Flies are everywhere!

[werttyy]

There are flies everywhere surrounding the coop and the area the chickens are allowed to roam. I'm pretty sure that this is because of the hot season. Right now, it's not even that hot! I'm so worried that by the middle of summer, there will be flies everywhere, not even just the coop and area they are allowed to roam in. Please help!

 

[GA_Gypsy]

I found this as I was just searching for the same answer as you. Don't know if it really works but at least there aren't any chemicals involved:

Take a clear ziplock bag and put some water in it (1/2 to 3/4 or about that). The sun shines on the water and reflects a "spider web" effect. The flies will not enter for fear of getting caught in the web.

I've also heard this is the reason:

Evidently, houseflies, being highly edible and defenseless, are nervous types, and don't like to sit still when they see something moving nearby, because it could be a predator. The water bag acts a bit like a lens--try it some time--in which the movements of people in the area are reflected. Even if the fly is too far from the action to see it directly, it can see a shifting of light and dark in the water bag, which it interprets as nearby movement, and it will fly away from the bag.

Also, I witnessed at my MIL's house that house & fruit flies don't like basil. So her granddaughter recently bought her a basil plant that she keeps in her kitchen. Presto....no more flies!

I think I'll try these ideas myself since in the past week our house has been swarmed by flies. I know our hens must be dealing with the same problem. Good luck and let me know if this helps you out!

 

[CupOJoe42]

People have posted that hanging the vanilla car air freshener trees keeps flies away. Worth a shot!

 

[ladyride]

i know that the water in the bag works just don't know reason tho you can also put water bags hanging by your door no flies in house