Effects of Three Desiccant Dusts and Two Dusts with Botanical Compounds on House Fly (Diptera: Muscidae) Eggs, Larval Development to Pupation and Adult Emergence and Survival

The house fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae), is considered to be a nuisance pest and a mechanical carrier of medical and veterinary pathogenic organisms. Because the fly has developed resistance to a variety of commonly used insecticides, novel alternative pest control tactics are being researched. Five desiccant dust-based formulations, silica gel (CimeXa), perlite (Imergard WP), diatomaceous earth (Celite 610, biologically produced in diatoms), silica gel + pyrethrins + piperonyl butoxide (PBO, a synergist) (Drione), and silica gel + thyme oil (EcoVia WD), were evaluated for effects on house fly egg hatching, larval development to pupation, adult emergence from pupae, and adult survival in the laboratory. While silica gel, perlite, and diatomaceous earth did not reduce egg hatching, pupation, and adult emergence from pupae, the silica gel + pyrethrins + PBO and silica gel + thyme oil formulations provided 100% control of those life stages. Adult house flies exposed to complete bodily coating and limited exposure from tarsal contact were killed by all three desiccant dust products without botanicals and two products formulated with botanicals. The formulations with bioactive botanicals provided more rapid control (3?4 h) than the desiccant dusts without botanicals (<24 h). All dust formulations showed effectiveness for house fly control to one extent or another; possible uses of the dusts as control tactics are discussed..