ARS Scientists Demonstrate Promising Method to Control House Flies

ARS researchers are paving the way for the development of new methods to control house flies. House flies are not only household pests; they can also cause major issues with cattle and other livestock. Notoriously difficult to control, house flies tend to live in close relationship to humans and livestock and are continually developing resistance to chemical control tools. As such, novel methods to control them are sorely needed. 

ARS scientists in Gainesville, FL, have explored an alternative tool to control house flies -- a spatial repellent that deters house fly adults from entering protected areas. ARS scientists demonstrated that traps treated with transfluthrin, a spatial repellent molecule, collected significantly fewer flies than control traps. The result of this research is promising, demonstrating that transfluthrin, a potent spatial repellent, can be an effective control tool even in large outdoor settings. This research suggests that treating areas with select spatial repellents might be a promising method to prevent house flies from entering key spaces in farms and households.

For more information: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/4/277