A Field Study on the Control of House Flies With Chemosterilant Techniques

Abstract

House fly baits containing 0.5% of metepa (methaphoxide; tris(2-methyl-l-azirdinyl)phosphine oxide) were applied to the droppings in a poultry house in the suburbs of Orlando, Fla., to evaluate the chemosterilant technique for the control house flies (Musca domestica L.). Applications were made at weekly intervals for 9 weeks, then semiweekly. Granular baits with cornmeal as a carrier were the most effective, granulated sugar was less effective, and vermiculite granules were unsatisfactory. House fly abundance decreased sharply in the treated area; but the most striking evidence of the activity of the chemosterilant was seen in the viability of eggs from females collected in the area, inasmuch as the hatching rate was below 10% during most of the time that an effective bait was being used. The treated area was subject to reinfestation from surrounding breeding sites.