The FLIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Ema]

Well I thought the vanilla air freshener was a crazy loonie idea, really really!! But behind my skepticism I bought a couple packages and put 2 in the chicks new coop and a couple in the barn...I went from having about a gazillion flies to......just a couple here and there. So proves what I know ehhh!!!! I will Never again judge until I try it, lol!!

Ema

 

[Mac in Wisco]

We have 2500 hens in a small poultry barn with a deep litter system, we also have a compost pile where I compost large amounts of cracked eggs, manure, and the occasional dead bird, all mixed with straw. I also stack large amounts of manure toward the back of the property to be spread on crops. The past two summers the flies would become unbearable as we got into the dog days of summer. We never really notice them in the barn by the hens, but the egg packing room and the house would become inundated.

This year we are trying fly predators from http://www.spalding-labs.com/ . They are tiny, gnat sized parasitic wasps that kill the fly larvae before they hatch. They do not sting people, nor become pests themselves, but are supposed to help cut down on fly populations. The company sends a monthly shipment throughout the summer. I first spread them in mid-May, and just spread a second batch that came in the mail today. So far, so good. I haven't noticed very many flies at all this season, but can't remember just how bad the the flies were in June last year. We have had good rainfall with temps in the high 70's and low 80's with one bout of weather to 100 F, but it may still be too early in the fly season to really tell if they are effective. So far they seem to be working, but we'll see how it goes as the summer progresses.

 

[TarainNC]

I have been using DE in the coop and run and also some of the fly traps. The traps seem to be getting really full of the flies, but I can't stand the smell. THe coop doesn't smell, but those traps sure do! I think I will get some air fresheners just to counter act the stinky flytraps,lol. I bought mine at Lowe's. I have heard that flies are just really bad this year. This is our first year with chickens. I usually have to fight the mosquitos. I have not noticed those as much this year.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

Quote:
You're supposed to place the stinky fly traps where you want the flies to go, not where they are.

 

[stilldeb]

I put six vanilla air fresheners out yesterday, three on my coops and three around my patio because we are having a Father's Day BBQ today (if these darned thunderstorms will clear outta here!)...and not only did the flies go away, but my yard smells lovely!

deb g

 

[Heathero617]

Running out today to buy some airfreshners in bulk!!! My coop is clean, my run is super clean and still the flies. Im a skeptic on the air freshers thing, but i'm willing to try them, gonna hang some in my house too since my screen door is broken i've been invaded and my house lookes like the Amityville house with all the danged flies! If nothing else, it will smell nice around here LOL

 

[Peterh005]

I just spray the Walls, shavings and perch with strong fly reppelant, it works really well and oats for about 3 weeks