Flies
Problems
Flying insects carry a wide range of dangerous disease-causing micro-organisms all over their bodies, in their saliva and excreta, including E.coli, salmonella, klebsiella, campylobacter and many others. Even a tiny dose of these is enough to cause serious disease. At the very least insect contamination reduces product quality making it unsaleable.
By law, food that is sold must be wholesome and free from contamination and it is a reqirement that every precaution is taken against contamination from flying insect pests. These pests are highly mobile and make no distinction between food that is prepared for human consumption and any other surface that they land on, walk over, deficate on or eat. Many insect species including flies and wasps have particularly unsavoury habits and therefore represent a high contamination risk to the spread of disease.
Flies are fluid feeders and need to liquidise the food before they can eat it. To do this they produce quantities of saliva, this may be contaminated with disease causing agents, which have been regurgitated, from the salivaryglands or the guts of the insects during the feeding process.
The need for a programme
The need to implement a fly control programme is growing. The increasing use of target specific pesticides, mean that fewer flying insect pests are being controlled by general spray programmes.
Pest control surveys show that flying insects pose a greater risk to food premises than cockroaches, rats & mice combined. Regular inspections of commercial premises by experienced pest control technicians will highlight possible breeding areas of flying insects, which can then be treated or eliminated. A thorough knowledge of the biology of the pest species is essential in achieving effective control.
Control Methods
In the food industry hygiene is of the upmost importance, basic regular cleaning and disinfecting to reduce the number of breeding sites and therefore the risk of build-up of disease-causing micro-organisms is fundamentally important.
Dirt, mouldy food and general uncleanliness act as powerful attractants for flies and wasps. Denying these insects access to food and water is essential to control them effectively.
Prevention of entry
Proofing any building against the entry of flying insects can be extremely effective. The use of door curtains, air curtains, and window screens is a practical method, which should be considered. These methods require expertise and constant vigilance to make sure that they are not being propped open to encourage the free flow of air, thus defeating the purpose of them being in place.
Non-chemical control
Since it is undesirable to spray insecticides in food handling areas, non-chemical means of control should be used.
Flying insects are attracted to fly control units, which use ultraviolet (UV) light as an attractant. It has been found that UV rays emitted around the 365-nanometer wavelength in the spectrum are the most effective.
There are two types of fly control units:
Electronic Fly Killers use an electrically charged high-voltage grid to kill the insects on contact. The dead insects fall into a catch tray suspended at the bottom of the machine.
Sticky Trap Units, the insects land on the glue area of the board where they are held until they die. Boards should be changed at regular intervals and can be kept for insect identification or as a record of "due dilligence".
Choice of units
Units should be of good quality - these are the most cost effective when a contract is sold.
Machines should be kept clean and service regularly. Tubes should be changed ideally every 6 months, but at least every 12 months.
When sticky traps are installed, glueboards should be changed regularly and can be kept of evidence of due dilligence.
Units should be quick and easy to service, without the need for tools.
The Right Units
AG Pest Management supply a comprehensive range of units suitable for almost every budget and every situation. This includes shatter-proof, draught-proof, splash-proof and explosion-proof options.