What to Expect During a Fly Control
Fly activity can occur in homes and commercial properties, particularly around food preparation areas, waste and bin areas, drains, outdoor entertaining areas and other locations where flies can find suitable food or breeding conditions.
Fly control begins with identifying where the activity is occurring and looking for conditions that may be attracting or supporting flies. Depending on the property and the type of fly problem, control may involve professional fly baits, trapping systems and other targeted treatment methods.
For commercial properties such as restaurants, cafés, food premises, offices, warehouses and retail environments, managing fly activity can also form an important part of maintaining good hygiene and reducing contamination risks.
This guide explains how to prepare for your fly control service, what your technician will assess, the treatment and control methods that may be used, what to expect afterwards and practical steps that can help reduce future fly activity.
01
Booking Information
Booking and Treatment Time
Fly control services generally take approximately one hour, although the time required can vary depending on the size of the property, the level of fly activity and the control methods required.
Your scheduled booking time is an arrival window. For example, if your arrival window is between 10:00 am and 12:00 noon, your technician may arrive at any time during that period. Please allow additional time after the arrival window for the service to be completed.
Before Your Appointment
When booking, let Surekill know where fly activity is occurring and whether the problem is mainly indoors, outdoors or both. For commercial premises, let us know about any particular areas of concern, such as kitchens, food preparation areas, waste areas or outdoor dining spaces.
Weather Conditions
Indoor fly control can generally be carried out regardless of rain. Some outdoor fly-control methods are affected by rain or windy conditions, particularly where baits or other products are being applied externally.
Surekill may contact you if weather conditions could affect the safe or effective completion of the outdoor treatment.
Licensed and Insured Technicians
Surekill Pest Control is fully insured, and our pest management technicians are appropriately licensed and follow relevant EPA requirements and product label directions when carrying out fly control.
Payment Options
Payment can be made by EFT/bank transfer, cash, EFTPOS or credit card. Payment is required before treatment commences.
02
How to Prepare for Fly Control
Store Food Away
Store exposed food in sealed containers or place it inside cupboards, the refrigerator or other protected storage areas. Clear food from benches and other areas that may require inspection or treatment.
Remove Food Waste
Remove food scraps and waste from the treatment areas. Empty internal bins and make sure external rubbish bins are closed securely.
Pet Food and Water
Remove or cover pet food and water bowls and store pet food appropriately before treatment.
Clean Problem Areas
Clean food preparation areas, spills and food residues before the appointment. Where fly activity is associated with waste or animal areas, clean these areas as thoroughly as practical before your technician arrives.
Windows and Doors
Your technician may ask for windows and doors to be closed during parts of the treatment. Follow the instructions provided for the particular fly-control methods being used.
Keep Areas Accessible
Ensure your technician has clear access to the areas where flies have been noticed, including kitchens, waste areas, drains, outdoor areas or other locations of concern.
03
Before Treatment
Discuss the Fly Activity
Your technician will discuss the fly problem with you, including where flies are being noticed, when activity is greatest and any areas that may be attracting or supporting the flies.
Inspect the Property
Your technician will inspect the relevant areas to identify fly activity, possible breeding or harbourage areas and conditions that may be contributing to the problem. This may include food and waste areas, bins, drains, outdoor areas and potential entry points.
Confirm Treatment Areas
The areas requiring treatment will be identified before work begins. The treatment method will depend on the fly activity, the property and whether control is required indoors, outdoors or both.
Pets
Keep pets away from areas where products are being applied or fly-control devices are being installed. Remove pet food and water bowls from treatment areas.
Fish Tanks, Ponds and Bird Cages
Tell your technician about fish tanks, ponds or bird cages at the property so appropriate precautions can be taken before any chemical application.
Chemical Sensitivities
Tell Surekill before treatment if anyone at the property has a known chemical sensitivity. People with chemical sensitivities should remain away from treated areas for 24 hours, or until the treatment has completely dried and the area has been adequately ventilated, whichever is longer.
Final Check
Before treatment begins, your technician will make sure the proposed treatment can be carried out safely and that the required areas are accessible.
04
Fly Control Treatment Process
Treatment According to the Fly Problem
Your technician will select the appropriate fly-control methods according to the activity identified during the inspection. Different areas of the property may require different methods.
Fly Baits
Professional fly baits may be applied to suitable areas where flies are active or regularly congregate. Depending on the situation, Surekill may use granular or aerosol-applied fly baits.
Granular Fly Baits
Granular fly bait may be strategically placed in suitable outdoor areas where fly activity is occurring. Placement will depend on the property and where flies are congregating.
Aerosol Fly Baits
Aerosol fly bait may be applied to appropriate surfaces where flies commonly land or gather. Your technician will determine suitable application areas according to the product being used and conditions at the property.
Fly Traps
Fly trapping systems may also be recommended or used as part of the control program. Different traps are available for indoor and outdoor environments, and your technician will recommend an appropriate option for the property.
Commercial Fly Control
For commercial premises, fly control may involve a combination of baiting, trapping, monitoring and practical recommendations to help manage ongoing fly pressure around food, waste and other high-risk areas.
Ongoing Treatment
During periods of high fly activity, some properties may require ongoing control rather than a single treatment. Your technician can advise whether further bait applications, trapping or monitoring would be appropriate.
05
After Your Fly Control Treatment
Follow Re-Entry Instructions
Where products have been applied, keep people and pets away from treated areas while treatment is being carried out and until the products have completely dried. Follow any additional re-entry instructions provided by your technician.
Allow Treatments to Remain in Place
Avoid cleaning or washing areas where fly baits have been applied unless instructed otherwise. Removing the bait can reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
Monitor Fly Activity
Continue to monitor the areas where flies were previously active. You may still notice some flies after treatment, particularly where flies continue to enter the property from surrounding areas.
Maintain Fly Traps
Where fly traps have been installed or recommended, they may require regular checking, cleaning, replacement of components or servicing depending on the type of system being used.
Address Contributing Conditions
Follow the practical recommendations provided by your technician, particularly where food, waste, drains, animal areas or other environmental conditions may be contributing to fly activity.
Further Treatment
Fly pressure can vary with weather, season and conditions around the property. Some properties, particularly commercial premises, may benefit from ongoing monitoring, baiting or trapping as part of a Risk Management Program.
06
How to Help Keep Flies Away
Keep Food Areas Clean
Clean food preparation and eating areas regularly and remove spills, crumbs and food residues. Store food in sealed containers or protected storage areas.
Manage Rubbish
Empty internal bins regularly and keep them clean. Keep external rubbish bins closed securely and clean up food or liquid residues around bin areas.
Remove Animal Waste
Regularly remove pet and animal waste from yards and other outdoor areas, as these areas can attract flies and provide suitable breeding conditions.
Maintain Drains and Moist Areas
Keep drains and other wet areas clean and address unnecessary moisture or organic material that may contribute to fly activity.
Use Fly Screens
Maintain fly screens on windows and doors and repair damaged screens. Keep doors closed where practical to help reduce flies entering the building.
Reduce Outdoor Attractants
Keep outdoor eating, barbecue and entertaining areas clean and remove food waste promptly. Regularly check areas where organic material can accumulate.
Ongoing Fly Risk Management
Properties that experience recurring fly pressure, particularly food and commercial premises, may benefit from regular monitoring, trapping and targeted control as part of a Risk Management Program.
