About to get rid of my hens if I cant solve this FLY problem

[Red Barn Farms]

Has anyone tried a gallon ziplock filled with water and a penny? I use one by my front door (where the girls like to hang out and poop) and my flies have cut back 90% percent, seriously-crazy right? I haven't used one in my coop yet (no need). It worked wonders for that one spot! I wonder if it'll work in the coop as well?

x2 on this method. It has worked well for us. Place bags on tree limbs if possible which will be in the sun. The water bag greatly depends on using the method along with the suns rays. You will want to keep the water filled bags in the sun as much as possible.

 

[Metanoia]

How does this bag trick work? What metals are in a penny and what is the reaction it is causing in the water that is getting rid of the flies? What equivalent currency would work in other countries?

 

[Red Barn Farms]

How does this bag trick work? What metals are in a penny and what is the reaction it is causing in the water that is getting rid of the flies? What equivalent currency would work in other countries?

It has to do with light refraction. Read this

http://science.howstuffworks.com/en...insects-arachnids/water-bags-repel-flies1.htm

 

[Gallo del Cielo]

Quote:
You have to read beyond the first page of this article. While there are plenty of explanations of how it could work, the only documented evidence suggests that it doesn't.



Quote:

 

[JackE]

Some people swear by the vanilla trees. check out the link.
Jack

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/368487/flies-no-more-found-the-perfect-fly-repellent

 

[aoxa]

Some people swear by the vanilla trees. check out the link.
Jack

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/368487/flies-no-more-found-the-perfect-fly-repellent

I have heard of this as well.

Having the coop in the shade would help. Flies like warm sunny locations.

 

[mrstrouty]

I have not tried this personally, but I read somewhere that if you put some basil in a mesh pouch and hang it in the areas affected by the flies, it will keep them away. It's supposed to keep most flying insects away. Good luck

 

[cgmccary]

I lived in the city at one time and kept a flock of chickens and learned how to keep the fly population down.

Do not let feed get scattered & wet as this attracts them. I also used and still use a gnat size wasp that preys on flies; they work wonders- Here: http://www.biconet.com/flies/FC3.html OR I order them here: http://www.arbico-organics.com/category/organic-pest-control-fly-control I have one of those solar fly traps as well but find I do not need it. I have used the nematodes before too.

I also have a couple of bat houses on my barns. http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/bat-houses.asp One is a 3 chambered one (In the city, I let the bats roost in my louvers & put up a bat house too). The Big Brown Bat I have found likes roosting near people http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_brown_bat.

I let the Chimney Swifts roost in my chimney during the Spring & Summer (they fly to Peru about this time of year) http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/chimney_swift/id.

I do not put out poisons so as to not to hurt birds that eat flies & insects. I encourage fly catchers (also the Crested is attracted to birdhouses)http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Crested_Flycatcher/id.

I have at least 5 species of flycatchers around the place. During the Spring & Summer, I see some every day sitting on the fence snapping up flies (one, the eastern Kingbird is one of my favorite birds:
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/eastern_kingbird/id

I still have some flies, but they are no more numerous than anywhere else.

 

[Red Barn Farms]

A few years ago we lived in the city and this very nice elderly couple who lived next door to us had this bag of water with a few pennies inside it hanging beside their backdoor. After a few weeks curiosity took it's toll on me so I went over and asked what it was for. I was told it was for fly control. Well, I had to try it out! It was in the hot summer months and I have to say after placing the water filled zip lock bag beside one of our doors we didn't have anymore flies trying to get in. I've since used this system for fly control and have observed how flies will change their traveling route before they get anywhere close to the bag. Now this worked when the bag was in sunlight. In shade it didn't really work as well. It seems light has to shine through the bag for any effects to be noticed.

Editing to add:

This is off topic and not related to chickens but if you have mosquito problems you don't have to use harmful chemicals such as brands like 'Off' etc. on yourself. We have been using Avon's 'SSS' Skin SO Soft Oil. Just rubbing a bit on your arms and legs will keep them pesky blood sucking vamps away!

 

[aoxa]

This is off topic and not related to chickens but if you have mosquito problems you don't have to use harmful chemicals such as brands like 'Off'  etc. on yourself.  We have been using Avon's 'SSS' Skin SO Soft Oil.  Just rubbing a bit on your arms and legs will keep them pesky blood sucking vamps away!

I use straight citronella oil - organic It smells SO nice, and helps keep the flies off, plus it makes your skin silky smooth.