Common house fly, Musca domestica. (Photo by Stephen Ausmus, ARS)

Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Us

House flies are notorious pests, not only in your house but also in livestock production settings where they can transmit pathogens to animals. House flies account for up to $1 billion in damage in the U.S. annually. One of the effective tools is the use of dry sugar baits that include a fast-killing insecticide. A bittering agent called denatonium benzoate is usually added to these products to deter children, pets, and livestock from accidentally consuming the bait. 

A study conducted by ARS scientists in Gainesville, FL, along with Northern Illinois University, examined whether flies can detect denatonium benzoate at any dosage and whether alternative bitter chemicals could be used in its place. Learn more...

The Agricultural Research Service is the U.S. Department of Agriculture's chief scientific in-house research agency. Daily, ARS focuses on solutions to agricultural problems affecting America. Each dollar invested in agricultural research results in $20 of economic impact.