Development and efficacy of a novel, scalable eco-friendly trap for housefly (Musca domestica L.) control

The housefly, Musca domestica, is a significant pest in agricultural settings, necessitating effective and sustainable control methods. This study evaluated the efficacy of a novel, eco-designed "Scalable Eco-Trap (SET)" baited with different attractant blends for managing M. domestica populations. A field trial was conducted over seven days at a commercial poultry farm in Edfina, El Beheira governorate, Egypt, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates per treatment. The performance of three bait formulations was compared: Trap 1 (commercial lure containing food attractants and pheromones + soap as a drowning agent), Trap 2 (fermentation-based bait of vinegar, yeast, and molasses), and Trap 3 (commercial lure containing food attractants and pheromones alone). Results demonstrated significant differences in capture rates and longevity among the attractants (ANOVA, p < 0.05). Trap 3 showed superior efficacy and longevity, capturing the highest number of flies consistently (peak on day 3: 101 flies; day 7: 90 flies). In contrast, Trap 1 resulted in a sharp peak and rapid decline, while Trap 2 provided moderate, stable attraction. The findings indicate that specific, semiochemical-based attractants are superior to generic food-based volatiles for housefly trapping. The study concludes that the SET design baited with a targeted lure offers an effective and sustainable strategy for monitoring and controlling M. domestica in confined animal operations.