Flies

[Clayglen]

What's the best control of flies?

 

[JadedPhoenix]

CHICKENS!!! LOL!!

My mother-in-law hangs bags of water in the shape of hives around the pool to keep the flies down. SEEMS to help.

 

[Blammmo]

Good housekeeping or a set of guinea hens

 

[TeePants]

I'm having the same problem here Clayglen. We're in South Louisiana and the recent rain combined with the 90+ temperatures have turned our coop and run into fly heaven! It's disgusting. We use sand in the coop and run but it's been so damp lately that it hasn't really been doing it's job.

I've read everything from vanilla car air fresheners around the coop, water traps, fly paper and bug zappers. I've also read that certain types of herbs (basil, lavender, mint and rosemary) are natural fly deterrents. Muscovy ducks are also supposed to be great at keeping flies down as they'll eat insects happily. Our neighbor has a bunch and we're seriously considering getting a couple since they also really enjoy the constant damp weather.

If it's dry where you are, diatomaceous earth is great for getting rid of maggots, it dries them out and kills them and won't hurt your chickens, even if they eat it.

And finally, good housekeeping really is the best way to get rid of them. Just remember that for every miserable pile of poop you rake up, you're guaranteeing a fly-free future for your barn or backyard, lol!

We're probably going to employ a bunch of these techniques today as we set up their new run and clean out the old one so I'll let you know which, if any, work best.

 

[abserbean]

I am in FL, and it's always hot and muggy here. I tried planting herbs and plants that are supposed to help, I can't say that I noticed much of a difference, although if you are right beside the basil or mint it seems to deter. And as a plus, my bunnies love the treats! I did hang some of the vanilla tree air freshners, and is actually seems to be cutting down on the flies, but I can't say how long it will help b/c I just hung them three days ago. Keeping the poo out of the coop helps, but our run is large, and it rains everyday,so keeping the poo out of that is not very practical.

 

[Clayglen]

Don't want/need anymore critters right now. My coop/run are attached and it is portable so I do move it around. The rain and humidity haven't helped lately. Gonna try some fly attractant traps and see if they help.

 

[Rocky Rhodes]

Don't want/need anymore critters right now. My coop/run are attached and it is portable so I do move it around. The rain and humidity haven't helped lately. Gonna try some fly attractant traps and see if they help.

If you dry in the entire coop, including the run, This will help a lot. I have struggled with flies for years, but all my coops are dried in this year and the fly population has decreased dramatically.

 

[Michael Apple]

Keep watch on the birds' vent area where droppings can gather. Keeping them clean will prevent the danger of flies laying eggs and hatching into maggots. Maggots can invade the vent. Some of the more densely feathered breeds get a light trim back there to keep things clean. Stationary coops benefit from an exhaust fan since flies, mosquitoes avoid air currents. Keeping coops dry, like Rocky Rhodes mentioned, not letting droppings accumulate, and keeping coops well ventilated is beneficial. I paint my roosts with Rabon or Permethrin every few weeks and that helps too.

 

[cbuff6]

What's the best control of flies?

I have just used ecosmart all natural insect repellent. I sprayed it all inside the coop. It smells nice and seemed to work.

 

[Clayglen]

Where can you buy it ?