Pestgon FactSheet
“ If they fly they die…if they crawl they fall”

FLIES (Musa Domestica)

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

Biology:
All flies, including the Domestic House Fly, are associated with unsanitary conditions so they are disease carriers. When feeding, house flies regurgitate some of their stomach contents on the food, which dissolves it. Then they suck it back into their stomach. They leave fecal deposits where they have walked. While walking and feeding on garbage, fecal material and food, flies may transfer disease organisms from both inside and outside their bodies. They are associated with more than a dozen different diseases. The life cycle from egg to adult may be from 8 to 12 days in warm weather. Here is a Pestgon, Inc., factoid. “A pair of breeding flies beginning in April, if all were to live, would result in 191,010,000,000,000,000,000 (191 quintillion 10 quadrillion) flies by August. Allowing 1/8 cubic inch to a fly, this number would cover the earth 47 feet deep.” The flight range of a housefly is from 2 to 20 miles. We are fortunate that 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:
It goes without saying that flies are among our most despised pests in our building and food environments. The presence of flies suggests unsanitary conditions and all that is associated— pathogens, diseases, contamination and odors. For that reason, fly infestations (as well as cockroaches and rats) come under the laws of the Health Department. So, Pestgon, Inc. recognizes, that the economic impact of uncontrolled fly infestations on commercial, industrial or office property can become significant.

Management Methods:
The professional arsenal of Pestgon, Inc. includes, prevention, 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