Few things are as nauseating as the sight of a dirty big fly, landing gear extended, preparing to park itself atop your homemade meal. With infestations lasting weeks or months, they're more than just flying visits and this year has been badly affected.
According to pest control company Rentokil there are 120,000 species of fly worldwide, with the most common types of fly in Ireland being blow flies, cluster flies, house flies and mosquitoes.
Aside from being incredibly irritating, the company warned that these unwelcome house guests also pose a serious threat to human health, spreading Salmonella and E. coli as they move from place to place.
This is bad for the hospitality business as the company report that flies are the leading cause of illness among employees.
According to Rentokil, there are several warning signs that the pesky pests could be preparing to invade your home including clusters of dark spots and sightings of maggots - the larvae of the fly.
Rentokil have a few cost-effective tips for combating the critters before splashing out on pricier pest control.
- Be sure to close all windows at night - if this is not possible, be sure to cover light sources which attract flies in darkness.
- Be sure to cover all food, as this is how flies spread disease.
- Invest in fly screens and attach them to windows and bins, ensuring flies can't access the warmth, nutrients and water required for them to multiply.
- Clear all spills in the kitchen immediately, and be sure to keep areas under household appliances clear.
- Try to remove animal waste at once, as it is a must-see for flies (which will then later land on your food and furnishings).
- Dead flies make for tasty snacks for other insects, so to prevent a bug metropolis flourishing in your kitchen, be sure to clear out the fallen flies.
- Apparently, nothing puts mosquitoes in the mood for breeding like stagnant water - be sure to empty cups, bowls and watering cans.
- Finally, while some people have invested in guard dogs to protect their homes from human invaders, it seems that in the case of their winged counterparts the humble goldfish offers the perfect protection for your garden pond, as they feast on fly eggs.
