Dangerous diseases from “fruit flies” if allowed to fly around eyes and food

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Thailand is usually hot and humid all year round, and this is the type of climate where  fruit flies  can live comfortably. Therefore, Thai people may encounter fruit flies quite often, ยูฟ่าเบท especially in areas. With hot and humid weather.

Get to know “fruit flies”

Mrs. Nipa Benjapong, Medical Scientist 8, Insect Museum and Taxonomy Division, Institute of Health Science Research, gave information that it are small insects, approximately 3-4 mm long, usually yellow with red eyes. They are not medically important insects.

But they may be economically important. Fruits stored in our homes may always be disturb by this insect. The larvae usually live in spoiled fruits that have mold growing on them. That grows in the fruits.

Why do flies fly?

Fruit flies may also flock to sweat or oils from human skin. As they are attract by the smell of sweat and moisture.

  • Typhoid fever can be transmitte through flies that land on food. Causing contamination of food with various pathogens. Which can then transmit gastrointestinal diseases to humans. 
  • Pink eye : Fruit flies are small insects that like to fly in groups. Landing in moist areas such as human eyes. Which can spread the pink eye disease.
  • Pig mouth sores. Fruit flies are also vectors of pig mouth sores.

How to control and eliminate fruit flies

  • Environmental sanitation improvement
  1. Throw away food scraps, vegetable scraps, fruit scraps, and various types of garbage in a trash can with a tight lid that does not leak or seep water. And dispose of the garbage by burning, burying, composting, filling the area, or raising animals.
  2. Dispose of animal waste and waste by burying it, composting it to make fertilizer. Or composting it in a biogas fermentation tank.
  3. Vegetables, fruits, and pickled foods should be store in containers, food storage cabinets, or covered with a fine-meshed lid to prevent flies from landing on them.
  4. Areas where food is prepare, kitchens, restaurants. And food shops should be covere with wire mesh screens to prevent flies from entering or eating the food.