Why sanitation is a critical part of a successful integrated pest management

Rockwell Labs

Fruit flies, drain flies and phorid flies can be a challenge to control because they have short life cycles and can multiply quickly when their food sources and breeding sites are available. Even small amounts of organic debris can support a significant small fly population. Small fly larval development sites need to be eliminated to successfully manage the problem.

Because small flies typically are a sanitation pest, sanitation measures that help eliminate conducive conditions are a critical part of a successful integrated pest management (IPM) program.

This includes:

• A regular program to clean up food and drink spills.
• Using lined bins for trash and recycling that receive food and beverage containers, along with regular emptying and cleaning.
• Regularly cleaning/treating cracks, crevices and under/behind equipment where food residues can accumulate.
• Checking incoming produce for fruit flies. Breaking down and disposing of shipping cartons immediately.
• Cleaning/treating drains, traps and strainers at least twice weekly to eliminate organic residues.
• Fixing leaks to eliminate preventable chronic moisture.

Bio sanitation, the use of microbial surface and drain cleaners, is the most effective way to clean in an environment with chronic moisture and organic buildup. The microbes actually digest the organic debris, activating when in contact with their food source.