FLIES
There is a huge diversity of flies with approximately 16 000 species known from the Afro-tropical region alone. The most familiar flies are from the Muscidae family which contains some 364 species in our region, the most familiar being the house fly (Musca domestica). Female house flies only need to mate once as they store sperm and produce about 500 eggs in batches of 75-150 on faeces, carrion or food waste. The eggs hatch into maggots in less than 24 hours; in 2-5 days the maggots become pupae. The pupae can develop into adult flies in 2-6 days at 35°C, but this process is much slower at lower temperatures - 20+ days at 14°C. This explains why flies are so problematic around the hottest months of the year (October-December), as their life cycle can be completed in just 7-10 days! House flies live for approximately 28 days.
How serious is a fly problem?
Flies are well known vectors for the spread of diseases such as cholera, typhoid, salmonellosis, poliomyelitis and even leprosy. This is because they (typically M. domestica) feed on human excrement and waste and as they move around they easily spread pathogens and bacterium. Being flying insects they can move greater distances and so exacerbate the spread of disease more rapidly.
What are the signs of a fly problem?
Flies appearing in abundance when you are cooking and preparing meals, or numbers of flies accumulating inside your home, is a sure sign that something should be done to reduce their numbers.
What we will do
We carry out internal fly treatments that ensure flies do not build up inside your home and contaminate food items. These treatments do not stop flies from entering your home, but it does kill them shortly after doing so. Call us for a verbal quote.
We also offer regular fly treatment programs for horse stable yards, abattoirs and other settings that need constant fly management. Fly control programs are tailored to each situation and a free quote can outline what is required.