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Flybrella: a device to attract and kill house flies
1USDA-ARS, CMAVE, P.O. Box 14565, Gainesville, FL 32604, USA.
Journal of Economic Entomology
|April 28, 2007
Summary
The Flybrella is an affordable, lightweight house fly trap that effectively captures Musca domestica L. using a toxicant strip and a novel cone design, improving pest control methods.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Pest Management
- Insect Trapping Technology
Background:
- House flies (Musca domestica L.) are significant pests in various environments.
- Existing fly traps often have limitations in terms of cost, effectiveness, or ease of use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an inexpensive, lightweight, and effective trap for house flies.
- To assess the efficacy of a novel trap design incorporating a toxicant and attractants.
Main Methods:
- The Flybrella trap design was developed, featuring a perforated tube with a toxicant strip and an inverted cone.
- Paired indoor tests were conducted to evaluate trap efficacy.
- Variations of the design, including concentric tubes, were tested.
Main Results:
- House flies readily entered the trap and were captured.
- The addition of attractant materials significantly increased the efficacy of the toxicant strip.
- A more efficient design with concentric tubes was identified.
Conclusions:
- The Flybrella trap offers a promising, cost-effective solution for house fly control.
- Trap design modifications and the use of attractants can enhance efficacy.
- The trap is easy to use, maintain, and empty.
