Dublin named the most fly-infested county in ireland
Aura McMenamin
Dublin is the most fly-infested county in Ireland, according to figures released by Irish pest control provider, Rentokil
Dublin landed at the top of the list for fly callouts above counties such as tourist spots like Galway, Kerry and Cork.
Like most insects, flies reproduce rapidly during the summer months. The fly has an average lifespan of thirty days and, in the heat of the summer, can go through its life cycle in as little as ten days.
The common house fly spreads food poisoning, diarrhoeal diseases and skin and eye infections.
Flies transmit diseases by contaminating food products and cooking utensils in a number of ways: direct contact, urination, regurgitation, defecation.
You can catch diseases by using contaminated cutlery, consuming infected food and drink and by coming into contact with a fly through your eye, sores or scratches.
With temperatures reaching up to 27 degrees this week, the pest control company warned hotel and restaurant owners to be vigilant and not to overlook ‘small’ infestations.
Dr Colm Moore is the Area Technical Manager for Rentokil in Ireland. He explained the health risks that flies can pose, saying: “Flies can be a common cause of food poisoning, particularly salmonella, and as such they create a real risk to the hospitality industry.
“Fly larvae take 7 to 10 days to mature into adults, and in their lifetime they may produce 1,000 eggs. If a small infestation is not stopped, you will see a dramatic increase in their numbers.”
According to Rentokil, you can prevent fly contamination by storing food in airtight containers, installing fly screens, ensuring drainage and pipes are cleaned regularly, washing utensils thoroughly or contacting a professional.
