Flies

Pestgon FactSheet

FLIES (Musa Domestica)

Description:
There are many types of flies in Southern California. Flies have two pair of wings and vary in color from black green to shiny blue. They are generlly associated with filth, garbage and decaying matter. The common housefly is the most prevalent in our retail and commercial environment. The adult is gray to grayish-black, about one quarter of an inch long. The clear wings have a distinctive vein pattern. The Domestic House Fly is the major fly pest on commercial properties.

Biology:
All flies, including the Domestic House Fly, are associated with unsanitary conditions and can be disease carriers. When feeding, house flies regurgitate some of their stomach contents on the food, then suck it back into their stomach. While walking and feeding on garbage, fecal material and food, flies transfer disease organisms from both inside and outside their bodies. Flies are associated with more than a dozen different diseases. An adult fly can lay 500 eggs over a 4 day period. The life cycle from egg to adult may be from 8 to 12 days in warm weather.

To put it in perspective, if a single pair of breeding flies begin reproducing in April, and all their offspring lived and reproduced at the same rate, it would result in 191,010,000,000,000,000,000 (191 quintillion 10 quadrillion) flies by August. This number would cover the earth 47 feet deep! Fortunately, predators, parasites and a number of other factors drastically reduce fly populations. Nevertheless, in uncontrolled conditions, there can be thousands of nuisance flies.

Economic Impact:
Flies can be trailsome pests in our building and food environments. The presence of flies suggests unsanitary conditions. Promoting pathogens, diseases, contamination and odors. For that reason, fly infestations (as well as cockroaches and rats) come under Health Department guidelines. The economic impact of uncontrolled fly infestations on commercial, industrial or office property can become significant and needs appropriate contro;s in place.

Management Methods:
Pestgon's management methods include, a meticulous inspection regimen, sanitation advice, follow-ups, baits and appropriate insecticides. An effective pest control program, involving flies, requires a mutual effort on the part of owners, managers and the professional pest management of Pestgon, Inc.

Additional Links:
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7457.html