Beware of the NOT so Innocent Fly as Temperatures Continue to Rise

30 March, 2011

As temperatures continue to rise and a feeling of summer is in the air, Rentokil, Ireland’s leading provider of pest control services has warned of the threats posed by the innocent common house fly, which will remain in full flight until October. The message from experts at Rentokil Ireland is to ‘take control before they do’!

According to Dr. Colm Moore, Technical Manager, Rentokil Ireland: “Flies can potentially pose a greater risk to public health than people realise. They breed on a variety of substances such as horse manure, human excrement, and cow manure, fermenting vegetables, kitchen waste, blocked drains etc. 

They can multiply in a very short time. For example, the common house fly, Musca domestica, develops from egg to adult in as little as 7-10 days and each female lays about 500 eggs in clutches of 120-150 eggs during her brief 15-25 day life span. Flies are also extremely mobile and can therefore very easily spread contaminants.”

Did you know?

  • Flies can’t eat solid food, so to soften it up they vomit on it. Then they stamp the vomit on it until it’s a liquid, usually stamping in a few germs for good measure. Then when it’s good and runny they suck it all back again, probably dropping some excrement at the same time. And then when they have finished eating, it’s your turn…

People working with food, particularly the supply of food for human consumption should never underestimate the implications of having flies in or around their premises. 

It is very important for those involved to fully understand the food industry thoroughly, so they can target, and more importantly, address issues at different stages of the food supply chain. 

For instance, almost any type of raw goods and fresh produce will be attractive to flies, while the liquid mixing stages of food manufacturing will be particularly attractive to a whole range of insects such as flies, cockroaches and Stored Product Insects (SPIs), which inhabit machinery and ingredients.

Tackle food related infestation issues with Rentokil's Top Tips:

Cleaning

  1. Thorough, regular cleaning is vital to avoiding infestation. Regularly inspect tucked away places when cleaning. Flies proliferate where it is warm and moist and they can go undisturbed, for example under floors.
  2. To help with the reporting and auditing of pest problems, use pest trend analysis. This can be done manually but Rentokil has developed PestNetOnline, an online monitoring system that allows you to oversee multiple sites and easily identify problem areas.

Storage

  1. Waste should be stored in an enclosed container away from stock.
  2. There should be sufficient bins available to cope with your waste requirements.
  3. Water acts as a life source for most flies and in particular attracts fruit flies. Ensure your store is kept dry with no leakages or spillages.
  4. It is important that old stock is not left undisturbed for too long a period, as it becomes the perfect hiding place for pests.
  5. Products stacked in store warehouses should be 70cm away from the wall to ensure you can check what’s behind them.

Prevention is better than the cure

  1. If you do spot a pest on your premises it is essential to seek professional advice immediately, so swift action is needed to eradicate the problem.
  2. Insect proof your building – erect fly screens for persistent or difficult to control situations.
  3. It is a good idea to set up a contractual relationship with your pest controller, who can provide continual service and therefore peace of mind, ensuring premises remain healthy, hygienic and pest-free.

(Ends)


Issued on behalf of Rentokil by Heneghan PR
For further information, please contact:
Louise McNamee / Sorcha Mullis
Heneghan PR
01 6607395
louise@hpr.ie / sorcha@hpr.ie

About Rentokil

Around the world, Rentokil is the leading provider of pest control and specialist hygiene services. The company protects homes and commercial premises from the damage, health risks and nuisance that pests cause. While flies, insects and rodents might be the first that come to mind, Rentokil technicians also provide specialist treatment against woodworm. Whatever the pest, Rentokil can deal with it.

For information about Rentokil services, visit www.rentokil.ie or call 1890 869 869.