Getting Rid of Soldier Flies in Your Home
If you have an active soldier fly infestation, follow these guidelines to learn how to get rid of soldier flies, and the best products for treatment.
Identification and Description
Soldier flies are large (5/8-inch long). The coloration varies among species. The Soldier fly thorax is usually black above, yellow to yellowish-green on the sides. Many times the soldier fly is confused with a wasp. Wasps have four wings, and the soldier fly has two wings. Although they have a loud sound when they buzz around, they are not dangerous.
The adult black soldier flies have black wings, held over the back when at rest.
Others vary in color from metallic blue to green and purple or black and yellow patterns. They have characteristic "elbowed" antennae due to a long terminal segment.
In many situations involving this fly, only the larvae or pupae are found.
The key to soldier fly identification is the presence of its distinctive larvae.
Larvae are dark brown, torpedo-shaped, and flattened. The larva grows to over one inch in length. The larvae and pupae of the soldier fly are distinctive in appearance. They are key in identifying this type of fly.
These larvae (maggot) are usually seen under or around dumpsters, garbage cans, or compost piles.
Solider Fly Control
Sanitation & Chemical Control
Sanitation is the first level of defense.
Even though various traps and sprays are used to kill flies, it is necessary to remove the source to eliminate them.
Whenever possible, food and materials on which the flies can lay their eggs must be removed, destroyed, as a breeding medium, or isolated from the egg-laying adult. Killing adult flies will reduce infestation, but the elimination of breeding areas is necessary for proper management.
A pyrethrum space spray such as Stryker 54 or CB 80 Pyrethrin aerosols can be used as a quick kill, reducing populations of flying insects.
Invade Bio Foam or Invade Hot Spot as a sanitation product that will help sanitation and breeding sources.Spray any areas where the Soldier flies would land upon and rest. Also, spray possible entry points, such as around windows and doors. We recommend either Cyper WSP or LambdaStar Ultra 9.7 insecticides.
Cyper WSP is a wettable powder, mixed with water to spray the exterior surfaces where flies would land, sprayed once a month. Wettable powders like Cyper WSP will be visible on dark surfaces.
Use LambdaStar Ultra Cap 9.7 if you are concerned about the visibility on dark surfaces.
Related Products
Prevent Soldier Flies
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Whenever possible, food and materials on which the flies can lay their eggs must be removed, destroyed, as a breeding medium, or isolated from the egg-laying adult.
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Killing adult flies will reduce infestation, but the elimination of breeding areas is necessary for proper management.
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Decaying vegetation may provide a breeding site for Soldier Flies. Maintain compost piles and decomposing garbage
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If possible, remove dead rodents and bee nests. These locations can be a source of these flies.