How Strike® products can help

Q: What are midge flies?

A: Midge flies, or chironomids, are one of the most common species of insects surrounding standing water sites. They are commonly found in wastewater treatment plants and along lake shores, but can tolerate a variety of environments. Chironomid midges lay eggs in slow-moving as well as stagnant water, in quantities of up to 3,000 at a time. After approximately one week, the eggs hatch to form larvae, also called bloodworms. The chironomid larvae thrive in nutrient-rich conditions, such as bacteria and sludge in wastewater treatment plants or other organic matter in lakes and ornamental ponds. Within approximately 10 days, the bloodworms mature into adult flies and start the cycle again. Severe chironomid midge fly infestations should be addressed to avoid nuisance issues and water quality problems.

Q: What is the difference between a chironomid and a gall midge fly?

A: Gall midge flies, family Cecidomyiidae, differ from chironomid midge flies, as the larvae live in the leaves and flowers of plants. The presence of gall midges causes the plant tissue to swell, forming galls. The family Chironomidae consists of nearly 2,000 species. Chironomid larvae are herbivorous and can be found in water sites.

Q: What are filter flies?

A: Drain flies, sink flies, moth flies, or sewer gnats (Psychodidae) are small true flies (Diptera) with hairy bodies and wings; one of their common names, moth flies.There are more than 4,700 known species. The adults live for approximately 20 days, during which they will breed only once, often within hours of emerging from their pupal casings. Females will lay their eggs (between 30 and 100) just above the water line inside moist drains. Removing the breeding site is the most important part of a drain fly control program.

Q: What is Strike?

A: Strike® is a highly effective larvicide for the control of nuisance flies at wastewater treatment facilities.

Q: What makes Strike® unique?

A: Strike® contains an insect growth regulator (IGR). IGRs are unique in that they do not control pests in the ways that conventional pesticides do. Conventional pesticides kill the adults, whereas IGRs work by controlling the emergence of adult pests from the pupal stage.

Q: How does the IGR in Strike® control flies?

A: IGRs are mimics of natural products in an insect's body. A pest absorbs the IGR into its system, where it disrupts normal development and causes the insect to remain in the pupal stage where it dies. In other words, IGRs prevent flies from becoming the adults that create the nuisance to workers and surrounding residential areas.

Q: How is Strike® applied?

A: Strike® is dispensed via a free-standing unit that contains a tank, metering pump, stand and mixing device. All of the equipment runs on 120 volts, and typical setup takes less than 15 minutes.

Q: Where should I apply Strike®?

A: Strike® should be applied to infested areas, including lagoons, ponds, and in wastewater treatment facilities where the sewage enters the system after primary treatment (grit and sediment separation). Make applications at the headworks or discharge box as the sewage enters the infested area.

Q: How much Strike® liquid needs to be applied?

A: Strike® is applied at the rate of 5 ounces (3oz for Ultra) per 1 million gallons of flow per day. Meter the correct amount of Strike® into the influent side over a 6 to 8 hour period of low flow. Continue the 5-ounce per million gallons rate for 7-10 days.

Q: Do Strike® liquid products require special handling?

A: No. They are water-based liquid concentrates which are easy to handle, mix and use. The active ingredient is Strike® liquids is active only against insects and is one of the most environmentally compatible insect control products on the market

Q: Will Strike® interfere with microbiological activity in the facility?

A: No. Because the active ingredient in Strike® affects only insects, there is no need for concern about effects on the beneficial microbes. Nor do the inert ingredients in Strike® cause a problem.

Q: What areas of a wastewater facility can be treated?

A: Strike® can be used anywhere in the facility where midges and filter flies are a problem. Typical application sites include trickling filters, sludge drying beds, clarifiers and any other location where nuisance flies are breeding.

Q: Will using Strike® Products for midge and filter fly treatments raise the level of toxicity in the water?

A: No. Strike® products have a relatively short half-life. After normal filtration and UV treatments, Strike® products are typically undetectable when water is tested.

Q: What makes Strike® different than other products used for fly control?

A: Strike® is unlike any other product used to control filter flies. Strike® attacks the pest problem at the source - the organic matter associated with wastewater facilities. Strike® products control the larvae before they become adults, thus breaking the cycle of infestation. By preventing the larvae from becoming adults, there are no adults to continue the cycle. While other products kill only a small portion of adult flies, Strike® controls them at the source of the infestation.