Tips for successful house fly control

Dr. Cassie Krejci, Animal Health Technical Field Specialist, MGK

House flies (Musca domestica) are one of the most commonly encountered pests around the globe, living in close association with humans and confined animals. Donning four distinctive thoracic stripes and sponging mouthparts, house flies rely on rotting organic matter, such as garbage, to feed and reproduce. Their life cycle — egg, larva, pupa and adult — can be completed in less than seven days under optimal conditions. As the gap between farms and urban areas closes, the biggest threat of flies is their ability to mechanically transmit pathogens, such as E. coli or Salmonella, to Mom’s Sunday dinner.

Successful house fly control requires a multi-pronged approach:

1. Inspect for conducive conditions.
2. Install mechanical control devices as warranted.
3. Apply interior and exterior insecticide as warranted.
4. Monitor for fly population and repopulation.

To avoid potential resistance with flies at an account, it is important to rotate the modes of action used in your treatment protocol.