How I kill massive amounts of flies without chemicals, etc...

[RaeRae2]

Will fly predators even work when you have chickens? Won't the chickens just eat the "predators" that eat the fly eggs?? I have heard from various other horse people that fly predators are only marginally effective, and only work on a few types of flies. But I don't have any firsthand experience.

 

[clogan98]

I don't really know. The breeder I just got my last chick from told me to use them. She said it helps tremendously. She does have horses on her property but when I went to Spalding Labs website I entered in I only had 5 chickens and it calculated I needed like 20,000 fly predators. That just seriously freaked me out. I'd love to get a zapper but I didn't think flys were attracted to them.

 

[Quahog]

I have green bottle flies I trap them by the hundreds by putting a piece of fish or meat in a trash can. When it is loaded with flies I just close up the bag and throw it away. Sure some fly out when I 'm closing it but the majority get trapped.

 

[Mister Toad]

We used to use 5 gallon buckets with a little hole in the top, you put meat or other bait in the bucket, the flies go in the small hole easily because the smell of rotting meat but can't find their way back out.

 

[clogan98]

The book The Small Scale Poultry Flock had a section on the bucket method. But he called it protein from thin air. He'd put a beaver carcass in the bucket, put holes in the bottom so when the flies laid eggs, the larvae would drop down through the holes and the chickens would eat them. He only had a few die from botulism once or twice. ***? Sorry, I'm not THAT off the grid. I'd rather start a mealworm farm.

 

[Mavrik]

I like that, a shop vac. Some other interesting ideas too. But I don't see why someone would want to put something smelly in their coop or put bugs in to take care of bugs. The best thing about my zapper (or store bought) is I don't have to do a thing (I have it on a timer), it doesn't smell, endless CLEAN killing power and it will last for years without maintenance. I found fly strips catch allot, but don't last long because the dust from the chickens scratching neutralize the stickiness.

 

[Nailedinny]

Thanks so much for your help. I am giving it a go. I bought the the you linked at Home Depot and have it in the garage with the doors down to try and kill all the flies in theres. I could not get a Florescent lamp bulb for it. It comes with a uv. Any other suggestions??
Susan

 

[Mrwinchester]

check this thread out.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/368487/flies-no-more-found-the-perfect-fly-repellent

 

[Nailedinny]

Thanks for the tip. I will try anything. The bug zapper did not work at all!! Not even dusk or dawn. These flies are bothering all of my neighbors as well. Ever since the farmer plowed his field.

 

[Kassaundra]

check this thread out.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/368487/flies-no-more-found-the-perfect-fly-repellent

I tried the vanilla scented car fresheners, they haven't worked for me.