Topic of the Week - Fly Strike

[Kiki]

Is it the one with the baby?

Yes.

 

[Sapphire02]

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. With that in mind, the best practice is to stay ahead of the game. However, sometimes conditions and circumstances are such that major fly hatches will occur. For example, we've had a particularly wet Spring here in Georgia, and moisture plus chicken poop equals FLIES! (How's that for chicken math?!)

When my best efforts fall short, and when I have a huge fly hatch, I mix a 5-gram scoop of Bayer Tempo Ultra WP into a 1-gallon pump sprayer and spray for a quick knockdown because I don't want adult flies hanging around, laying eggs, and compounding the problem. On the good side, Tempo is relatively safe to use around chickens and inside coops and pens, and it is biodegradable and quickly degrades. For example, I always mix it fresh when I use it because it loses half its strength within a few days. In other words, it's safe to use indoors and outdoors. On the downside, Tempo will take out some beneficial insects including honeybees, and it can harm fish if used around a pond or fish tank. If you do decide to use this product, please READ THE DIRECTIONS first before using. It's a great product for me, but it may not be the best for you.

A longer-term preventative is to use garden lime (NOT hydrated lime) in the coops, runs and bedding areas. Just about any feed store will carry garden lime, and it's very inexpensive (For example, a 50# sack runs about $3). Fly larvae need an acidic soil or medium in order to thrive. Garden lime will change the pH of the medium to more alkali on the pH scale, and thus, a less hospitable environment for fly larvae to develop. BTW, garden lime is harmless to chickens, and many of your plants will love it.

 

[Sapphire02]

Would this product be safe to use in my bunny yard? I have to comb the bunnies every night to get the fly eggs out. They are on advantix multi, but would love to get rid of the flies. My concern is they eat the grass and the spray would be eaten too.

 

[Kiki]

I would never treat grass, that would be eaten, with chemicals.

 

[aart]

Would this product be safe to use in my bunny yard? I have to comb the bunnies every night to get the fly eggs out. They are on advantix multi, but would love to get rid of the flies. My concern is they eat the grass and the spray would be eaten too.

Might ask here....https://www.backyardherds.com/#rabbits.78

 

[brucifer]

Would this product be safe to use in my bunny yard? I have to comb the bunnies every night to get the fly eggs out. They are on advantix multi, but would love to get rid of the flies. My concern is they eat the grass and the spray would be eaten too.

Tempo degrades quickly and is safe to use around humans and pets IF THE DIRECTIONS ARE FOLLOWED. If you've ever had a professional spot spray inside your home, apartment, etc., there is a good possibility that Tempo was used. I use it as a fly knockdown if flies get out of hand. I wish I never had to use any chemicals, but sometimes doing so becomes necessary. Flies are vectors and carriers of diseases, so IMHO, getting rid of a fly outbreak is the lesser of the two evils.

Personally, I think a quarantine isn't necessary, but if you're concerned about residual Tempo being ingested by your rabbits, you can set up a quarantine. The way I would treat a bunny yard is to divide the yard into sections, and treat one section at a time. Keep the section quarantined for a couple of days. After the quarantine period, allow the bunnies to roam and enjoy the that section, and spray and quarantine a new section. Better yet, if you could treat the entire bunny yard and keep the rabbits in pens for a few days, that would be ideal. Tempo degrades so quickly that you need to make a fresh batch each time you use it.

The active ingredient in Tempo Ultra WP is beta-Cyfluthrin, which is NOT a carcinogen. However, the product is listed on California's carcinogen health-safety list, not because of the active ingredient, but rather because of the quartz (silica), a mineral, that is used in the product.

Here is the Material Safety Data Sheet on the product which includes safety testing on rabbits, rats, and guinea pigs:
http://www.allpest.com/labels/tempo-ultra-wp-msds.pdf

Just to restate clearly, I would have no problem using this product around rabbits, but you have to make your own informed decision. Best of luck.

 

[ChiefSuperFly]

Yes!! I just used two types of shampoo and a hot shower. Lots of friction did the trick and all squeaky clean!

I've had fly strips catch my arm so I can imagine how bad it was to get stuck to your hair.

We're you able to get glue off without cutting it?

I

 

[cwdresmker]

In the past I've lost 2 hens to fly strike, now I use preventative measures to ensure that it never happens again.
I use fly traps purchased at the local hardware store to catch the heathens and when the girls get "nasty butt" they get a.....Spa Day!! I have to say that my Buff LOVES getting her bath, therefore I think she purposely gets nasty!!!
I use a wood smoker and save those ashes for their dirt baths. Several years ago I read an article about using old tires, partially buried, for them to take their dirt baths--I mix dirt, wood ash and sand.
As well as, keeping the coop clean and using lime have kept my girls safe.
BOY...after writing this all down I realize just how spoiled my girls really are!!!

 

[Crazy Mama]

I was worried about Fly Strike with 2 of my Cornish, because they were nasty, so they got a nice bath, (their first one) and they absolutely loved it, and they were clean with no signs of wounds, made my day! I absolutely hate fly strips, I use the hanging fly traps with the attractant inside and it works wonderfully.

 

[Crazy Mama]

Thank you for the information its very appreciated.

Everything turned out fine, my girls are good, and I went to Orschelins to get Garden Lime and they tell me there was a recall about 3 months ago and they haven't gotten any in since so I will look into the Prolap for a preventative measure. Thanks for the info.