Can Flies Be Eradicated?

Many countries have succeeded in eradicating flies, whose presence causes harassment to residents and inflicts serious harm, as they transmit infections and diseases, contribute to food poisoning, and some species cause bites and skin inflammation.

The fly’s life cycle lasts about one month, during which a single female lays approximately 500 eggs. We will not enumerate here the various diseases, infections, and pollution caused by flies, let alone the nuisance they pose to anyone sitting in a park or walking outdoors. In the past, Kuwait used to spray pesticides to eliminate flies (known locally as “amsha” or “flyt”) in homes and streets, when houses were built in the traditional Arab style. However, this approach is no longer suitable. To effectively eradicate flies, the approach to waste management must be reconsidered by designating specific areas with bins, adopting waste recycling practices, and washing and disinfecting bin areas daily.

Reaching this stage requires a review of cleaning service contracts. The education level of workers should be at least secondary school, with proficiency in spoken, written, and reading English, and they should hold a certificate in waste recycling training. A minimum wage should be established, and housing standards must be enforced, ensuring each worker has a private room and a shared bathroom for every two workers. Strict oversight of waste management is essential to ensure that waste sites do not become breeding grounds for flies.