Everything the restaurateur needs to know about food safe spray for front and back of house fly control.
Why you need fly spray in a restaurant.
Where would you be without your customers?
All roads in the industry lead to customer experience. Menus set, procedures in place – everything designed to create that memorable dining experience. And then there is a fly. No matter the teamwork, the preparation, the love; one fly has the potential to spoil it all.
Food Safety Standards means businesses must act to prevent fly problems. Business owners are required to stop flies entering and breeding on the premises and employ measures such as food safe fly sprays to eradicate any issues.
Flies are filthy, transmitting more than 60 diseases. Prolific breeders, one female can lay 130 eggs at a time and up to 700 in a single week.
Restaurants must work to remove potential breeding sites, installing fly wire screens, food safe spray and fly traps to stop infestation.
Prevention is better than cure.
Flies can sabotage a memorable dining experience, making it unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.
Check your restaurant for potential problem areas today.
Get started by downloading the fly control checklist here.
Avoid summer fly issues and get food safe fly sprays set up in advance.
Looking after your customers comfort and your reputation involves:
- Abiding by health regulations.
- Ensuring your establishment is free from flying pests.
- Keeping your social media reviews glowing.
- Five-star reviews, not “fly star” reviews.
Restaurant Fly Spray
Keep your kitchen fly free this Summer
How does fly spray work?
Not a fast knockdown
Food Safe Fly Spray is not a fast knockdown product.
The fly ingests the spray and is unable to metabolise it. If the insect wishes to live, it must remove itself from the spray affected area.
Pyrethrin functions well as an insect repellent at lower concentrations. Observations in food establishments demonstrate that flies are not immediately killed, but are found more often on windowsills or near doorways. This suggests, due to the low dosage applied, that insects are driven to leave the area before dying. Wikipedia Pyrethrin – Use as an insecticide
If the insect is unable to leave the space, say the restaurant is closed up, then the insect will die. The elimination process is gentler than a fast knockdown, as these tiny intruders can leave the space. This is of great benefit in a restaurant setting. It ensures the creatures will not die in the chef’s prep, in your display cabinets or beside the customer.
Read more about The Fly Lady natural pyrethrin spray here
Very fine micro particles of spray
The dispenser units have a brass solenoid which emits fine particles of spray, small enough to float in the air. Regular supermarket fly spray cans have a finger trigger on the top of the can. This style dispenses a droplet. This droplet is too large to float and falls to the ground. The pyrethrin spray combining with the super fine mist, is the secret.
Read more about The Fly Lady dispensers here
Positioning of dispensers
Dispensers are positioned according to several factors:
- External openings – doors and windows.
- Direction of airflow in / through the establishment.
- Existing problem areas.
- Location of other appliances such as range hood, air curtains / conditioners, ceiling fans.
Battery powered and spraying at 5 minute intervals, the Fly Lady Food Safe spray creates a fly free zone. When insects encounter the spray, they are left with no choice except to leave.
Product composition
The composition of the product is very different to fast knockdown fly control products. Fast knock down sprays have synthetic active ingredients that are toxic and not permitted anywhere near food.
The Fly Lady Food Safe Fly Spray boasts an active ingredient derived from flower oils which is toxic only to cold blooded creatures.
Please note that pyrethrins are harmful to aquatic animals. Spent aerosol cans must be kept out of water ways. Dispensers must not be installed near aquatic or reptile tanks.
Environmentally friendly
“As far as pesticides go, pyrethrum breaks down very quickly. It has relatively low toxicity and is totally biodegradable. It’s a good one to use.”
Jerry Coleby-Williams from
ABC’s Gardening Australia.
To read the full Gardening Australia Pyrethrum fact sheet click here.
Pyrethrum is one of the most commonly used non-synthetic insecticides allowed in certified organic agriculture.
Pyrethrin is nonpersistent. It does not build up in the environment. It does not have a residual effect. It also lacks photostability. This means the product breaks down in daylight.
“In the presence of sunlight, pyrethrin 1, a component of pyrethrins, breaks down rapidly in water and on soil and plant surfaces. Half-lives are 11.8 hours in water and 12.9 hours on soil surfaces. On potato and tomato leaves, less than 3% remained after 5 days.”
Taken from the National Pesticide Information Centre Pyrethrins General Fact Sheet. Click here for a technical pyrethrin factsheet from the National Pesticide Information Centre
Automatic Fly Spray
Set and forget 24-hour protection
Automatic fly spray provides set and forget convenience. Using commercial quality dispensers means less handling. Once installed and switched on, the automatic units are self sufficient for six weeks at a time.
