IDENTIFICATION:
Houseflies can be easily identified by the four dark, longitudinal stripes on top of the thorax, or middle body region. They vary in length from one-eighth inch to a quarter inch. Their mouthparts are adapted for sponging up liquids; they cannot bite. These flies can only ingest liquid food. They feed on attractive solid food by regurgitating saliva on it. The saliva liquefies the solid material which is then sponged up with the proboscis.

LIFECYCLE:
The eggs are deposited in the decaying matter such as grass clippings, garbage, human and animal excrement. Horse manure is the preferred breeding medium. About 100-150 eggs are deposited by each female on appropriate food. Eggs may hatch in 7 1/2 hours when temperatures are above 99°F, or it might take two days if the temperature is only 59°F. Eggs hatch into warm-like creatures called maggots. The lifecycle from into a doll, may take as little as one week, but normally requires three weeks for completion.

THREAT:
The U.S. Department of Agriculture sources revealed that flies contaminate or destroy $10 billion worth of agricultural products annually. More than 100 pathogens are associated with the house fly, including Salmonella, Staphylococcus, E. Coli and Shigella. These pathogens can cause disease in humans and animals, including typhoid fever, Cholera, bacillary dysentery, and hepatitis. Sanitation is critical to controlling these pests, but accurate identification is essential for success for fly control.

SOLUTION:
There are four critical principles of pest management in controlling these flies; sanitation, exclusion, non-chemical measures, and chemical methods. Our pest management professional will thoroughly inspect all areas interior and exterior of your home to develop a plan for elimination and protection. SANITATION: do not allow such materials as maneuver, garbage, grass clippings, weed piles or other decaying organic material to accumulate. Keep trash cans clean and tightly covered. Caulk or plug any openings. There should be no openings around water pipes, gas pipes or electrical conduit that feed into the building. NON-CHEMICAL: The installation of ultraviolet fly traps, sticky fly traps, air zones, air mats and door sweeps. CHEMICAL CONTROL: treating the exterior of the structure with a residual insecticide, fogging cracks & crevices, applying bait granulars, and dusting wall voids.