Fly control

[SilkieRose]

How does everybody keep the flies down around their outdoor pens? Is there something to deter the flies that we can spray on the cages? I have outdoor cages that I use sand/dirt, foliage to try to keep it as natural as possible, but the flies are horrible! What to do??

 

[lizanne]

How does everybody keep the flies down around their outdoor pens? Is there something to deter the flies that we can spray on the cages? I have outdoor cages that I use sand/dirt, foliage to try to keep it as natural as possible, but the flies are horrible! What to do??

Following. I need some idea's too. I bought some soda bottle fly traps, and some sticky traps, but the flies are still bad.

 

[SilkieRose]

It's ridiculous!!! Glad I'm not the only one!!

 

[buttonquailtx]

I seeded black soldier fly larva everywhere there are house flies. After a few weeks, the soldier fly larva create a chemical that deters houseflies from laying eggs. The black soldier fly larva make tasty, healthy treats for my flock.

BSF larva can be purchased as Phoenix worms or Reptiworms. They are sold as reptile food. Buy small or medium and seed them wherever you see house fly larva.

I also made a composter that uses the BSF larva. No more house flies, and I only see a few soldier flies a day. And my birds and reptiles get healthy food! Can't beat free food from recycling waste.

The BSF adults are not a pest, and don't eat or bite. They actually don't have working mouth parts. So it's a a good trade off for thousands of house flies to the occasional soldier fly.

 

[Mehjr10]

I use hanging fly strips or tape and Spinosad garden spray in the coop and run. Not perfect but it helps.

 

[SilkieRose]

Holy buckets!!! I'm going to try that!!! When you say "seed them" what do you mean? Sprinkle them?? I'm just not familiar with this. THANKS!!!

 

[SilkieRose]

I use hanging fly strips or tape and Spinosad garden spray in the coop and run. Not perfect but it helps.

Spinosad? Is that ok for food producing birds? Seems like everything I find says not for food-producing birds

 

[Mehjr10]

Yes spinosad is a organic product, i use it for mites, lice, and flies. Also with the dogs for fleas. http://www.amazon.com/Monterey-LG61...=UTF8&qid=1372612402&sr=8-1&keywords=spinosad

http://forum.backyardpoultry.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=8012254

Some good links here.

 

[SilkieRose]

Thank you!!

 

[Hollow Point]

I keep them to a minimum by spraying 100% permethin diluted with water around areas if flys get bad.