I'll die with a blackfly picking my bones....

[Nugget]

in Noooova Scotia....

Wow, the blackflies are so bad! We bought our home 3 years ago unaware that we wouldn't be able to step outdoors for half the year. Thick swarms of biting blackflies from May to November. We got a Mosquito Magnet last year that may have made a difference but they're in full force again this spring. It's been running a week so far and we've had to empty it twice (full of blackflies). We use bug jackets and deep woods off if we have to do anything outdoors but they're still annoying.

And I think they're bothering the chickens too... they're always shaking their heads and snapping at the flies but I don't think they're eating many.

To those of you who live amidst TOO MANY blackflies, what do you do? I want to put a mesh dome over my whole 3 acres!!!

...And the blackflies, the little blackflies
Always the blackfly no matter where you go
I'll die with the blackfly a Pickin' my bones
In North Ontar-i-o-i-o, I mean Noooova Scotia...

 

[Ericasl]

Sorry that sounds awful.

 

[rooster-red]

I couldn't handle an enviroment like that, It would just drive me crazy!

 

[smom1976]

maybe if you have one mosquito magnet that is working hard get another or maybe two.. and then I herd DE works on flys too.

 

[tx_dane_mom]

GOd that's awful. The fly traps from Tractor supply/Home Depot really work well here.

 

[Nugget]

We're thinking of getting another mosquito magnet but they're overpriced. Maybe keep an eye out for a second hand one or something...

What kinf of fly traps are you talking about Dane mom?

We are going to get a screened gazebo. Soon I hope!

 

[momto2]

I know where you are coming from. Here in northern Maine we call blackflies our state bird. We have a fire place outside and burn wood and grass to make smoke. That makes most of them stay away, but I don't know about anything that gets rid of them 100%!!!!!

 

[highmountainchick]

I know this might sound crazy, but have every considered getting a few muscovy ducks? I read an article about the ducks being used in Africa to wipe out flys in the area, I guess they are very effective at it.

 

[Nugget]

The ducks must need to be kept in the water that the flies are breeding in wouldn't they? We back onto forest and deeper in are countless lakes and rivers where I'm sure the flies are coming from.

The Mosquito Magent attracts these little warbler type birds that sit on it, and dart around eating the flies that are drawn to it. If we only had more birds and magents

Well, maybe I'll get a little fire going next time I'm outdoors. It can't hurt! Sorry you're dealing with them too Momto2, but at the same time, misery loves company

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Muscovies aren't really "water" ducks, from what I've read. The two swedish ducks on my place don't even play in the fish ponds, they prefer the yellow kiddie pool that the animals drink out of!

However, muscovies make great pest control especially with flies!