There are very many different types of flying insects in Australia, each characterized by specific features. Some of the more common ones are flies, mosquitoes, beetles, wasps & bees, grasshoppers, lacewings, moths & butterflies and termites. Of these, mosquitoes, wasps & bees and termites are covered elsewhere by specific blogs.
Insects belong to the phylum Arthropoda and class Insecta or Hexapoda (springtails). Based on the presence or absence of wings, the class Insecta is further classified into two subclasses, named Apterygota (wingless insects) and Pterogyta (winged insects).
Some flying insects are pests and some, like bees, are beneficial. They all have their place in the environment and in the food chain – but in a home or building, nearly all are a nuisance at best and may carry diseases, bite or sting.
Control of flying insects can be difficult because, in many cases the pest does not land on expected surfaces, so that residual insecticides will prove ineffective, so knowing what species is the problem, and understanding its lifecycle is critical.
Knockdown insecticides are probably the most effective sprays for flying insects, particularly space sprays such as mists or fogs. To enable knock-downs to have a long-term effect regular spraying is essential. For smaller areas a time mist such as PyMatic which is an aerosol formulation of Pyrethrin for use as a regular automatic spray through a suitable Metered Aerosol Dispenser. Pyrethrin is a contact insecticide that works as a nerve toxin. It is a natural extract from the Pyrethrum Daisy (Chrysanthemum cinerariifolium) which is grown and harvested in Tasmania. The spray will control a wide range of insects in many enclosed areas.
Attracting the insects to a bait or trap can be another effective method of controlling flying insects. Light traps utilise certain wavelengths of light to attract the pests, then a glueboard will collect the insect carcasses. Agserv has found that the Brandenburg Cobra is amongst the most efficient and discreet of these.
Foodstuffs and Pheromones are also effective attractants. Drop-Ins Commercial Fruit Fly Trap and IPS Liquibaitor Wasp Trap both utilise selected foods that are attractive to the target pest.
Flystar ready to use fly bait granules and bottle traps utilise the pheromone tricosene along with imidacloprid for the control of adult houseflies and lesser houseflies (including organophosphate resistant strains) in commercial, industrial and domestic areas.
IPS Unitrap and Delta kits with pheromone lures provide effective monitoring, particularly for Ephestia and Plodia meal moth species.
Killmaster Zero Pest Strips provide continuous protection from moths, flies and other insects for up to 4 months. Effective on all flying and crawling insects. For use in store rooms, storage spaces, industrial bins and other non-living areas.
