F
ly, whether it is a common house fly (Musca domestica), little house fly (Fannia canicularis) , fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster ), drain fly (Sychodidae ) or species of blow fly (Lucilia)… is a huge nuisance and poses serious danger of contamination in food processing and handling industries. Flies breed on animal waste and decaying organic material, including food waste, from which they pick up bacteria and viruses which could contaminate the food assembly line or the packing section.Food processing units have to adhere to HACCP and international audit standards. Therefore, to effectively control flies in industrial environments, comprehensive strategies both chemical and nonchemical need to be deployed in food processing and handling units.
Elimination of habitat
Removing waste material prevents development of larvae. This breaks the lifecycle of the fly, thereby preventing new growth of adult flies. While chemical and non-chemical strategies may be effective in suppressing adult fly populations, they are not a substitute for proper sanitation and aggressive elimination of fly developmental sites.
Chemical
Chemical larvicide spraying in and around areas outside the manufacturing unit where food waste is dumped can control breeding of larvae.
Non-chemical
Electric fly killers (EFKs): EFKs attract flies with the UV light emitted by UV tube lights and get electrocuted when they touch the electrified metal grid. These units when used externally by food processing units can control the adult fly population around the main building.
Electric fly catchers (EFCs): EFCs can be very effective within the processing unit to control the remaining flies that still manage to get into the processing unit despite the measures taken outside. Here the principle of attraction is the same but flies get stuck to the glue board
Sticky Ribbons: Sticky ribbons which have a pre-gummed ribbon strip and use UV to attract flies can also be used within the unit or outside to control flying population.
Dos and Don’ts for fly control
- Prevent breeding: Keep your surroundings clean and food waste covered at all times. All waste bins must have tight fitting lids. These bins must be closed at all times.
- Waste disposal: Dispose off food waste periodically
- Cleaning of drains: Keep the unit drainage clean, do not allow overflow of drainage by periodically removing blockage.
- Deny entry: Install air curtains, insect screens and automatic door closers to deny entry to flying pests
- Audit of insect entry sites: Conduct regular audits or ensure your pest control professional carries out audits and gives you reports on possible insect entry sites.
- Use non-chemical methods: Use non-chemical methods to control flies as much as possible by installing EFKs, EFCs, Sticky ribbons in sufficient numbers as recommended by the pest control professional working with you.
- Awareness / education about fly control: Ask your pest control professional to make a presentation on effective fly control for your unit personnel. This will increase the awareness and help in maintaining the environment free of flies.
Pest Control (India) Pvt. Ltd
