Small Fly Biology and Control A guide to iden+fica+on and treatment protocols for fruit and phorid flies
Fruit Flies Adult Drosophila melanogaster are 1/8 long with large red eyes, tan head and thorax and blackish abdomen, wings are folded over the abdomen. 2
Fruit Flies Two species which have emerged recently as problem species particularly in food areas is Drosophila repleta, and D. hydei These species are called the dark-eyed or black fruit fly. Both are somewhat larger, with darker eyes and body. 3
Eggs are deposited at the surface of fermenting material, and hatch in 1-2 days. 4
Fruit Fly Biology Larva are small legless maggots, pointed at the head, pale in color. Larval period lasts 5-6 days; there are 3 larval instars. Prior to pupation, larva move to dry areas. Newly emerged adults are attracted to light for only a short time and become sexually active in two days. Female lays about 500 eggs. Life cycle, egg to adult, is short 8-10 days. 5
Fruit Flies Fruit flies breed on ripened or decaying fruits and vegetables Fermenting liquids such as wine, juice, beer Yeast is the key component for larval development Dark eyed fruit flies prefer a more advanced stage of decay 6
Phorid Fly 7
Phorid Biology Eggs laid on or near moist organic matter. Larva emerge in 24 hours and feed 8-16 days before moving to dry area to pupate. Life cycle: egg to adult, varies from 14-37 days. Adults are highly attracted to light throughout life. Adults will run along the surface when disturbed rather than immediately flying off. 8
Phorid Flies Phorid flies have the greatest variety of potential breeding sites of any fly. Any moist organic material will support them. Pressure washing drives bits of food into cracks and crevices which make prime breeding sites. Sub-slab drain leaks or leaks in walls can cause huge problems and are often the cause of chronic infestations. Garbage residues, rotting food, mops, over-watered plants and fresh cut flowers can also cause problems. 9
Small Fly Control Options on Challenging Accounts To provide alternate solutions on challenging accounts: Will not stop using disinfectants when implementing bio sanitation program Boric Acid will provide relief of existing infestations. BorActin Dust is ideal for mystery voids and static crack/crevice/void areas that don t see a lot of moisture but that could be trouble spots Turns the scum into toxic bait for small flies and cockroaches. 10
BorActin kills: eggs, larvae and adults! Cumulative Adult Mortality of Red Eyed Fruit Flies 100.0% 90.0% 80.0% 70.0% 60.0% 50.0% 40.0% 100% Mortality in less than 12 hours after dust application BorActin Dust BorActin 4oz/gal Control 30.0% 20.0% 10.0% 0.0% 12 hrs Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 11
Biological Products are the Cornerstone of a Sanitation Program Biological products consist of microbes that eat through organic residue. Different formulations are used for drain treatment, mopping, foaming, surface cleaning and odor elimination 12
How Do They Work? Bio Products contain concentrates of natural soil bacteria that are tailored for waste digestion. The products consist of a blend of spore-formed Bacillus (the best for chemical-resistance and regeneration). They consume grease (FOG), proteins, carbohydrates, cellulose and urea. They are also effective for odor control. These products are not pesticides. They CLEAN the same way nature cleans and are the ultimate green products. 13
Foam Application The foam is applied to the cracks, crevices and other scummy areas. Foam application ensures a continuous contact time. The microbes contact their specific food source and digest the scum over time. 14
Foam Cleanout When you do a foam cleanout, you basically foam all scummy areas. Foam can be applied to any area including food contact surfaces. The foam should be left (not washed down). It will dissipate in about 3 hours. Foaming should be done on a monthly basis to high debris areas. 15
Where to Foam Think of places where you used to look for roaches before you had bait Foam all the areas you told them to clean and they didnt Any crack or crevice where food and water can collect and is undisturbed 16
Anti-Fatigue Mats Scum builds up in holes 17
In general, dirty, scummy areas should be foamed 18
Foam clings to covers and coats inside of drain well. 19
Don t focus on drains only Don t get stuck on just foaming drains! Particularly for fruit flies, drains are the problem only 20-25% of the time. The rest of the time, it is other scummy areas such as under the ice machine, behind the bar, around the beverage lines, at the floor/wall junction and other cracks and crevices where scum builds up. 20
Trapping Traps knockdown adults, captures invaders before they establish and breed, serve as monitors and provide visual evidence of results. Traps consist of some sort of capture mechanism ( one way traps or glue) and an attractant. 21
Use of Glueboards Position glue upside down for best results, as flies tend to drift up and get caught, whereas they are less likely to land down on a glueboard which is facing up Glueboards attached flat to the underside of a bar or counter, with InVite Fruit Fly Lure Gel work well Folding glueboards which yields a glue surface facing down also work well Ongoing monitoring is a necessity in food processing areas. 22
Light Trap Installation 3-5 off floor for optimum effect 25-50 intervals in large open facilities In small facilities, place near fly entryways and breeding sites Never place over exposed food Avoid placement that directs light outdoors or into passage ways. Competing light sources diminish efficacy Change your bulbs as needed. They will become less effective. 23
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