Get in Touch
Contact a local Expert now!
Fly infestations are on the rise in Ireland: Top tips to get rid of flies
Spring is here, and the flies are coming! They sting, they bite and they annoy.
There was a 92% increase in the number of fly infestations in Ireland this Spring compared to the same period in 2017. Recent warm weather and precipitation is contributing to the growth in fly numbers as flies emerge from hibernation in search of food.
With over 120,000 species of flies worldwide, flies are considered pests because they pose a health risk to humans, pets and livestock. In fact, they can infest your home or business and spread more than 100 different pathogens by contaminating food surface. The common house fly spreads food poisoning, diarrhoeal diseases and skin and eye infections, posing a serious headache for business owners. These diseases can have an impact on both customer and staff health, resulting in damages to income, brand reputation and staff retention. Of all pests, flies are also responsible for causing the highest number of staff illnesses, even more than rodents and cockroaches.
How To Prevent and Get Rid of Flies
Flies can regularly be found in homes and businesses across the counties of Ireland. Some species are more common than others and are attracted to different environments suited to their natural habits and lifecycle. Knowing about the size, habits, seasonality and lifecycle of different fly species, can help to identify the most effective prevention and fly control methods
Dr. Colm Moore, Area Technical Manager of Rentokil said: "It is vital that food manufacturers, retailers and restaurateurs take appropriate due diligence when it comes to flies. Business owners may be tempted to think a small infestation is not a problem. However, it doesn’t take long for a small amount of flies to reproduce in large quantities. Fly larvae take 7 to 10 days to mature into adults, and in their lifetime they may produce 1,000 eggs. If a small infestation is not stopped, you will see a dramatic increase in their numbers. It is important to act if you see an unusually large number of flies or if they are really interfering with your home life or business.’’
Rentokil recommends taking the following steps:
- Ensure that kitchen doors are closed at all times
- Keep all bins covered and have a suitable number of bins to match your waste requirements
- After dark, keep windows and doors closed or block out the light with curtains
- Install fly screens, particularly on windows near kitchen and waste areas, to prevent flies from entering the home in the first place
- Always cover food so as not to attract flies but also to reduce the spread of diseases - flies spread diseases by landing on food before we eat it
- Clean up food and liquid spillages immediately
- Clean food debris from under kitchen appliances
- Keep compost enclosed and covered
- Keep drains cleaned and clear from debris
- Clean up after pets - not only are faeces the perfect breeding place for flies but also somewhere a fly may land before landing on your food!
- Check your roof for old birds’ nests as they can be a source of flies, amongst other pests.
How to prevent house fly transmitted diseases
The most efficient way to prevent house fly diseases is to enlist the help of a professional pest control company. A house fly exterminator will be able to offer proactive services and solutions to both control and prevent house flies such us Lumnia or electric fly killers
Do you have any fly problem? Contact us now for immediate assistance