Introduction
Pest control can be defined as the regulation and management of pest that are harmful to our health, ecology, and the economy. Household pest are species that invade human habitation causing damage to humans, food, structures, acting as disease vectors or causing other possible threats. This overview will explain how to choose an effective method in managing one of the most common household pest, the common household fly "
Description
Musca Domestica", also known as the common household fly can easily by identified by having four dark vertical stripes on its thorax. Flies vary in length from an eighth of an inch, to one fourth an inch (Pennsylvania State University, 2015). Flies have fleshy sponging mouthparts that sop up liquids, much in the same way sponges do.
Resources
The fly can be attracted to human habitation for many reasons. Flies are attracted to where they can find food and habitation. Flies feed on human food, garbage, fecal matter or any form of decaying liquefying material. Due to their diets, flies carry pathogens that cause disease and cross contaminate each surface they feed from.
Chemical methods to control the pest:
While there are a number of methods that can be utilized in managing pest, too often many people choose chemical control. Chemical control can be an extremely effective option, although most include extremely toxic chemicals. These chemicals can harm the environment and non-targeted organisms.
Chemical methods to control flies are through the use of pesticides. Some of the more common pesticides used in managing flies are:
Commonly used pesticides
• Liquid Compound -
Company- Bayer
Name Brand - Ravap E.C.
Active Ingredients - Tetrachlorvinphos 23% and Dichlovos 5.3%
Safety Precautions - Harmful if swallowed of absorbed through the skin. Avoid getting into eyes or directly onto skin. Always wear protective clothing, gloves, eye wear and when mixing wear chemical resistant apron. Wash hands thoroughly with soap before any other activities including eating, drinking or bathroom activities Texas A&M AgriLife Research, 2015).
• Spray Insectcide-
Company - Y.Tex Corporation
Name Brand - Guardstar
Active Ingredients - Permethrin 40.00%
(3-Phenoxyphenyl)methyl(±)cis/trans
3-(2,2-dichloroethenyl)-2,2-
Dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate
Safety Precautions - Harmful if swallowed of absorbed through the skin. Avoid getting into eyes or directly onto skin. Always wear protective clothing, gloves and eye wear. Wash hands thoroughly with soap before any other activities including eating, drinking or bathroom activities Texas A&M AgriLife Research, 2015).
Chemical-free methods to control the pest
There are several ways to help control household flies without the use of pesticides. Sanitation is first and foremost in managing the fly population. Eliminating the fly's food sources and breeding areas is crucial in eliminating the fly itself.
Another form of pest control is mechanical control. There are many different types of mechanical control; some combine the use of genetic control, such as Fly Glue Traps. Fly glue traps are long sticky strips coated with fly pheromones to attract and trap flies. Another one of the more popular items in pest control of flies is the fly light trap, also known as fly zappers ( Do It Yourself Pest Control, 2015). The flies attracted to the light, land on the mechanism and are effectively electrocuted. Another form of outdoor fly traps are traps designed to lure the fly into a device for which they cannot escape. The device consists of a device with small inward openings and a liquid attractant made up a non-toxic liquid of rotting food juices ( Do It Yourself Pest Control, 2015). The flies are attracted to the liquid and enter into the chamber, once inside it is impossible for them to get out. These traps are advised primarily for outdoor use, while not toxic, the smell can be particularly pungent.
Advantages and disadvantages of pesticides
Pesticides can have both advantages and disadvantages. Precaution and understanding should be utilized in deciding the best possible solution not only for pest control, but also for the environment as a whole. Often there are many other effective means to pest control outside of using pesticide.
Advantages
Pesticides can be extremely effective in eradicating specific pest. Pesticides offer a quick an efficient way to both lower the pest numbers and prevent future infestations.
Disadvantages
Some of the disadvantages in using pesticide are that they are an array of risk to the environment as a whole. Water, air and food sources can become contaminated. The person or persons using the pesticide can become poisoned or harmed. Any living species including non-targeted species that comes into contact with pesticides can become harmed. Many of the ill effects of pesticide use can last for long periods of time.
Methods use to prevent future infections
The primary method for preventing future infestations is securing the location of food and breeding areas. Ensuring all opening to building are secure, all standing water and moisture areas dried and drained and proper waste management.
Conclusion
Pest have been around since the beginning of time and will likely be here until the end. Learning effective ways to control pest populations is important. Most pest can be effectively managed without the use of pesticides. While pesticides can be effective, most include extremely toxic chemicals that can cause harm to the environment and all living things within in it. Choosing the least environmentally damaging choice is the most important decision one can make.