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Home > Flies | Filth Flies | Soldier Flies | Fly Control Products
Photo Credit: Tom Myers
Identification
Soldier flies are large (5/8-inch long).
The coloration varies among species.
The Soldier Fly thorax is usually black above, yellow to yellowish green
on the sides. The adult black soldier flies have black wings, held over
the back when at rest.
Others vary in color from metallic blue to green and purple or black and
yellow patterns.
They have characteristic "elbowed" antennae due to a long terminal segment.
In many situations involving this fly, only the larvae or pupae are found.
Black soldier fly larvae,
Photo by G. McIlveen, Jr.
The key to soldier fly identification is the presence of its distinctive larvae
Larvae are dark brown, torpedo-shaped and flattened. The larva grows to
over one inch in length.
The larvae and pupae of the soldier fly are distinctive in appearance, and
is a key in identifying this type of fly. This larvae (maggot) is usually
seen under or around dumpsters, garbage cans or compost piles.
The organic material in which the Soldier Fly breeds is always damp and
usually in an advanced stage of decomposition.
The pupa is also flattened and dark brown.
Most of the time the Soldier fly is not breeding inside, but can be found
around dumpster areas.
Inside breeding sources usually occur in large buildings where the dumpster
is located inside in a loading dock area.
Look for larvae and pupae along walls and the edge of the dumpster. Because
the size of the larvae and pupae is so large, it is easy to identify.
Sanitation of the dumpster would be important step in the control of these
flies.
Clean up organic debris found around, in and under the dumpster. The Soldier
flies encountered in and around homes usually breed and feed in damp organic
material associated with poorly maintained dumpsters.
Inspecting for Soldier Flies
When Soldier Flies are found in a building, it is usually the direct result of a nearby dumpster or other such garbage receptacle. Inspect dumpsters, compost piles and garbage cans; the peculiar larvae and pupae will be found under or around dumpsters. The younger maggots will be buried in a compost pile or damp organic material and are more difficult to locate. It is during the last instar that the maggots crawl to visible areas to pupate. The organic material in which the Soldier Fly breeds is always damp and usually in an advanced stage of decomposition.
Solider Fly Control
Spraying Dumpster Surfaces will be of some help, but sanitation
is ultimately required.
The flies rest on the sprayed surface of the dumpster and pick up enough
insecticide to kill them.
When spraying the surfaces, it should be wet enough to the point of
runoff, but not enough to form puddles.
Recommended residual Insecticides:
Demon WP 
or  Cyper
WP are wettable powders, mixed with water to spray exterior
surfaces where flies would land, sprayed once a month. Wettable powders will show up visible on dark surfaces
Use  Cyonara 9.7 if you are concerned about the visiblity on dark surfaces.
Cyonara 9.7, Demon WP or Cyper WP would all work equally well.
Some Soldier Flies are aquatic, depositing their eggs at
the edge of water; these are not the species normally found infesting homes
or other structures.
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CB 80 Pyrethrin Aerosol