OR DECAYING DEBRIS
| When electrical power is lost for extended periods, unprotected perishable foods will begin to spoil. Flooding inside homes can complicate this problem. House flies, fruit flies, and blow flies will be attracted to these decaying items. Perishable foods that are no longer useable should be placed in trash bags and discarded in a garbage can until trash is picked up, or else you should carry it to a landfill or other municipal disposal site. Make sure that garbage can lids fits tightly. Food that is carelessly discarded or placed in unsecured garbage cans or in bags simply stacked on the ground will attract displaced hungry wildlife, such as raccoons, skunks, stray dogs and small rodents. |  |
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Water-soaked lawns, compost piles, discarded carpeting, padded furniture, insulation and clothing may become moldy and serve as breeding grounds for fungus gnats and other flies. Water-soaked compost piles, grass clippings or bales of hay and straw may attract stable flies. Depending on the time of year, the adults may show up in about 7-10 days and become a nuisance. Particularly when electrical service is disrupted or when homes are flooded, people will leave their windows and doors open to improve air circulation. Unscreened windows and doors (or ones with damaged or poorly-fitting screens) provide flies with easy access to homes. Aerosol insecticides may control flies temporarily, but more flies will appear once the chemical has dissipated. Pesticides should not be applied around people who have respiratory problems. Use sticky "fly strips" to trap the flies. "Pest strips" impregnated with the chemical such as DDVP should not be used in occupied closed rooms.
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| Carcasses of animals killed in the storm or in subsequent flooding will attract blow flies in particular. Carcass removal is critical to minimizing fly problems; however, the severity of post-storm conditions may affect how and when disposal can be accomplished. Listen for instructions from county or state health officials regarding what methods are deemed appropriate for your area. For small animals (domestic or wild), incineration or disposal in an appropriate landfill are preferable. In some emergency situations, local officials may approve immediate burial 3 feet deep, but check with your local government before burying dead animals. Do not place animal carcasses in dumpsters unless you are directed to do so as this will only aggravate fly problems if the dumpsters cannot be emptied regularly.
Damaged septic systems will attract a variety of small flies, including "humpbacked flies", minute scavenger flies and moth flies. These flies will increase noticeably around damaged septic lines, damaged sewer pipes (both under houses or along roads) and other waste system components. Moth flies showing up outdoors or inside may be a sign that you need to check your septic system and crawl space for possible damage to septic lines or waste pipes. |
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