480 Journal of Agriculture. [11 July, 1910. 



HOUSEHOLD INSECT PESTS. 



C. Frenc/i, juu., Assistant Entomologist 



Common House Flies. 



The most common of the house flies is the Musca domestica, whicli 

 i»reeds in manure and any filth or garbage allowed to remain near dwell- 

 ings. According to Professor Howard, of the United States Department 

 of Agriculture, the periods of development are as follows: — The eggs 

 from deposition to hatching, one third of a day ; hatching of larva to 

 first moult, one day ; first to second moult, one day ; .second moult to 

 pupation, three days ; pupation to issuing of the adult, five days ; total 

 life round, approximately ten days. Thus, in Victoria, we probably have 

 a dozen or more generations every summer. The number of eggs laid by 

 an individual averages about 120. 



The house fly is a well known means of spreading such diseases as 

 typhoid, anthrax, tuberculosis, and dysentery. In his recent report on 

 '■ The Pollution of New York Harbour " Dr. D. D. Jackson pointed out 

 that typhoid and other such disea.ses were found to be most prevalent in 

 districts where the sewer outlets reach the harbour. In such localities flies 

 in large numbers were found to be carrying germs of diseases. They 

 were also more numerous in infected than in clean areas. 



Our civic authorities should take up the question of destroying the 

 Tireeding grounds of the house fly. now that its habits, and the danger to 

 man from its presence are .so well known. United action is necessary. 



Remedies. — All bins or other receptacles containing hou.se refuse should 

 be covered over. I have seen a heap of fresh manure bought for gardening 

 l)urposes simply alive with larvae of the hou.se fly. Thousands of flies are 

 bred in this way, eventually finding their way into houses. This shows 

 the necessity of covering the manure or treating it frequently with kerosene 

 or chloride of lime. Kerosene sprinkled over the floor in stables, &c.. is 

 said to be an excellent remedy. One of the best methods of keeping flies 

 out of the house is by the use of wire gauze windows and doors. Various 

 insecticides and fly papers are also very useful in suppressing flies, and 

 formalin is said by many to be verv effective. Mr. Froggatt recommends 

 the following formalin treatment : — 



Take a soup plate and cut a couple of sheets of thick blotting paper to fit 

 into the bottom, and sometimes half-an-inch of clean, damp sand under the 

 blotting paper will help to retain the moisture on a hot day. Saturate the paper 

 ■with water, and sprinkle it over, first with sugar, then with a quarter of a tea- 

 spoonful of formalin (diluted with a spoonful of water so that it will spread 

 all over the exposed surface). Place the plate in a well lighted spot on the floor 

 for preference, and the flies, attracted by the sugar, are quickly affected by the 

 formalin, and usually drop dead on the side of the plate. Formalin, however, 

 •evaporates after a time, so it may be necessary on a hot day to renew it at 

 intervals. 



Another mixture which has been used with success in America is car- 

 bolic and camphor, the recipe for which is as follows: — One pound of car- 

 bolic crystals is dis.solved in a bottle placed in hot water. While liquid it 

 is poured over one pound of camphor, which is first broken up into small 

 bits. The resultant mixture is a thick yellow liquid, which is secureh" 

 l.)Ottled up, and must not come in contact with the skin. An ounce of this 

 placed in a shallow dish over a spirit lamp will kill all the flies in the 

 Toom. Three ounces will fumigate a thousand ctibic feet. 



