E-7
DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY
household &
public health insects
FLY CONTROL AROUND THE HOME
Gary W. Bennett and Ralph E. Williams, Extension Entomologists
Several species of flies may be encountered around the home. The more common of these are the house fly, little house fly and various blow flies. These flies are important household pests, not only because of the nuisance of their flying, buzzing and general annoyance but also as carriers of diseases such as dysentery, diarrhea, food poisoning and typhoid fever. Therefore, fly control in the home should be viewed as an important part of good family health and sanitation. During the fall, warm winter days, and spring, cluster flies and face flies may appear in windows. These flies represent a different type of problem and are discussed in publication E-35.

SANITATION — FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE
Insecticides alone cannot be expected to rid a premise of flies. Flies breed in wet, decaying organic matter and can complete a generation from egg to adult in as few as 10 days. Therefore, sanitary practices to eliminate fly breeding must be followed. These practices include regular removal of livestock and pet manure, soiled bedding, straw, garbage, and all other decaying plant and animal matter. Garbage cans should have tight fitting lids. Wet garbage should first be wrapped in old newspaper or the like and then put in plastic garbage bags. This results in easier emptying and cleaning of the garbage can and less material remaining to serve as a fly breeding site. Homes should be kept screened during the summer. If barns and out-buildings are
sprayed to control flies, the control problem around the home will be much easier.

RESIDUAL SPRAYS FOR OUTDOOR USE
Residual (long-lasting) sprays are useful for killing flies outside the home. Areas to be treated include porches, covered patios, garages, breezeways, doghouses or kennels, garbage cans and similar fly resting places. Surfaces treated should be sprayed to the point of run-off. If picnic tables, benches, chairs, etc. are in the area cover or remove before spraying. Pets should be removed from the area before spraying and not allowed to return until spray is dry. Insecticides recommended for residual outdoor sprays are listed in Table 1.
Table 1. Residual sprays for outdoor fly control
Insecticide	Pints to use in 3 gal water	Weeks of maximum effectiveness*
propoxur (Baygon)	1-1/2	4
13.9% EC dimethoate:		
(Cygon) 23-4% EC	1	6
(De-Fend) 30.5%	EC 3/4	6
ronnel (Korlan) 24% EC 1		4
fenthion (Baytex)		
45% EC	3/4	6
*This period will vary considerably depending upon outdoor environmental conditions.
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE • PURDUE UNIVERSITY • WEST LAFAYETTE, INDIANA 47907