Syngenta Professional Pest Management
By Dr. Nicky Gallagher, Technical Services Manager
Sanitation is the best way to reduce filthy fly numbers, but getting customer cooperation to help reduce breeding sites can be a challenge. Full Dumpsters can provide all the necessary resources for some flies to develop. However, when fly larvae finish feeding, they leave their breeding sites to pupate and seek dry, dark areas, with some species crawling as far as 50 ft. away from breeding sites.
Treat cracks and crevices around Dumpsters or other known fly activity areas with the combination of a residual insecticide and an insect growth regulator (IGR) to enhance control.
MGK
By Sandra Sleezer, Entomologist & Technical Service Coordinator
It might not be necessary to treat an entire outdoor area for ticks, which often can be found in shaded and high-moisture areas.
You can drag for ticks with a large white cloth to find the hot spots in the yard, and then use the areas where ticks are found to help target treatment areas. Drag the cloth along the ground and as high as 3 ft. on plants, stopping frequently to check for ticks.
If you encounter a large number, quickly remove them with a lint roller and continue sampling.
Terminix
By Jennifer Fox, Regional Technical Specialist, Terminix International, and Scott Brown, BCE, Regional Technical Specialist of Schendel Pest Services, a Terminix company
When managing fleas, the best offense is a good defense. Applying an aerosol containing a residual insecticide with an insect growth regulator (IGR) is a common flea treatment. To ensure a winning outcome, get the customer involved by making sure they properly prepared the home beforehand. Preparation strategies should include:
- Vacuum all floors and carpets, and underneath upholstered furniture — including the cushions. This stimulates flea emergence, allowing them to come in contact with your treatment.
- Make sure the vacuum canister or bag is immediately emptied or disposed of outside in the trash to prevent
re-infestation. - Request a veterinarian treat dogs and cats for fleas the same day as the service.
As for another common pest, cluster flies (Pollenia spp.) often overwinter inside wall voids and the attics of structures. They’ll collect on the sunny side of structures, searching for cracks to enter. They are slightly larger than house flies, with golden hairs on their thorax.
Cluster fly control is best achieved by excluding them from the structure. However, if they enter, trap them. Small light-emitting diode (LED) camp lights can be placed within the voids near glue traps as an attractant.
Nisus Corp.
By Dr. Reid Ipser, Director of Technical Services
For fleas, concentrate on areas where pets most often rest. Spot treat those areas with a residual insecticide.
Flies are associated with sanitation. Clean surrounding conducive conditions. Flies can also originate from agricultural farms and seek conducive breeding conditions inside structures.
Ticks usually enter premises via pets or by hitchhiking on clothing. Treat periphery with a liquid, as one would for any occasional invader.
FMC Professional Solutions
By Dr. Dina Richman, Product Development Manager
For indoor flea and tick control, concentrate on areas where pets are most active and use a product that can be applied as a broadcast, spot and/or crack-and-crevice treatment.
Outside, fleas and ticks are found mainly alongside paths, trails, roads, and in areas where lawns interface with natural environments. Use a granular or liquid spray at labeled rates to control fleas and ticks and create a barrier against re-entry into yards or homes. Liquid insecticides can be applied to the home’s perimeter and to cracks and crevices, whereas a granular insecticide can be applied as a broadcast treatment to yards if the infestation is heavy.
Always follow the label and make sure your chosen products have an extended residual action.