Summer Fly Control

Jul 19
08:10

2012

Ma. Theresa Galan

Ma. Theresa Galan

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Fly problems around homes separate into two basic categories—summer or warm season problems and cool weather or overwintering fly problems. These flies are well known for buzzing around and annoying people endlessly.

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Even though the same fly species can be a problem in both warm and cool weather,Summer Fly Control Articles control methods are different for these two seasons.

Fly Control in the Summer

Outdoor Areas

Control low fly numbers by using a residual insecticide spray to treat surfaces where flies usually rest. The discussions of fly identification and behavior given above can help you know where the flies might be coming from and where to apply insecticides for control. Take a few minutes to watch the flies to find out where they are resting or what seems to be attracting them.

If large numbers of flies are present in your yard, then there is probably a fly breeding site on your property or nearby. Look for areas where flies may be breeding; clean up these areas and make whatever changes necessary to prevent this condition from recurring. The residual insecticides can be sprayed into the areas where maggots breed after clean-up. This gives temporary protection against further maggot development.

Indoor Areas

The invention of cheap, mass-produced fly screening was one of man's greatest achievements toward assuring healthful and comfortable homes and work places. Indoor fly control should be 99 percent exclusion, using screens, caulking, etc. When flies come inside as doors and windows are opened or while screens are in disrepair, use of an insecticide aerosol gives temporary relief. Push-button aerosols containing synergized pyrethrins or resmethrin and total release aerosols are effective. Be sure to read the product label and follow directions for best results.

Fly paper or other sticky traps are effective to a limited extent. Insecticide-impregnated resin strips claim 3 to 4 months of fly control indoors but are only effective if used at the correct rate and where little or no ventilation exists. These strips are not to be used in food preparation areas or where infants, the elderly or people sensitive to insecticides sleep. Because flies are nearly always attracted to odors from kitchens, these strips can not be used where they are most needed. Also, if a fly problem persists over a long period, then you need to have tighter window and door screens or better sanitation, rather than fly strips. For these reasons, resin strips are not recommended for indoor living spaces.

Fly Control in Cooler Seasons

Adult house flies, blow flies and perhaps other species often seek overwintering shelter in wall voids and attics of homes or other buildings. Here they cluster together and remain largely inactive until temperatures warm up in the spring. Flies also may enter rooms of the home from the attic or wall voids at different times during the winter. As with indoor fly control during the summer, overwintering fly problems can be avoided by using careful exclusion techniques. Be sure that cracks and holes in the house siding and around windows or doors are well caulked. Be sure ventilation holes in the eaves are carefully screened. So called weep holes in the brick veneer of many Texas homes allow easy, direct access of flies and other insects to the wall voids. From there, they may enter the home directly or move to the attic. To make weep holes insect proof, plug them with pieces of nylon or plastic scouring pads, such as those sold to scour no stick pots. Square pieces of window screening that are 4 to 5 inches wide also can be placed in weep holes to prevent pest access to wall voids. Do not caulk or totally seal weep holes because they prevent excessive condensation from forming in wall voids.

For more helpful information on this topic, check out the links below:

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