Control flies in your home
Flies are a common issue in both homes and businesses, mostly between early summer and early autumn. Flies can be irritating to staff and families and can leave excretion spots on walls, ceilings, and light fittings.
Flies are responsible for breaking down both rotting protein and degrading vegetation. So actually, they do have an important place in the ecosystem, which most would take for granted. They are, however, not usually welcome inside the home or workspace. They can also be unhygienic, with some species spreading bacteria and vomiting on the food they land on.
Flies food sources increase during warmer periods which results in larger numbers. However, typically just before winter, fly numbers will decline significantly.
During the summer period, fly treatment in Auckland makes up a large portion of the work for pest controllers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common types of Flies in Auckland
House Fly
The Housefly is usually the most common type of fly found in homes and businesses in Auckland. An average medium-sized fly will fly around erratically, often attracted to light sources, they will fly in open windows. They are also attracted to food odours, which will entice them into your home or business. They will land in on uncovered food in the kitchen and at the dining table.
Since houseflies frequently land and rest on surfaces, residual insecticide applications effectively control flies.
Lesser House Fly
The lesser house fly is another common fly found in the Auckland area. They are a little smaller in size than the Housefly and have a habit of flying endlessly in circles, generally in the middle of the room or under the ceiling lights. Although these flies do not often land on people, they are still irritating.
Because the lesser house fly does not often land on surfaces during the day, residual surface treatments are a little less effective, and a combination of fly treatment methods can work better.
Blow Fly
It is not unusual to see the blowfly in Auckland. Although they rarely visit in large groups like the Housefly. They are particularly noisy, and like the Housefly, will fly into and around light sources such as windows. They are large and possess huge eyes. They are not the most discreet fly on the wall. A large group of Blowflies may indicate a rotting carcass such as a rat or decaying protein around the area. They can be a secondary issue to a dead rodent in the ceiling or walls and may be accompanied by their maggots.
Due to their size and metabolism, these Blowflies will take a little longer to be controlled by residual insecticide treatments, but they are still an effective solution.
Common Fly Control Methods
An obstruction such as fly screens is likely the most effective method for controlling flies. They are, however, expensive, sometimes not pretty or practical. Flyscreens are more common in areas where flies are an issue for longer periods, such as Australia, where the climate is warmer. However, some people may be particularly insect’ adverse, and screens may be a good option.
Residual insecticide in New Zealand is the most common Fly control method used. This involves a spray applied to surfaces that flies land on, such as walls and ceilings. The residual insecticide can last easily right through the fly season and give relief from this insect without reaching for the fly spray can. The advantage of residual treatments is their indoor air quality profile. Since the product is static, not airborne, occupants will not inhale it inside the building.
There are many different products available to pest controllers labelled for fly control. Each fly control operator will tend to have a product and method of applying it that they feel is most effective. It is important to talk to a professional pest controller in your area with experience to ensure a quality product is being applied for the best results. Ecosan can help you with this advice in Auckland.
Insecticide dispersing machines are becoming a more common tool for controlling flies. When used appropriately, such devices can be very effective. They are commonly utilised in commercial settings, such as cafés and restaurants. They generally have very low amounts of insecticide dispersed into the air every few minutes, which prevents insects from venturing into the area. The active ingredients are sometimes organic pyrethrums and sometimes synthetic pyrethroids. In our experience, not all devices are equal, and some are considerably more effective than others, even when the active ingredients are comparable. Their efficacy has more to do with the formulation than the active ingredients.
UV Light Zappers used to be very common in industrial use, such as bakeries and commercial kitchens. Electrified UV lamps attract flies to the device, and the insect is electrocuted, which will usually result in a satisfying crackle and pop. However, these devices are no longer used in the pest control industry because fragments of exploded insect bodies can contaminate food products and are considered not very hygienic pest control.
UV Light Traps are a very effective nontoxic and static approach to fly control. These traps attract flies in the same manner as Zapper traps, but the flies are isolated in a sticky cardboard trap. These have a dual function of trapping the insects, which can be later identified and audited, assisting in future IPM control and mapping better solutions for ongoing pest control solutions. UV lamps have also considerably improved with differing light frequencies to attract flies that are not customarily attracted to blue light (Pure white).
