7 March 2021
By Mary Bermingham
mary@TheCork.ie
Cork accounts for fourth highest level of fly callouts from Rentokil
25th February 2021: Rentokil, Ireland’s leading pest control provider, is warning the public of the increased threat of flies, following a 19% increase in callouts for the insects over the last three months, when compared to the same period a year ago. While flies are traditionally a warm-weather pest, cluster flies in particular can become an issue for home or business owners as these pests move inside during the cold-weather months to seek shelter. The company also expects fly callouts to increase over the coming months as weather conditions become warmer.
The main threat which these insects pose is when they spread bacteria such as E. coli, salmonella, and campylobacter, which can lead to a range of illnesses in humans, one of the most common being diarrhoea. The insects can spread these bacteria to humans when they come into contact with our food.
The top five counties which have accounted for fly infestations during the period of November 2020 – January 2021 are: Dublin (which accounted for 29% of callouts), Kerry (25%), Galway (10%), Cork (6%) and Cavan (3%).
Richard Faulkner, Advanced Technical Field Consultant for Rentokil said “Flies can pose the threat of contaminating food or spreading so it is important to ensure that all food in your premises is covered and stored correctly and not left out in the open. Additionally, these insects can pose an annoyance when found in swarms as their collective excrement can cause a stench and stain fabrics and walls. Additionally, their presence can pose the threat of violating food or hygiene regulations for businesses. In terms of guarding against these pests, the most effective methods to employ are fitting fly screens to doors and windows, and utilising an LED fly killer unit, such as the Lumnia LED fly killer”
Rentokil recommends to home or business owners who suspect that they have a fly infestation to identify the source of the infestation as a first step. The company recommends checking around areas including doors, windows, electrical outlets, eaves, pipes, cable openings, and vents to help to determine if your property has a fly problem.
People can find out more about fly infestations by visiting the Rentokil website.
Rentokil recommends utilising some of the following steps to help to prevent the presence of flies on your premises:
Control moisture – fix leaky taps and blocked drains where water can gather. Flies need moisture to multiply.
Keep food covered – any type of food, even crumbs, can attract flies and encourage them to lay eggs nearby. Leftovers should be carefully covered up. Their contact with your food is also main cause of food contamination.
Stay hygienic – keep your bins, sinks and food areas clean.
Cover entry points – fit fly screens to windows and doors, and keep windows and doors shut at night
Install a Fly Killer Unit – Consider installing an LED fly killer unit, such as the Lumnia LED fly killer, which are designed to attract, kill and encapsulate the insects hygienically.
Bird feeders – keep bird feeders clean and remove bird food before dusk.
Remove clutter – eliminate clutter inside the house and in the garden. Messy sites could be a potential breeding site.
