Fly infestation in clean coop HELP

[Treveryan]

I live in AZ and it’s getting pretty warm already, we have a flock of 4 in a nice sized coop that also have access to the rest of our backyard. Coop is cleaned typically 1x a week or 1x each 2 weeks at most but all of a sudden the flats are uncontrollable in their coop. I thought about maybe trying horse fly spray for the premises but didn’t know if it was chicken safe. Im desperate for any tips/tricks/remedies to help us and our poor girls out!!

 

[Kgbao]

Do a search on here for the following it will help a lot..

Diatomaceous Earth

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome!
Permethrin spray concentrate works great and is inexpensive. The permethrin dust works fine too, but the spray is easier to use.
Spalding fly predators help a lot, you can order them online, and they come monthly during fly season.
Make sure that whatever you use out there is labelled for poultry and poultry houses!
Mary

 

[Kgbao]

Make sure that whatever you use out there is labelled for poultry and poultry houses!
Mary

Very good point Mrs. Mary

 

[Treveryan]

Yes definitely! I should’ve mentioned We also have dogs that have access to most of the same area they do so dog safe is also necessary! I thought of going with a spray so I’m definitely gunna look into that! I’ve also wondered how diatomaceous earth helps so I clearly need to research that as well

 

[Folly's place]

DE has limited usefulness and is bad for anyone to inhale. It's also strip mined!
Permethrin is toxic to cats at doses that are fine for chickens and dogs, so having cats out of sprayed areas until they are dry is very important. I use permethrin dust under the shavings when we clean out the coop, and then use the spray if mites or lice appear on the chickens.
The fly predators are helpful, non-toxic, and too tiny to notice.
Mary

 

[ColoradoPip]

I've never used this brand, but fly tape works well as long as your chickens cannot get to it.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/rescue-fly-tape-3-pack

When it's really bad though, there is no doubt something based on this is the absolute best I've used:

https://fabulesslyfrugal.com/diy/diy-fly-trap/
https://www.familyhandyman.com/pest-control/the-best-homemade-fly-trap/
https://www.fliesonly.com/homemade-fly-traps/

I did something similar because the flies get trapped on my screened in porch area and was amazed how fast it cleaned them out.

 

[KatLue]

I live in AZ and it’s getting pretty warm already, we have a flock of 4 in a nice sized coop that also have access to the rest of our backyard. Coop is cleaned typically 1x a week or 1x each 2 weeks at most but all of a sudden the flats are uncontrollable in their coop. I thought about maybe trying horse fly spray for the premises but didn’t know if it was chicken safe. Im desperate for any tips/tricks/remedies to help us and our poor girls out!!

I have had really good luck with a box fan set next to coop. Flies aren't strong fliers. I have power at my coop but you could always run an extension cord out. May take a day or two for the girls to get used to it. I use this at night as well to keep the mosquitoes away as well.

 

[Folly's place]

Fly traps work really well, but remember that they attract flies, so set them up away from areas that you want cleaned out!
Mary

 

[cmom]

Welcome!
Permethrin spray concentrate works great and is inexpensive. The permethrin dust works fine too, but the spray is easier to use.
Spalding fly predators help a lot, you can order them online, and they come monthly during fly season.
Make sure that whatever you use out there is labelled for poultry and poultry houses!
Mary

DE has limited usefulness and is bad for anyone to inhale. It's also strip mined!
Permethrin is toxic to cats at doses that are fine for chickens and dogs, so having cats out of sprayed areas until they are dry is very important. I use permethrin dust under the shavings when we clean out the coop, and then use the spray if mites or lice appear on the chickens.
The fly predators are helpful, non-toxic, and too tiny to notice.
Mary

I agree with Mary. I had a mite infestation along with flies. I used the permethrin to battle the mites but as a bonus it also got rid of the flies. I did use DE and maybe it will work but for me it didn't work like the permethrin did. Some companies use it in ear tags for the cows/cattle to help with the flies. I was pleasantly surprised how well it worked and now when I go out to the coops I don't battle the flies. I haven't treated for quite awhile but am going to shortly because the fly population is picking up, but wherever I have recently put the poultry dust which has permethrin in it, no flies. I even put it in the pine shaving I use in my chick brooder and no flies. There is wire over the top of the trays with the shavings so there is no way the chicks can get to it.