Lesser House Fly (Fannia Canicularis)

This fly is smaller than the housefly and is a significant pest of poultry homes where it breeds prolifically. It will also breed in any moist decaying matter, the larvae have projections which enable them to "swim" or move through semi-solid waste.

Lesser House fly flies in a very characteristic manner for long continuous periods beneath lamps, in shafts of sunlight or above the litter of a deep-litter pit of a poultry house. This flight is made on a series of irregular triangular or quadrilateral courses, hovering at the corners and darting in between. When alone and undisturbed these flies maintain a more or less constant height and regular course, but when more than one patrols the same beat - one will dart towards the other, a flurry and then dispersal ensues. One of them recommences the pattern. This activity is characteristic of the male of the species. The females tend to remain near the breeding sites and do not migrate like the males do.

Fly Facts

The life expectancy of a fly is 8 days to 2 months.

Flies plague every part of the world except the polar ice caps.

One pair of flies can produce more than one million offspring in as little as six to eight weeks.

Flies transmit pathogenic protozoa, bacteria, virusses, worms, rickettsia and fugues. They also serve as host for staphylococcus aureaus, salmonella entireties, E. Coli, strep agalaciae and strep agalctiae. As many as 33 million microorganisms may flourish in a single fly's gut, while half a million more swarm over it's body and legs.

Flies spread diseases readily because they move quickly from rotting, disease-laden garbage to exposed foods and utensils.

If a fly deposits one bacterium on a container of egg custard, at the end of 24 hours, that one bacterium will multiply to 280, 000, 000, 000, 000 bacteria - more than enough to cause food poisoning symptoms. A fly deposits thousands of bacteria each time it lands.

For every fly seen, there are an estimated 19 more hidden from view. This mean humans don't even see 95 percent of flies present at an infestation.

When flies eat they regurgitate an enzyme called volidrop, along with a portion of their stomache contents, which softens their food, making it easier to digest.

Discouraging Fly Activity

• Removal of high moisture areas - simple drainage can greatly aid in fly management.
• Have garbage picked up frequently.
• Garbage cans and dumpsites should have tight fitting lids and be cleaned regularly.
• Dry garbage and trash should be placed in plastic garbage bags.
• Wet garbage should be wrapped in old newspaper and then put in plastic garbage bags.
• Keep all garbage receptacles as far from doors as possible.
• Openings to buildings should be tightly screened having a mesh no larger
  than 12 to the inch for the larger flies and 18 to the inch for smaller
  insects (including mosquitoes).
• It is usually unnecessary to screen above the third storey of a
  building.
• Monitor fly management programme regularly to keep the problem from
  re-occuring.
• Non-poisonous fly traps can eliminate the use of pesticides in sensitive
  areas.
• Move light sources above an exterior door to a location 10-15 feet away.

Control
Successful Control of flying and crawling insects requires regular service by a professional pest control company. Eradication requires a close understanding of the pest species, its biology, lifestyle and habits.

Contact Enserve now for a free survey

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