CLEANING & INFECTION CONTROL NO FLY ZONE


David Cross, Head of Technical Training at Rentokil Pest Control, offers his advice on keeping healthcare settings free of flies.


Flies are more than just an annoyance; they are a risk to human health as they can cause contamination when they land on food, work surfaces or equipment. These insects spread diseases such as Salmonella and E.coli as they move from one food source to another, while some species of fly can even bite.


As spring arrives, adult flies, that have spent the winter sheltering in the nooks and crannies of buildings, will emerge to find decaying food, animal or human waste to feed on and lay their eggs in.


The onset of fly activity presents a good opportunity for hygiene managers and health and safety executives to ensure they have the right measures in place to prevent an infestation from occurring. It is particularly important to protect food preparation and dining areas, as flies are one of the UK’s most common causes of food poisoning. However, make sure that you are diligent around the entire premises, as they will make a nuisance of themselves where humans are found.


Types of fly There are roughly 7,000 types of fly species in the UK. Below are common flies that can be found in premises across the country.


House Fly These are major carriers of microorganisms that can cause diseases, including Salmonella and E.Coli, and are a major problem for businesses, especially those that handle food. House flies feed by regurgitating acids onto food and then proceed to suck up the resultant mush.


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Bluebottle Fly Otherwise known as a Blow Fly, Bluebottle flies can often be seen hovering around dustbins. They are scavengers and are particularly attracted to faeces and dead animals, but are quite happy to feed off cheese and deli meats. They feed in a similar manner to houseflies and, as a result, can also leave microorganisms on the food that they feed off.


Defending your premises


against a fly infestation There are practical measures that you can implement around the premises to ensure that flies are deterred from entering the building.


Cleaning Regime Flies are typically attracted to unhygienic areas and places, so your first line of defence is to ensure your premises are clean. Health and safety executives should work closely with cleaning staff to design a schedule that covers a regular clean of walls, floors, ceilings and windows. In kitchen and eating areas it’s important that equipment is routinely wiped down inside and out, including fridges and freezers.


Food waste needs to be collected frequently, before bins start overflowing. In the spring, it’s important that kitchen doors are closed and that there are enough fly eradication measures in place to cope with the arrival of these pests.


Electronic flying insect killers Fly screens across windows are a must to prevent insects from entering the premise in the first place. However, fly control indoors is equally important for the determined few


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that manage to find their way in. It’s recommended that you opt for a fly control unit that encapsulates captured flies, rather than zapping them. Units that electrocute flying insects release micro-particles into the air, which can then fall onto surfaces and food.


Fly control units that transmit UV light are useful tools in the fight to keep your business fly-free. Rentokil has launched an energy-efficient fly control unit called Lumnia, which delivers an average of 61% in energy savings when compared to similar products, and the UV light is also transmitted 40% further than standard UV tubes.


Beyond eating and food preparation areas, health and safety executives shouldn’t fall into the trap of thinking that their premise could never host a fly infestation, as these pests can make anywhere their home. If you are dealing with a fly problem, or are simply looking to prevent one then it is important to know who to contact. If you are in any doubt as to what methods to use, then it is always best to check with the experts.


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