This pest spotlight features the pest we know as the fly. While Aussies are generally used to the presence of flies, and while this might make it seem like they are an innocuous nuisance, this is not the case. When it comes to flies, a household infestation is more than just a frustration. A fly problem can bring with it health problems like disease, and flies have the potential to contaminate surfaces and food. Flies can be a problem year-round, which is why it is important to be aware of them and to know where to go for pest control services when you need them.

What are Flies?

Flies are a type of insect, and they are of the order Diptera, a word of Greek derivation that loosely translates to “two wings”. This is because insects of the Diptera order fly using one pair of highly developed wings. This order is extremely large, with approximately 1 million different species of fly.

Flies have large eyes, a mobile head, and mouths that are designed for either piercing and sucking, or lapping and sucking, depending on the type of fly. In addition to this, flies possess pads on their feet as well as claws which both enable them to land on and cling to surfaces that are smooth. No doubt, the greatest asset of the fly is the feature they were named for – their wings. These wings have evolved for optimum maneuverability when they are flying, and due to this, they can fly at high speeds and rotate in the air with ease.

Flies are found all across the world, and on each continent except for Antarctica. While there are about 1 million different species, approximately 125,000-150,000 have been formally described. This means that while up to 150,000 species have been investigated intensively, there remain many different species that have yet to be formally studied.

What is the Life Cycle of a Fly?

The life cycle of flies is actually quite complex and is separated into four life stages. First is the egg stage, which is generally very brief. Most female flies lay eggs in any number from 1 to 250, and some lay further successive batches of eggs.

This is usually followed quickly by the larva stage, with eggs hatching into larvae after days, or in some cases, just a few hours. This stage is usually relatively long compared to the adult life of a fly. Most larvae develop in an environment that provides protection, such as fruit and vegetable matter and fungi, or else in a totally aquatic environment.

Next is the pupa stage, when pupae take on various different forms depending on their particular grouping. Pupae possess all of the external adult features of flies, such as their legs, wings, and antennae. However, in this stage, the pupae may be encased in some form of a cocoon, or in some cases, another type of matter like silk, or soil.

Later, an adult fly will emerge from the pupa. In this stage, the fly is born with colourless skin, and in taking its first breaths, it expands which begins to force blood around its body. The adult life of a fly is short, and during this time its only function is to mate, carrying on the circle of life.

When are Flies Considered a Pest?

Flies are considered a pest because they have the ability to carry and transmit disease and infection. This is both due to the fact that their bodies are covered with hair and because they frequently fly between areas of dirt and waste and places associated with food, like kitchens. Unfortunately, flies can transmit diseases such as dysentery and hepatitis, as well as salmonella. This is why the fly is actually a dangerous pest, as opposed to just an irritating nuisance.

How Can I Prevent a Fly Infestation?

The key to preventing a household fly infestation is the same as preventing infestations of ants, rats, and many other types of pests: cleanliness. Keeping a clean and tidy environment is critical for keeping pests like flies away because as shown by their life cycle, they are attracted to waste and dirt. Ensuring that your house is clean at all times can help with preventing a fly problem.

Further, making sure that you don’t leave doors or windows open, and that there are no holes in your flyscreens can help to keep flies out of your home. In addition, keeping food properly covered and stored away at all times can help to prevent flies from landing on and contaminating food.

When you do have a fly infestation, it is critical to contact the experts in pest control. That way, you can rest assured that your fly problem will be taken care of in the most professional, safe, and effective way possible.

Do You Need Pest Control Services?

Look no further than Infinity Pest Solutions. As a family-owned business, we can offer you professional pest control services, alongside exceptional customer service. We have a team of fully trained and licensed pest controllers, and they are ready to help with all your pest problems.

If you find that you have a fly infestation or a problem with another type of pest, then call us at 0402 945 187 or fill out our online contact form to get a free quote.

When you have a problem with pests, it’s never a fun time. In fact, it can be irritating, confusing, and even distressing. Maybe you have an ant infestation in your home, but you can’t find out where or how the ants are getting into your house. Perhaps you have recently been travelling, and have unwittingly brought bedbugs back with you. From bedbugs and ants to possums and cockroaches, these are serious problems that can not only take a toll on your health but on your peace of mind, too. If you have a pest problem, you might be wondering what the best way to take care of the issue is. The answer is simple: call in pest control experts. When you use professional pest control services, you can rest assured that a specialised and licensed expert will get rid of the problem for you. Keep reading to discover four reasons to choose pest control experts, and where you can find pest control professionals in Melbourne. 

Professionals have the Expertise

When you hire a licensed pest control operator, you can be guaranteed that they have the professional knowledge and expertise to do the job correctly. It might be tempting to head to the supermarket for a pest product or try to manage the problem yourself. However, the only way you can be guaranteed that the job is done the right way is by utilising the expert knowledge of professionals. These experts will be able to carry out tasks such as assessing the root of the problem by identifying where the habitat of the pest is. They will also have the expertise to come up with a personalised pest management plan for your particular situation, and carry out this plan using pesticides that they are trained to use. Using a professional for your pest issue means that you can rely on their training and expertise, giving you peace of mind and assurance that the job is done the right way.

It’s Safer

Using a licensed pest controller is also safer in many ways, than trying to tackle the problem on your own. When you have an issue like an infestation, the course of action to rectify this will typically involve pesticides. As we mentioned, experts in pest control are trained to use these pesticides safely, and that should be a critical consideration for anyone with a pest problem. Pesticides can be dangerous to humans and pets if not used or stored in the correct way, and that’s why we always recommend calling in the experts. They will be able to advise you of the best course of action to maintain safety, such as vacating your home during the treatment time, or removing or covering items like toothbrushes and towels (among other things) from the treatment area. Experts will also be able to answer your questions about the pesticide or pesticides they are using.

It’s More Effective

You might still be tempted to attempt to tackle your pest problem on your own. You could go to the supermarket or the hardware store and buy a product off the shelf that will potentially kill the ants, cockroaches, flies, or spiders that you can see around your home. However, one thing to remember is that the root of the pest problem is not always visible, and to treat just the symptom (what you can see) of a problem is not fully treating it. Pest control professionals will be able to treat your pest issue from its root cause, which is more effective. Further, the chemical products on the shelves in retail stores are not necessarily the same ones that the experts have access to. Rather, professionals use pesticides that are more effective for infestations and pest problems because they have the training and license to use them. This means that when you hire a professional, you are getting an all-around more effective solution to your pest issue than if you tried to fix it on your own.

It’s More Convenient

When you hire a professional, you can rest assured that your pest problem with be dealt with properly, efficiently, and safely. What could be more convenient than that? There’s no trial and error on your part, no traipsing to the shops or attempting to deal with the creepy crawlies and critters on your own. Instead, you can leave it to the experts and rely on their professional knowledge and training to take care of the problem for you. In dealing with your pest issue, the experts will ensure your safety and that of your family and pets and will be able to advise you on what to do to minimise any disruption to everyday life. Convenient. Safe. Efficient. What more could you want?

Do You Need Pest Control Services?

Look no further than Infinity Pest Solutions. We are here to help with all your pest needs, providing professional pest control services in the Melbourne area. As a proud family-owned business, we provide exceptional pest control and management, alongside the best customer service. Our team of fully licensed and trained pest controllers is ready to assist with all your pest problems.

So, when you need pest control, call us at 0402 945 187, or fill out our online contact form to get a free quote.