Flies this time of year can be downright distracting. Let me give you an example. The other night, my wife and I were doing our patriotic duty and were watching the presidential debate. When I saying ‘watching,’ maybe I should clarify: My wife was on Pinterest & I was day-dreaming about Elk hunting. In our defense, the TV was truly on, and it truly was tuned to the channel of the debate. Anyway, between imaginary Elk bugles and cute decorating ideas we both looked up and to our surprise & delight, the pest control world and the political world collided in a brief but spectacular way:
I kid you not. This isn’t photoshopped, and no, that is not a fly on my TV. A fly actually landed on the eyebrow of Hillary Clinton. What are the reasons for such pest control effrontery you ask? A Political tactic? A Government conspiracy? A drone? Insects colluding to influence American Politics?
No, it was actually a good ol’ fashioned house fly, or Musca Domestica Linnaeus just doing his/her thing. They are a pain, and, as it turns out, non-partisan. This year on May 25 a fly landed on The Donald at a political rally, and it was caught on camera:
Fly populations begin to grow in Boise area in the spring, when overwintering larva or pupa develop and hatch. This process continues during the spring and summer, culminating in (oftentimes) large numbers in the fall.
They are more than just a pain. House flies, for example, can spread diseases such as food poisoning and dysentery. Flies often feed and lay eggs on garbage, manure and carrion before contaminating human foods and food preparation surfaces by landing on them. When feeding, house flies regurgitate their stomach contents onto food to liquefy it before ingesting it. They also may contaminate food and surfaces by defecating on them.
With those lovely thoughts marinating in your head, take heart! There are some things you can do help your fly situation:
• Keep garbage and trash in containers with tight fitting lids and use liners. Keep trash cans away from doorways and windows. Big trash receptacles (the ones you put outside for the garbage man to pick up) should be kept as far away from the house as you can.
• Avoid food or beverages spills; any spills should be cleaned up immediately. All crumbs or other particles should be picked up.
• Remove trash, newspapers, magazines, piles of paper bags, rags, boxes, and
other items that provide hiding places and harborage.
• Eliminate bad odors that attract flies to your home. Pick up pet waste & dropped fruit immediately. Not only are flies attracted to these odors, but can actually lay their eggs in them, spawning a whole new generation of flies.
• Standing water in the lawn and landscape should be avoided, as eggs and larva need moist areas to mature.
• Shut your doors and windows! If you HAVE to have them open, install screens, and make sure doors &
windows are properly sealed, etc.
There are also some very safe and effective products that can be used to help eliminate these pests from inside your home. Thankfully, here at Barrier Pest Control we are an equal-opportunity-non-partisan fly managers, so give us a call if you have any questions, we’d love to help!
