CHAPTER X 



The Control of the House Fly and Related Flies * 

 W. Dxcight Pierce 



We have now come to one of the greatest problems in Sanitary 

 Entomology ; the control of the treacherous flics that visit our homes but 

 to bring sickness and death. The anti-fly measures may be classed as 

 repressive and palliative, and of course the first are the most impor- 

 tant. 



THE FLY MUST BE FOUGHT WHILE BREEDING AND BE- 

 FORE IT HAS A CHANCE TO SPREAD DISEASE. Many persons 

 object to the anti-fly-breeding measures because of cost, but no cost is too 

 great if thereby we prevent epidemics and the loss of thousands of 

 lives. 



Inasmuch as we are dealing with the fly as a municipal, industrial, 

 rural, home, and army problem, the subject will have to be handled 

 topically. 



REPRESSIVE MEASURES 



Striking the Source 

 Manure 



The house fly normally breeds in horse manure, but may also breed 

 in the manure of other domestic animals. It is apparent that this then 

 is the first and most difficult point to strike. 



The disposal of manure is a matter which must be controlled in all 

 municipalities and wherever there are large congregations of people. 

 For this reason it is an acute problem of army camps and cantonments. 

 In cities it is most acute in stockyards, sales stables, livery stables, and 

 contractor camps. It is a problem on every farm and with every 

 individual who owns a horse, or hog. 



Chemical Treatment . — Manure is a valuable product and every eff'ort 

 should be made to conserve and utilize it, first rendering it unfit for 

 flies. Realizing this, the United States Department of Agriculture had 



* This lecture was read August 5, 1918, and has been more or less modified to its 

 present form. 



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