Fly Issues

[RosemaryDuck]

Hey all. I have this issue every once in a while and wanted some advice.

I'll go months without seeing a single fly in my duck pen, and then there will be 2-3 days of rain and flies will absolutely take over the yard.

I clean constantly, replace the hay, and don't leave out any excess food. I have 3 large fly traps up, which seem to get a massive amount of them but not stop them.

I've tried switching to sweet PDZ to see if it helps, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Would DE do anything in this instance? Any advice?

 

[aart]

Would DE do anything in this instance?

Probably not.
Coarse wood chippings, like from a tree trimmer, will help absorb the excess rain water as well as break down the poops.

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[TOPChickens14]

Hey all. I have this issue every once in a while and wanted some advice.

I'll go months without seeing a single fly in my duck pen, and then there will be 2-3 days of rain and flies will absolutely take over the yard.

I clean constantly, replace the hay, and don't leave out any excess food. I have 3 large fly traps up, which seem to get a massive amount of them but not stop them.

I've tried switching to sweet PDZ to see if it helps, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Would DE do anything in this instance? Any advice?

I don't have any experience with ducks but with chickens. In the warm time of the year, my coop has a lot of flies in it. I tried traps last year and they were worth it. There were just too many flies. They totally caught flies but there were just too many. I think I'll have to deal with it. I do have a suggestion for you though. Watch the video I linked and follow what she says. I haven't had to do this but people say it works. Also dumping wood chips as aart said would be a good idea.

 

[aart]

Watch the video I linked

Not seeing this @TOPChickens14 ?

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Probably not.
Coarse wood chippings, like from a tree trimmer, will help absorb the excess rain water as well as break down the poops.

Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 3104349

Thank you for your response! I'm in Florida (I added it to my profile).

I currently have a mom and ducklings, would the shavings still be safe to put down? I don't want the babies ingesting any.

 

[aart]

would the shavings still be safe to put down? I don't want the babies ingesting any.

Not shavings.

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Not shavings.

Oh, I see what you mean. Alright, thank you!

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Well, I figured out the issue. A wild Muscovy laid a nest in the garden behind the main coop and left the eggs and they are getting very rotten.

Have no way to get back there since it's fenced off so gonna have to figure out a way to climb or jump into that area and get all the rotten eggs .

 

[aart]

Well, I figured out the issue. A wild Muscovy laid a nest in the garden behind the main coop and left the eggs and they are getting very rotten.

Have no way to get back there since it's fenced off so gonna have to figure out a way to climb or jump into that area and get all the rotten eggs .

Gross, but glad you found the source.
A 'garden' you don't have access too, is it your property?

 

[RosemaryDuck]

Gross, but glad you found the source.
A 'garden' you don't have access too, is it your property?

It was originally a garden, but when I placed the coop and set up fencing I sectioned it off and kind of forgot about it since I couldn't get into it. It has some large cactus and elephant ears that grow wild.

I'm guessing she flew over the fence and was trying to set up a nest there but either died or abandoned it.