The Dog Fly Program conducted in this district is confined to the coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico. The season typically starts in August and runs through November. The flies start to congregate at the beach areas when the winds shift and come out of the north.
Surveillance is conducted by the district.
When significant numbers of dog flies are detected at the coastline, insecticide is applied to control their numbers. The dog fly looks like house flies in size and color except that the dog fly has a long piercing mouthpart used for penetrating the skin to obtain blood. Blood-seeking dog flies congregate on Florida Panhandle beaches as a result of northerly winds and cold fronts. It has been documented that dog flies come from areas of southern Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and northern Florida farming lands. During the dog fly season technicians from this district monitor the flies on the beaches.