The Fly Pest

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 October 1916, Page 2

The Fly Pest

A.ND I'ISS DANGERS. The co-operation of local authorities is earnestly desired ill an effort to combat the fly post in this district. Flies are amongst the most dangerous ins cth known to man. They are capable of carrying germs-of various diseases on their legs and in their intestines and of disseminating such .lerim over articles of food and drink. Tlirii habits are filthy, they breed and live in filth, and carry filth about with tluin on their legs and bodies and depositing it 011 food. They havo a disgusting habit of regurgitating or vomiting food and by this means also noxious matter may be disseminated. Volumes could be written about their filthy habits, but (enough has been said to indicate the desirability of a conceited ' effcrt to minimise tliifi evil. Flies are at present extremely scarce, but with the advent of warmer weather they will increase with the greatest itapidity. They are extremely prolific. An adult female lays as many as from 120 to 150 eggs at one sitting. These, under favourable circumstances hatch out into maggots in from one to four days. These maggots become fully grown in about one I week when their skill becomes hardened. changes from white to brown, and the maggot becomes a motionless pupa. Inside the hard pupa case a metamorphosis takes place and the crawling grub becomes in a few days a fully formed fly, which emerges from the case, becomes sexually mature in a week of ton days, and capable of depositing eggs about four days after maturing. Under favourable conditions as to moisture and temperature eggs may become mature flies in ten days and the second generation may lay their eggs ten days later. Imagine the appalling fecundity of such an insert. One writor has estimated that one fly can readily produce approximately 6,000.000,000,000 descendants iiv a single season, providing that all the progeny survive, which is fortunately unlikely. However, it shows the necessity of acting promptly before flies become numerous. Breeding Places. The fly will breed in almost any fermenting organic matter or rubbish provided it is fairly moist. Horse dropping and stable sweepings are its favourable site. It is also partial to human excreta, using this not only for hatching the egg, but also as a source of food supply- House refuse, garbage, rotting rags and paper, decaying vegetables and fruit, and other organic matter also serve its purpose. As far as food is concerned the fly is most catholic in its tastes, the milkjug or savoury pie having a close rival in the privy pan and spitoon. Preventive Measures. Our efforts must first, be directed towards an elimination of breeding places. We must then endeavour to cut off the food supply and kiU off as many individual flies ae possible. I have already indicated the principal

•reeding places of this insect, ant

horse manure and stable refuse

the favourite sites for breeding atl

tion should be carefully directed to such. By-laws should be made, or il' already made, enforced, requiring stables to be constructed with impermeable floors, properly drained and easily cleanable. All horse droppings should be frequently swept up and deposited in a manure bin protected from flies by a suitable lid. Such manure should be removed at least once a

week, and if possible twice in the summer. Storage of manure in railway depots or other parts of the borough should be prohibited. Yards and paddocks must also be kept free from manure. Streets must be kept clean in a similar manner. In addition to the above it is advisable that collections of manure should be treated with some preparation to kill such flies and maggots as may be present. The following solution sprayed or sprinkled on "the surface of manure is invaluable: Bozs. arson ito of soda, i pint treacle. 20 gallons water. Chloride of lime spread over the surface is also useful, «s is kerosene or crudc petroleum. The above measures if thoroughly taken in hand bv the local authority will in themselves minimise the pest and also ensure that the horses and live stock in the stables are able to rest instead of being constantly worried by these insect*. An effort must be made to do away with privies where a water carriage system is available, and in other cases require to be rendered fly proof. The addition of kerosene to the pan is very effective in keeping flies away from these structures. Household refuse and all garbage of whatever nature must be kept in impermeable receptacles with a closely fitting lid kept closed, and such refuse be removed by the local authority at least weekly. Frequent inspections of yards and promises should b'e made, and if refuse is found .uncover-' ed legal action should at once be taken. There should, bs no -half measures and no repeated warnings. Where possible refuse should be incinerated by the local authority, but where this is not possible householders should be urged to destroy all organic matter in the kitchen range, putting only ashes in the refuse bin. Refuse depots must be closely supervised and no food must be exposed to which flies are attracted. The general public should be advised to keep all food screened and endeavour to kill as many of them as possible by constant use of fly-traps, fly-papers and insect powders, etc. A useful poison is to add an ounce of formalin to a pint of milk and water aind expose same in dishes about the rooms; It is essential for the success of this poison that no other liquid be left uncovered for flies to rcsoi't to. School teachers should be lapproaichedi to endeavour to interest the children in the matter, and boy scouts ,if interacted, will often render valuable aid in locating and destroying breeding places. The public press should be approached so that they may help by urging all householders to keep a watchful eye on all rubbish and garbage, to prevent its accumulation and to prevent the access of flies thereto, to keep all premises, yards and outbuildings clean, and to trap, poison and kill flies within and without the house. SYDNEY fvMTTH. District 'Health Officer.