FLIES

Common Forms:
Blowflies (calliphoridae)
House Flies (musca domestica)
Flesh Flies (sarcophaga spp)

Blowflies
Blowflies cause a very significant problem in meat processing plants, commercial canteens, food preparation areas and domestic kitchens. The female blowflies deposits her eggs by 'blowing' the eggs in clusters onto the meat or meat products. This renders the contaminated meat unsuitable for human consumption.

House Flies
House flies are known to transmit enteritic diseases such as gastro-enteritis and dysentary and are inplicated in the spread of typhoid and cholera. They will settle and feed on all types of food material. The adult fly ejects saliva onto a solid food which, when disolved can be sucked back up. This process results in drops of vomit being left during feeding. They also leave dark specks, which are an indication of the flies defication (commonly known as fly spotting).

Flesh Flies
This species belongs to the same family as blowflies. The only difference being the female gives birth to live larvae. These immediately burrow into live food ejecting enzymes which dissolve the meat and provide a liquid food supply.

Control:
With most fly species hygiene and proofing are the most important factors. Windows should be screened with fly mesh, all food and waste bins should be covered, drains and gullys (particularly near kitchens) should be cleaned frequently.

Spraying with residual insecticides to the breeding sites and areas where the flies congregate should prove effective. Electronic flykillers and flytraps may also be used to control flies in sensitive areas.