated and probably ignored. The same fly in an operating suite is intolerable.

Keep in mind, however, that the threshold level should be established prior to determining the control measures necessary.

STEP 4: CONTROL MEASURES

Unlike many conventional pest control programs that rely primarily upon pesticide applications, an integrated pest management (IPM) approach first considers non-chemical control measures. The primary objective of an IPM approach is to design a program that uses more than a single strategy or control measure. The typical IPM program includes sanitation, mechanical controls, cultural controls and chemical controls. A brief review of each of these elements follows.

Sanitation. Quite simply, sanitation is the elimination of water sources, pest harborage sites and food so as to inhibit survival. To be effective, it requires the cooperation of the customer who is normally the one who provides the sanitary measures. Flies, like all living things, have four basic requirements: food, water, shelter (pest harborages, breeding sites, etc.) and conducive environmental conditions (temperature).

All sanitation practices should be aimed at reducing or removing at least one of these essential requirements. Ideally, all four need to be addressed for long-lasting fly management. Many sanitation practices can be used in an integrated pest management approach for the control of virtually any pest. These include:

• Removal and proper disposal of waste foodstuffs and garbage.
• Timely cleaning and storage of all cooking utensils.
• Elimination of standing water or the source of leaks.
• Degreasing of equipment, washing of all floors, counters and other surfaces that might accumulate foodstuff.
• Trimming or removing of dense foliage around buildings which may collect trash and, hence, harbor flies.
• Cleaning up of trash around the building and its perimeter.
• Keeping garbage in closed containers.
• Providing drainage of standing water.
• Disposing of animal waste and spilled animal food or feed.