Evaluation of cluster buster fly traps in a large commercial establishment

Authors: Hogsette, Jerome - Jerry

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/2021
Publication Date: 1/4/2021
Citation: Hogsette, Jr, J.A. 2021. Evaluation of cluster buster fly traps in a large commercial establishment. Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology. 37(1):6-9. https://doi.org/10.3954/1523-5475-37.1.6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3954/1523-5475-37.1.6

Interpretive Summary: Indoor fly control can be challenging especially if flies have developed resistance to pesticides, or if control is needed in chemically sensitive area, e.g., food handling areas. Ultraviolet light traps with glue boards are well suited for sensitive areas but placement and use of these traps may not be practical. Everyone knows that house flies are attracted to windows and sometimes window traps can be a good choice. Window traps with adhesive to catch flies, have been sold off and on, but they have not been widely used for pest management. The Cluster Buster fly trap is a unique trap in that flies enter a reservoir and sink into finely ground eggshells that act like quicksand. The reservoir has a flat side which attaches to a windowpane and a slit on top allows flies to fall into the trap. These traps were evaluated in the windows of the atrium of a large supermarket. House flies were captured in the highest numbers, followed by an anthomyiid fly and a chloropid eye gnat. The 8 traps used in the study prevented 526 house flies from entering the store without pesticides. Traps also captured insects from 19 other groups. It benefit to a pest management and possible use are discussed.

Technical Abstract: Indoor fly control can be challenging especially if flies have developed resistance to currently used pesticides, or if control is needed in chemically sensitive area, e.g., food handling areas. Ultraviolet light traps with glue boards are well suited for many sensitive areas but sometime placement and use of these traps is not practical. It is well known that house flies (Musca domestica L.) are attracted to windows and sometimes window trap can be an effective choice. Various window traps usually with adhesive to capture flies, have been sold off and on, but they have not been widely used for pest management. The Cluster Buster fly trap is a unique window trap in that flies enter a reservoir and sink into finely ground eggshells that act like quicksand. The reservoir has a flat side which attaches to a windowpane and a slit on top allows flies to fall into the trap. These traps were evaluated in the windows of the atrium of a large supermarket. House flies were captured in the highest numbers, followed by an anthomyiid fly and a chloropid eye gnat. The 8 traps used in the study prevented 526 house flies from entering the store without pesticides. Traps also captured insects from 19 other groups. It benefit to a pest management and possible use are discussed.