FLIES!!! LOTS OF THEM

[thotchkiss60]

Hello All!

i am having a problem with lots of flies in my run area. I clean it out every day and still there are flies. I have tried fly traps and organic pesticide spray. It only helps for a little bit. Does anyone have any tips/tricks/suggestions? Thanks!

Tim

 

[jeepguy982001]

I don't have any particular answer. But i looked on youtube and seems like they have tons of different homemade ones outta 2 liter coke bottles and such.

 

[zazouse]

Put some dried leaves in the run. looks good, smells good and the flies can't get to the soil.
I always put leaves out befor the rain where the hens hang out and lay , helps keep the eggs from getting dirty and the area stay cleaner
Now if they are all over the coup after that i don't know what you could do.

 

[mohillbilly]

let the chicken deal with them they love them

 

[Lollipop]

Since you don't free range your fowl, get some Golden Malrin at the feed store. It's a fly bait used in stables. No good if it gets wet, but deadly. I have sprinkled a few pieces on a stinky open garbage can and couldn.t believe the pile of dead flies. Kills instantly, but dangerous for animals. Be carefull........Pop

 

[Aschenfire]

Pop, I do free range my birds in my yard a bit, not to jack the thread, but do you think Marin would be ok if it were in a chicken-free container?

 

[joan1708]

I hear from several sources that the deep litter method will help control the flies because it allows the fly predators to live. Gail Damerow (Storey's guide to taking care of chickens) specifically says that cleaning your run too much will allow the fly population to explode. I haven't had chickens long enough to answer from experience.

 

[cukooformarans]

Muscovy ducks are very helpful ...

ETA I have also had good luck with diatomaceous earth. Yes, I know it's usefulness is widely debated, but I can only tell you my experience. Muscovies and DE are a great combo and it won't hurt the birds to eat some of the DE, either.

 

[PoultryGirly]

A guinea will take care of this problem. Most people buy guineas for this reason.

 

[hoofservant]

Guineas will also take care of tick issues, if you have them, and help cut down on the mosquito population. Sadly, mine keep leaving, so I have to keep replacing them.