Flies

[suburbanchick]

I used to frequent this board a lot more often and remember reading a lot about flies. Anyone have any tips about how to get rid of them? We have the biting ones, and I'm pretty sure it's bc of the chickens, as we've never had them before.

Thanks!

 

[Wolfpacker]

 

[speckledhen]

Guess that works if you have good, fast aim and want to stand in the coop all day swatting flies, LOL. I've always been a terrible fly swatter. They are really alot worse than last year at this time. Maybe I waited too long to start my war, but even with DE and Sweet PDZ, it's a buzzing madhouse around the coop.

 

[Standard Hen]

I am having the same problem this year too and the DE is doing nothing as far as I can tell. Of course when it rains and is wet it not only stinks to the high heavens but the flies are just terrible, I can hear them buzzing as I am coming up to the coop and I do not remember it this bad in the past. I am stumped on what to do to try to make this better so am open to any ideas from others. My hens free range all day but my teenagers and eight week olds stay in the pen. I have another pen with three Guineas in it and there is not a fly to be seen!

 

[suburbanchick]

Nice one, Wolfpacker!

I use DE in the run and coop, although they are only in there at night. It seems to be doing nothing.

I read something on this forum a while back about purchasing some sort of little flies who are harmless and eat the fly larvae... anyone know what I'm talking about?
If I knew they worked, I'd give it a try.

Also, we have a little ultraviolet light that works pretty well for mosquitoes... wonder if they'd work for flies too? I will go plug it in now and see.

 

[Wolfpacker]

Our flies are pretty bad too. But I think it just might be the norm for this year. My coop is pretty far from the house and we tried to have dinner on the back deck on the 4th of July and it was almost impossible. The flies were everywhere.

Suburbanchick, we got 3/4 inches of water last night.

 

[Wolfpacker]

Suburbanchick,

While I was just writing my last post, my wife called for me. She was sitting on our front porch in the swing. A possum came to the top of the stairs and looked at her. Our dog saw it and barked and it disappeared. I just looked all over for it and couldn't find it.

I'll bet the SOB is after my chickens!

 

[Blondie]

OK, This may not be a panacea, but I have hung baggies of water and pennies, and it seems to help. You still have to sprinkle DE and keep fresh bedding. Here's a pic of the water & pennies:

 

[Standard Hen]

Water & Pennies????????????

 

[MissPrissy]

I use DE and currently my barns are fly free.