Houseflies (Musca spp.) in Pig Farming Systems: Implications for Health and Environmental Management in Tropical Indonesia
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69930/ajer.v3i1.691Keywords:
Houseflies (musca spp.); Pig Farming Systems; Environmental Management; Public Health; SanitationAbstract
Houseflies (Musca spp.) are common synanthropic insects in pig farming systems and are widely recognized for their potential role in the mechanical transmission of pathogens, particularly in tropical endemic settings. In Indonesia, pig farming is frequently conducted in close proximity to residential areas, where inadequate environmental management may increase risks to animal and public health. This study aimed to examine the presence and potential role of houseflies in pig farming systems and to assess their implications for health and environmental management in tropical Indonesia. A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in selected pig farming areas. Houseflies were collected using standardized trapping techniques from pig housing, waste accumulation sites, and surrounding environments. Microbiological analyses were performed to detect pathogenic bacteria associated with gastrointestinal and zoonotic diseases, while environmental management practices, including waste handling, sanitation, and biosecurity measures, were assessed through structured observations and interviews. The findings revealed high housefly density in areas characterized by poor waste management and suboptimal sanitation conditions. Pathogenic bacteria of public health significance were identified on the external surfaces of collected houseflies, indicating their potential role as mechanical vectors. Farms implementing better environmental management practices showed lower fly abundance and reduced levels of microbial contamination. These results underscore the importance of integrated health and environmental management in pig farming systems. Improving waste management, sanitation, and fly control measures is essential to reduce disease transmission risks and to support sustainable and health-oriented livestock production in tropical regions of Indonesia.
References
1. Graczyk, T. K., Knight, R., & Tamang, L. (2005). Mechanical transmission of human protozoan parasites by insects. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 18(1), 128–132.
2. Olsen, A. R. (1998). Regulatory action criteria for filth and other extraneous materials. Food Control, 9(6), 327–332.
3. Fischer, O. A., et al. (2004). Bacteria carried by houseflies and their antimicrobial resistance. Veterinary Microbiology, 101(4), 259–267.
4. World Health Organization. (2017). Vector-borne diseases. WHO.
Scott, J. G., et al. (2014). Insecticide resistance in house flies. Annual Review of Entomology, 59, 343–363.
5. Scott, J. G., et al. (2014). Insecticide resistance in house flies. Annual Review of Entomology, 59, 343–363.
6. Keiding, J. (1986). The housefly: Biology and control. WHO.
7. Hald, B., & Sommer, H. M. (2008). Skatole and microbial transmission by flies. Epidemiology and Infection, 136(10), 1357–1364.
8. Zurek, L., & Ghosh, A. (2014). Insects represent a link between food animal farms and the urban environment. Microbial Ecology, 68(3), 435–444.
9. Akre RD, Thompson KM, Nguyen HT, et al. Environmental determinants of Musca domestica-associated pathogen transmission: a systematic review. J Environ Health Res. 2021;15(4):234–245.
10. Singh P, Sharma A. Impact of sanitation and waste management on housefly-mediated disease risks: an epidemiological study. Int J Infect Dis. 2022;119:45–53.
11. Onibala, J. S., Suyadi, S., Maylinda, S., & Nurgiartiningsih, V. M. A. (2022). Phenotypic Characteristics of Local Pigs in the North Sulawesi. Jurnal Ilmu Ternak Universitas Padjadjaran, 22(1), 6-11.
12. Geden, C. J. (2005). Methods for monitoring outdoor fly populations. Journal of Agricultural Entomology, 22(2), 77–91.
13. Holinger, C., Früh, B., Stieger, J., & Auerbach, H. (2020). Environmental monitoring in livestock housing systems: Methods and applications. Biosystems Engineering, 193, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biosystemseng.2020.02.001
14. Kaufman, P. E., Gerry, A. C., Rutz, D. A., & Scott, J. G. (2001). Monitoring house fly populations in livestock facilities. Journal of Economic Entomology, 94(2), 425–432. https://doi.org/10.1603/0022-0493-94.2.425
15. Lysyk, T. J., & Moon, R. D. (1994). Effects of temperature and humidity on house fly activity. Environmental Entomology, 23(3), 623–629. https://doi.org/10.1093/ee/23.3.623
16. Mulla, M. S., & Hwang, Y. S. (1979). Chemical attractants for synanthropic flies. Journal of Economic Entomology, 72(1), 98–101. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/72.1.98
17. Pickens, L. G., & Thimijan, R. W. (1986). Design parameters that affect the performance of sticky traps for flies. Journal of Economic Entomology, 79(1), 137–141. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/79.1.137
18. Scott, J. G., Leichter, C. A., Rinkevich, F. D., Harris, S. A., Su, C., Aberegg, L. C., Moon, R. D., Geden, C. J., Gerry, A. C., Taylor, D. B., Byford, R. L., Watson, D. W., & Boxler, D. J. (2014). Insecticide resistance in house flies: Evolution, mechanisms, and management. Annual Review of Entomology, 59, 529–547. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-011613-162012
19. Temple, D., Courboulay, V., Manteca, X., Velarde, A., & Dalmau, A. (2011). The welfare of growing pigs in five different production systems: Assessment of animal-based indicators. Animal Welfare, 20(1), 43–56.
20. Thrusfield, M. (2007). Veterinary epidemiology (3rd ed.). Blackwell Science.
21. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2010). Good practices for biosecurity in the pig sector. FAO Animal Production and Health Guidelines. FAO.
22. Nangoy, M., Onibala, J., Kawatu, M., Lapian, H., Laatung , S., Koneri, R., & Sompie, F. (2023). Edukasi Pengendalian Lalat Penyebar Penyakit Pada Peternak Babi Tangkoko Bitung Sulawesi Utara Bitung Provinsi Sulawesi Utara. The Studies of Social Sciences, 5(1), 37–45. https://doi.org/10.35801/tsss.v5i1.50499
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Quinthia Amanda Manitik, Meis Jacinta Nangoy, Wulan Pingkan Julia Kaunang, Jane Silvana Iriane Onibala, Juliet Merry Eva Mamahit, Jane Maria Fransiska Tahulending
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