The refill procedure
Pro tip: When deciding on the install location, opt for a spot you can reach without a ladder. This ensures refilling units is a simple, time efficient task.
The spray action is not draining on batteries. A set of batteries will last 5-6 refill rounds.
Click here to check out how easy it is to change over a refill can.
Setting Options
It is recommended units are left switched on while there is fly activity. The continual spray will force flies to leave during trading hours and eliminate whatever is locked in when your closed.
How long will a refill last set on 5 or 7 minutes?
Set at 5 minute intervals a refill will last for 6 weeks spraying every 5 minutes, 24 hours a day. At 7.5 minutes a refill will last 8 weeks spraying every 7.5 minutes, 24 hours a day.
The 7.5 minute setting is useful at the beginning and end of summer when the fly issue is not at its peak but there are still a few buzzing around creating a nuisance.
The Fly Lady Automatic Dispenser
Simple to operate, unobtrusive in design
Fly Spray for Restaurants.
Pyrethrins are classified as botanical, non-residual contact insecticides that break down readily in the presence of oxygen, light, moisture, and high temperature.
The fact that pyrethrins break down within a short time makes them ideally suited for use in food-handling facilities. They are effective at killing flies at lower dosage rates. Pyrethrins are effective against exposed flying or crawling insects.
“Considered to be among the safest insecticide for use around food”
Pamela S. Peckman, Frank H. Arthur
Insect Management for Food Storage and Processing
What is fly spray made of?
Pyrethrum is a plant (Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium). Pyrethrum is also the name of the crude extract obtained from the flowers of this plant. Be careful not to confuse pyrethrum with pyrethrin. Pyrethrin refers to a more refined extract of pyrethrum. Pyrethroids are synthetic versions of pyrethrin. Pyrethroids accumulate in the environment. The Fly Lady spray uses natural pyrethrin.
A field of pyrethrum daisys. A crop that never gets attacked by insects!
Genus Chrysanthemum. Member of the daisy or aster family, Asteraceae. They are perennial plants with a daisy-like appearance. Growing 30-60 cm in height. These plants prefer cooler climates.
History of pyrethrin.
Discovered in China and the Near East many centuries ago. The ground flower heads from 2 species was known as “insect powder” and sold in drug stores in the 19th and early 20th Century as “Pulvis Insectis” Pyrethrins constituted the powder’s active ingredients.
To read a fabulous history about how the product first came to market and the first pyrethrum production factory in Vienna in 1888 click here.
Australian pyrethrum
Australia is currently the world’s major grower of pyrethrum daisies. Up until recently most of the worlds Pyrethrum was grown in The rift Valley, Kenya. Also
They are grown around Northern Tasmania and Ballarat, Victoria. The cooler climate is ideal.
For more about the Tasmanian pyrethrum click here.
Is fly spray bad for humans?
Considered one of the safest insecticides available today.
Resistance to pyrethrin has been bypassed by pairing the pyrethrin with a synthetic synergists called piperonyl butoxide. Together, these two compounds prevent detoxification in the insect, ensuring insect death.
Synergists make pyrethrin more effective, allowing lower doses to be used. Pyrethrins are effective insecticides because they selectively target insects rather than mammals due to higher insect nerve sensitivity, smaller insect body size, lower mammalian skin absorption, and more efficient mammalian hepatic metabolism.
Mammals are less susceptible to pyrethrin than insects primarily because they have a faster metabolic clearance, higher body temperatures and a lower affinity for the pyrethrins. Go to Science Direct for more about pyrethrin.
When eaten or inhaled, pyrethrins are absorbed into the body. They are absorbed poorly by skin contact. Once inside, they are rapidly broken down into inactive products and are excreted or removed from the body in the urine.
Pyrethrin is widely used in Australia for
- Organic fruit and vegetable growing
- Childcare products such as head lice shampoos
- Skin based insecticides for treatment of scabies and crab
- Washing powders to treat bed bugs
- Control of pests in abattoirs
- Fly control in horse racing stables
- Fly control in the hospitality industry
- In the Agricultural and Horticultural fields
Fly spray dispensers in restaurants
Fly Lady automatic dispenser wall mounted front of house in customer seating area, close to the bin and quiet close to the front window where flies are often attracted.
Customer Seating, Front Window & Bin
A Fly Lady Fly Spray Dispenser wall mounted in a cafe.
Facing Coffee Machine Btn Door & Window
Natural fly spray for commercial kitchen fly control
Above The Bin In The Kitchen
Automatic fly control system to keep flies out of all types of food businesses
Automatic fly control system to keep flies out of all types of food businesses
Natural Fly killer installed beside the door and covering the bin.
