Flies

[AidKD]

Where I live summer is in full swing and so are flies! I always keep the coop very clean and have been careful not to leave scraps lying around. I went out there today and seen at least 30 of them all over in the coop. I tried an essential oil spray which lasted while you could still see the wet spots. I was wondering if anybody had any DIY sprays or anything. They are sooo annoying and not good for my chickens.

 

[iwltfum]

Those bag fly traps that smell like garbage when you activate them work ok to get a majority of them, but they seem to be attracted by the fresh poop in and around my coop and new ones come in seemingly hourly. I have just learned to deal with them and keep things as clean as possible - during the summer fly season especially. If there are flies being attracted to your coop, you will definitely not get rid of all of them until the season is over, but you can control them ok with those bag traps. The ones I've used are called "Big Bag fly trap". They will fill up quick if you have alot of flies and you have to throw them away and replace with a new one once that happens, but I'm not convinced they don't attract even more flies because of the smell they emit.

 

[AidKD]

Those bag fly traps that smell like garbage when you activate them work ok to get a majority of them, but they seem to be attracted by the fresh poop in and around my coop and new ones come in seemingly hourly. I have just learned to deal with them and keep things as clean as possible - during the summer fly season especially. If there are flies being attracted to your coop, you will definitely not get rid of all of them until the season is over, but you can control them ok with those bag traps. The ones I've used are called "Big Bag fly trap". They will fill up quick if you have alot of flies and you have to throw them away and replace with a new one once that happens, but I'm not convinced they don't attract even more flies because of the smell they emit.

Thank you for the suggestion! Have you ever tried any kind of homemade spray? I would like to try to do it expense free.

 

[iwltfum]

Thank you for the suggestion! Have you ever tried any kind of homemade spray? I would like to try to do it expense free.

Sorry I haven't. I've made homemade bug spray for mosquitos and whatnot, but not for keeping flies out of the coop. And those essential oils definitely weren't free or even that effective for very long. You could try making fly traps out of old 2 liter containers or milk jugs. You may also consider that chickens have sensitive respiratory systems that a spray repellent could mess with if it's made with essential oils.

 

[AidKD]

I agree! How do you make those fly traps?

 

[iwltfum]

I agree! How do you make those fly traps?

here is an article on making one although I would do it with a 2 liter. I think it's a 12oz bottle in the article. Same idea.

 

[AidKD]

This is going to help soooo much!!! Thank you! I never thought about a homemade fly trap. Thanks again!

 

[cmom]

I had a mite issue and flies. I sprayed my coops with permethrin to get rid of the mites and to my surprise it also eliminated the flies. The bonus is there is no egg withdrawal period. I get it at TSC.

 

[AidKD]

I had a mite issue and flies. I sprayed my coops with permethrin to get rid of the mites and to my surprise it also eliminated the flies. The bonus is there is no egg withdrawal period. I get it at TSC.

Thank you!

 

[RebeccaRN]

Where I live summer is in full swing and so are flies! I always keep the coop very clean and have been careful not to leave scraps lying around. I went out there today and seen at least 30 of them all over in the coop. I tried an essential oil spray which lasted while you could still see the wet spots. I was wondering if anybody had any DIY sprays or anything. They are sooo annoying and not good for my chickens.

What essential oils did you use? Basil and peppermint oil works for me