Maggots Made Cute

The new animated motion picture, "Fly Me to the Moon" is opening in local theaters today. Press releases for the film give mixed reviews, but we have to give them credit for making even the maggots in this fly-boy movie look cute. However, actual maggots are a far cry from the chubby pink images in the film. They are of course, fly larvae, most often found in garbage areas or congregated around decaying matter. If you have ever encountered these small, off-white worm-like crawlers, you  may already know that most bug sprays won't even slow them down. This is true for larvae in general. To stop them, find and remove the source. Here are some ideas for around the house and yard:

Empty and clean trash receptacles at least weekly. 

Keep doors and windows closed or properly screened.

Use garbage cans with tight-fitting lids, no holes.

Dispose of leftovers in plastic bags, securely tied.

Discard animal droppings as soon as you can, also in plastic bags.

Remove decaying fruit from under trees.

You can call the county department of vector control if  you have large numbers of flies around your property and cannot locate the source. Fly strips are a good way to eliminate adult flies indoors. Since flies can carry diseases like dysentery, cholera, pink eye, and even tuberculosis, it is important to address an infestation in a timely fashion. Unlike the cheerful cartoon creatures in the feature film, flies should not be a welcome guest in your home.