diatomaceous earth

[LilyD]

I have a large muddy area that attracts tons of little black flies that is near the area where my chickens are kept. I am keeping my pigs close to that as well. Would DE work to get rid of these flies and would it be safe if the chickens and pigs ate it while rooting around on the ground. I don't want to use anything that might cause them to get sick.

 

[knjinnm]

Use cattle/food grade DE, your critters will be fine.

 

[LilyD]

Cool thank you the bugs are getting horrible but the pigs love to play in the mud and I would worry that between that and the chicken running through the area next to that that they would get eaten alive.

 

[Saltysteele]

DE works by cutting the target, then absorbing the moisture. for instance, it's sharp edges will cut a louse, then absorb the moisture out of it, killing it.

if you throw it in mud, you've essentially taken away it's killing power