Towards The Bin Beside The Door
Fly Lady automatic dispenser wall mounted in the wet area above the rubbish bin
Above The Bin In The Wet Area
Automatic Fly Spray Dispensers
Purchase your dispensers now and be fly proof in time for Summer.
Fly Spray
Shipped Australia Wide
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the fly spray work?
The active ingredients in the Fly Lady’s food safe fly spray creates a barrier of fine mist. The mist, known as a micro mist, floats in the air. This enables you to create an insect proof barrier with your doors and windows open. Insects are unable to metabolise the spray. To survive, insects must remove themselves – straight back out that open door. This means no flies dying in front of your customers or dead flies in the kitchen. Winning!
Read our pest control guide. Includes four steps Identify / Exclude / Restrict / Eliminate
Is fly spray for restaurants a time-consuming solution?
Automatic Fly Control Dispensers require refilling once every 6 weeks and the refill procedure takes less than 2 minutes per unit. They are both time and cost efficient and provide an ideal fly control solution.
Where do l install automatic fly spray?
Installation locations are selected according to specific problem areas, open doors and windows and where air flows in your restaurant. Placement of air curtains, range hoods and air conditioning units should also be considered.
Can l get assistance working out where to position the automatic fly spray dispensers?
Photos of your particular space can be sent to my mobile phone, so l am able to help you work out the optimum installation locations for your fly control units.
Can l talk to someone if l have questions?
Absolutely. The one person will handle your account. We operate from within Australia on Eastern Standard time. Call us and your question will be answered. (Otherwise your call will be returned within a reasonable time frame!)
Do automatic dispensers come with a warranty?
All automatic dispensers come with a 12-month warranty on mechanical parts.
How do l order?
Online: www.theflylady.com.au/shop/
Email: [email protected]
Text: 0439 375 933
I will require an email address to email the invoice to.
A mobile number.
A delivery address for the order.
Credit card payment is available via the website shop
Can l see examples of the fly spray dispensers installed in other restaurants?
For examples of installed automatic fly controlled units please visit the photo gallery page or The Fly Lady Instagram account
Can l use the fly spray without an automatic fly spray dispenser?
The fly spray aerosols are manufactured specifically to fit into the automatic dispensers. They cannot be used without a dispenser. Chefs don’t have time to be chasing flies! Set and forget using automatic dispensers and get on with the other zillion tasks on your list.
Can l use the fly spray outdoors?
In sunlight, pyrethrin mixture has a half-life of 10–12 minutes, which limits its outdoor uses. As the spray is fine it will float away. Unless you have a very sheltered roofed area, l would not recommend the product for outdoor use.
Will l need to run the fly spray all year?
This will depend on your location. Flies persist for longer in the warmer climates. It will also depend on the variety of fly. The vinegar flies tend to make a nuisance of themselves through the cooler months as well. If you are targeting blow flies, you may be able to switch your units off for the cooler months.
What other insects does the fly spray work on?
Pyrethrins are commonly used to control insects including flies, vinegar flies, fruit flies, ants, cockroaches, weevils, sand flies and mosquitos. The Fly Lady spray is designed to target flying insects.
Agricultural pest species that have been successfully controlled by pyrethrum include the potato, beet, grape, and six-spotted leafhopper, cabbage looper, celery leaf tier, Say’s stink bug, twelve-spotted cucumber beetle, lygus bugs on peaches, grape and flower thrips, and cranberry fruit worm.
Is the fly spray environmentally friendly?
The pyrethrins are a class of organic compounds. Pyrethrin naturally occurs in chrysanthemum flowers and is considered an organic insecticide when it is not combined with piperonyl butoxide. Its insecticidal and insect-repellent properties have been known and used for thousands of years.
Pyrethrin breaks down rapidly, so it does not persist in the environment.
In aquatic settings, toxicity of pyrethrin fluctuates, increasing with rising temperatures, water, and acidity. Aquatic life is extremely susceptible to pyrethrin toxicity. Used aerosol cans must be disposed of appropriately. In a bin or recycle bin depending on your local council.
Where is the fly spray made?
The Fly Lady Insect Spray is manufactured in Sydney, Australia and subject to Australian health and safety guidelines.
Are there other products that will assist with restaurant fly control?
Yes absolutely. Click here to download your copy of the restaurant fly control checklist. This will provide you with an audit checklist a staff member can perform at your restaurant. It will highlight potential problem areas to be monitored or rectified. The checklist will also recommend products that will assist with fly control in areas including your outside bin station.
Pest Control Checklist For Restaurants.
Read the article and download the checklist here