Revised 6/12/19

 

All homes and businesses occasionally run into problems with flying pests. House flies, fruit flies, drain flies, etc. visit sites contaminated with rotting organic material to feed and breed, picking up organisms that cause disease and carrying it to food and surfaces in homes and businesses. They are both a nuisance and a health risk. Flying insects regurgitate onto the food and other organic materials they’re eating to dissolve it. They can spread many different diseases when allowed to come into contact with food and people.

 

Proper identification of the species of flying insect is very important so that the breeding site(s) can be located and the problem fixed for good. Treatment programs should be directed at both the larval and adult flies to achieve effective and efficient control. Flying insect control treatment methods include, but are not limited to:

 

• Insect Light Traps

• Fly exclusion treatments

• Liquid applications

• Fly baits

• Removing decaying vegetation

 

House Flies, Blow Flies & Bottle Flies

 

Flies are not just a nuisance – they carry diseases such as tuberculosis, typhoid, dysentery, diarrhea and other foodborne illnesses which can pose a serious health hazard to people and animals. The mechanics of how these flies spread disease is very dirty. They frequent areas where they find rotting garbage and human or animal waste, then carry germs from those areas to the food we eat. Ensuring that your home or business is clean is the first and most important step in controlling these flying insects.

 

Gnats & Fruit Flies

 

A Gnat (commonly referred to as “Fruit Fly”) is a common name for a small, two-winged pesky little insect that resembles a Mosquito. Gnats are a type of fly that usually fly in swarms and can include biting and nonbiting forms. Killing adult fruit flies will reduce infestation, but elimination of fruit fly breeding areas is necessary for good management. Common areas that may need to be addressed include, but are not limited to food disposals, leaky faucets, and removing ripe fruit and vegetables.

 

Drain Flies

 

Drain flies can be very difficult to control. The eggs are laid in the gelatinous mass which lines drain pipes, and larvae hatch and feed on the plant and animal forms found in the mass. The most modern control is to remove the film through the use of foaming enzymes which will break down the film.

 

Exclusion and Sanitation

 

The first step in flying insect control is exclusion and sanitation – this is a must. After these measures, you can use insecticides that come in residual forms, aerosols, fogging materials, and baiting forms. Fly traps have long been a favorite. There are many forms of fly traps, from disposable fly traps to electronic fly light traps with replaceable light bulbs and glue boards.

 

Sanitation is the first measure of defense against flying insects. Even though there are various traps and sprays that are used to kill flies, it is necessary to eliminate the source in order to eliminate them. Whenever possible, food and materials on which the flies can lay their eggs must be removed or destroyed, which will isolate the egg-laying adult. Killing the adult insects will reduce infestation, but elimination of breeding areas is necessary for good flying insect control management.

 

 

6 STEPS OF SERVICE

 

Following the 6 Steps of Service:

• Meet the homeowner or tenant and listen to any concerns.

• Inform the customer of your general inspection and treatment plan.

• Let them know what you expect to be treating for and ask if they are currently experiencing any pest issues.

• Explain what they can expect from the treatment.

 

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SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS

 

Inspection:

Inspections should focus on problem areas to ensure that good sanitation practices are being used to eliminate flying insect breeding sites. Drains, cracks and crevices, and areas that collect organic matter should all be treated with microbial products that can eliminate these breeding sites.

 

• Inspect the entire inside, looking for flying insect harborage areas and access points.

• Inspect any areas that could provide conducive conditions to flying insect activity.

• Inspect all areas of the structure, including attics, crawlspaces, exterior foundations, basements, etc.

• Inspect to determine what may be attracting the flying insects. Check all trash cans, grease vats, dumpsters, soda dispensers, soiled linen, etc.

• Inspect for areas where vegetables or fruits are stored outside of refrigeration.

• Inspect for flying insect sources in garbage cans, under appliances, and recycling bins.

• Inspect for spills and where deep-cleaning is required.

• Inspect for Drain Fly specific breeding sources, including sewers, drains, septic tanks and contaminated soil from sewage.

• Inspect for Fruit Fly specific breeding sources, including around fruits and vegetables, both fresh and rotten.

• Inspect for Fruit Fly additional breeding sources, including around any moist organic matter and garbage.

• Inspect areas under equipment and inaccessible drains.

• Identify or verify the flying insect pest that has the customer concerned to determine the treatment method and the material to be used.

 

Approved Product List:

• Inside treatment: Suspend; Tempo; Temprid; Nygard

• Baiting treatment: MaxForce Fly Spot Bait

• Outside treatment: Talstar; Termidor; Drione; Alpine

• Other: ILT Glue Boards; Fruit Fly Traps; Disposable Fly Traps; Microbial Enzyme Cleaner

 

Interior Treatment:

• Start at the main door and move to the right (or left) with B&G. Treat entrance ways and critical points – base boards either side of the doors for 10 feet.

• Install ultraviolet Insect Light Traps (ILT) as required.

• Place fly bait on “out of the way” horizontal surfaces as required.

• Apply microbial foaming enzyme materials as required.

• Install Fruit Fly traps as required.

• Treat cracks & crevices with an aerosol spray as required, ensuring all food items in the treated area are removed or covered.

• Install disposable fly traps as required.

• Continue in the same direction in the home or business to the right until back to main door – do not treat the entire base board but visually inspect.

 

Outside Treatment: (if required)

• Place fly bait on “out of the way” horizontal surfaces as required.

• Treat with hand or back-pack sprayer all windows and door entrances.

• Treat entry ways where plumbing and electrical enter the structure.

 

Other Notes:

• Inform the customer:

• Garbage cans and dumpsters should have tight-fitting lids and be cleaned regularly.

• Drainage will often aid control, getting rid of extra moisture.

• Openings of buildings should be tightly screened with screen.

• Floor surfaces should remain clean and in good repair – missing grout, cracks, and gaps in wall/floor junctions all tend collect food debris and organic matter.

• Keep in mind that moisture is conducive to flying insect breeding.

• Regularly clean and flush areas under processing equipment, as well as other surfaces that can collect moisture and debris.

• Find and fix leaks – Drain Flies are drawn to leaks around drains, a sewer pipe or other chronic moisture leak.

• Remove wet dirt, which may support further breeding until dry. If you can’t remove it, treat it with boric acid dust, which will prevent flying insect larvae from being able to live in it.

• Store and seal fruit – Gnats are attracted by fruit, compost, and rotting food which makes kitchen sinks and garbage cans a popular meeting and breeding ground.

• Seal screens and doors – remember, Gnats and other small flying insects can access a structure through tiny cracks and small holes in window screens. Ensure all windows and doors seal tightly.

• Consider using bio-sanitation products and microbial cleaners with waste-eating microbes in areas with chronic moisture problems.

• While providing treatment, examine for wasps, termites and other pests living outside to recommend other A-1 services.

 

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6 STEPS OF SERVICE (continued)

 

Continuing to follow the 6 Steps of Service:

• Let the customer know what was found and what was done. If the customer is not available, leave a “Door Hanger” with written notes specifying what was found, what was done, and any recommendations deemed necessary.

• Inform the customer what to expect over the next few days, weeks, months, etc. Set clear expectations for upcoming visits.

• Ask the customer: “Do you have any other Pest Control needs I can take care of today?”

• If the customer does NOT already have a Home Shield service, ask them, “May I tell you about our routine service for continuous pest protection for your family?”

• Ask the customer, “If you feel that I provided you with good service today, I’d like to invite you to give us a positive online review – we’ll make it very easy for you.”

 

 

NO WARRANTY – when a stand-alone 1-Time service

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