Shoo Pfly, Don’t bother me! Let’s start a NO FLY ZONE! 
We’ve had a few residents asking about flies, mosquitoes and the City’s efforts to help control insects. While the City of Pflugerville does not spray or fog for mosquitoes or flies due to the negative environmental impact, some of the ways the City has tried to control mosquitoes is by putting Purple Martin houses at Lake Pflugerville and using mosquito dunk discs in standing water areas or ditches in the City to keep eggs from hatching.

Here are some ways you can help!

• Don’t toss open trash from the kitchen to your main outdoor trash can.
• Seal your kitchen trash first.
• Consider recycling your plastic grocery store bags in this manner by putting food scraps into the plastic bags, tying them, and then tossing into your kitchen bag. This will keep you from giving flies anything to smell or eat.
• Repeat bleach treatment each week and you’ll notice a decrease. (see article)
• Other recommendations include aerosol fly sprays which contain synergized pyrethrins, tetramethrin or resmethrin; insecticide fly baits that can go in small, shallow trays in fly-infested areas and resin strips which work well on the underside of a garbage can or dumpster lids.

If you compost, it can be a wonderland for flies unless properly controlled. The tip is to bury food waste and not overload. Eco-cycle.org recommends keeping a plastic sheet or old carpet piece on the surface of the compost. Try sprinkling some calcium carbonate (lime from stone) in the bin and/or a petri dish.

The My Pest Control Blog has more natural ways to eliminate pests including eucalyptus oil, and mint!

What about Mosquitoes?

With the wonderful rain comes mosquitoes. When August rolls around, the excess heat may cause the mosquito problem to become worse. Birdbaths and even pet dishes can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Also, check your rain gutters! Make sure your rain gutters are clean of debris so that they dry out quickly! Wet leaves and debris also attract mosquitoes.

To keep the mosquitoes off your body, use the Four D's:

• wear DEET,
• Dress appropriately with long sleeves and pants,
• Drain stagnant areas of water and
• Stay indoors during dawn and dusk hours.

Cooking oil is a good mosquito repellent and candles attract mosquitoes away from you and to the light. (full article) Use bug sprays if you’re going to be out in the early morning and evening hours. Getridofthings.com is one of several websites giving advice on how to get rid of both mosquitoes and flies.

The American Mosquito Control Association offers a wealth of information and suggestions for preventing and controlling the little buzzers!

Let's work together to make Pflugerville...A NO FLY ZONE!