Flies Indicate a Plumbing Problem

There are several flies within a structure that may indicate that you are experiencing a plumbing problem or a moisture problem.

 

Today we finally got to a solution of a Phorid fly problem. Phorid flies are also known as Coffin flies, Scuttle flies, Hump back flies, Drain flies. The correct term in my opinion is a Phorid or Scuttle fly so that there is no confusion on the insect one is talking about.

This is an image I took with a digital microscope

These are small flies that run more than they fly. They breed in areas that other insect do not breed in. The breeding medium is typically in an anaerobic mess of organic matter that is high in moisture. This breeding medium in my experience is disgustingly odourous.

 

A problem of Phorid flies is indicated typically with large numbers of these flies. The Phorid fly will  travel to light, you will usually find them on window sills or in a Fly Light Trap.

Fly light Traps are they only method of managing the problem without fixing the problem that caused them to be present . Fly Light Traps only catch the adults.

When a facility encounters Phorid flies one would experience a high number of them daily and they would be visibly annoying. If fly light traps are present in the Fly management program in your facility there would be allot caught. Insect monitors that are present in the pest management program you have would also catch some adults.

 

In order to to resolve the problem the breeding medium needs to be found.  Having a sewer camera service is essential in locating broken sanitary lines under the floor. Once a break in the sanitary line has been located  cutting open the floor and excavating is required. Upon excavating you might realize that you require a sucker truck service in order to remove the contaminated substrate. In all cases of Phorid fly and Moth fly issues we have found a substantial amount of grey water under the slab, it needs to be removed.

 

The following images give you a pretty good idea what needs to be done.

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Wharf Borer

Wharf borer are in flight now emerging from their homes where they spent their time as larvae.

I encounter this False Blister Beetle typically in buildings. They emerge from under the concrete where there is buried construction material(wood) that is moist. They typically go towards the light thinking they might be able to go outside.

I always find them feeding on Chinese Lantern Plant later during the season. They also like to feed on Mint pollen

Invasive Pest Species

Was just reading up on invasive pest species in North America and thought this is informative link on European Fire Ants. There is another link also under ants.

Myrmica rubra.

New insect species are always coming in through travel of human belongings, plant material, natural ability to migrate to  new geographical location.

Climate change is allowing other non native creatures(which may include insects, plants and animals, viruses, bacteria, fungii) to be introduced into a climactic region  that they would not normally be naturally occurring and now thrive.