Filth Fly Management in Urban Environments - Urban Insect Pests: Sustainable Management Strategies - page 54

through the use of a cone- or funnel-shaped
entrance, with the large opening on the
exterior of the trap and the small opening in
the interior of the trap. Various plastic
bottles including milk jugs, soft drink
bottles and others have been used as fl y
traps. Colour of traps is an important factor
to consider (Diclaro et al ., 2012), blue and
white being attractive to many fl ies. The
addition of pheromones greatly increases
catches in live traps. Live traps are only
used when live specimens are needed for
either identifi cation or for experiments on
insecticide resistance or susceptibility,
which are not usually the case in fl y
management programmes.

1985). Although not completely correlated
to the fl y density, the comparison of spot
counts obtained from the same location can
show a relative change in the fl y population.

Record keeping

A good fl y monitoring system requires an
effi cient and easily accessible record-
keeping system. Fly population records
obtained at different times allow detection
of small increases in the fl y population
before densities become high enough to
create serious problems. Also, records will
clearly show whether control measures are
working or if there is a need for changes in
procedures if the fl y populations do not
decrease suffi ciently after applications,
which can be an indication that the fl y
population is becoming more resistant to
the pesticides used in a location.

Sweep nets

Insect nets mounted on poles can also be
used to collect live insects when needed as
described above. Because the number of
fl ies collected in the sweep net can vary
greatly depending on the operator, the
sweeping technique, time of the day, and
specifi c location where the net is used,
these are not reliable for monitoring
densities of fl ies in a location.

Integrated Management of Flies in
Urban Environments

To prevent fl y infestations and outbreaks,
the best approach is a continuous integrated
approach to fl y control, with emphasis on
sanitation, exclusion and early inter-
ventions. Through a preventive approach,
one can avoid economic damage. A good fl y
prevention/control programme utilizes
techniques to deal with all types of fl ies that
may occur in the locations of concern.
Although there are common techniques that
can be put in place to control several types
of fl ies, some measures are best suited for
certain species or groups of pest fl ies with
specifi c common biological characteristics.

Visual counts

Visual counts are similar to those obtained
using a grill or grid but in this case no
external apparatus is used. Counts can be
made easier and more reliable for com-
parisons of fl y populations if a standard
surface area is used. Counts before and after
control measures can be compared as an
indication of effectiveness of the control
actions.

Sanitation

Fly spot counts

Despite advancements in chemical control,
sanitation is still the best method of control
for fl ies in general. Because fl ies usually
breed in rubbish, animal droppings or vege-
tation residues, locating and removing
potential breeding sites is the best way to
avoid fl y problems. Removal and disposal

A simple way to estimate fl y activity is to
place white index cards on walls where fl ies
are observed, and, after a specifi c period of
time (usually one to a few days), the number
of fl y specks (faecal spots) on the cards are
counted (Axtell, 1970; Lysyk and Axtell,