USING DIATOMACEOUS EARTH FOR FLIES IN DUCK COOP

[Swiegand]

Been battling flies in the ducks coop & space. Tried just about everything. Today I decided to use diatomaceous earth in hopes that it will resolve the fly problem. After stirring the straw bedding, I sprinkled that shit everywhere! I'm wondering how quickly I should see results? How often should I use it? Any advice helps.

I plan to sprinkle it generously directly on the ground and on top of the bedding next time I do a deep cleaning of the coop which will be next week.

 

[MACCanadianCoop]

@Overo Mare

 

[Painted Calls]

I honestly don't see flies rolling in it. DE doesn't really do anything for bugs that can't fly and get away from it. I don't see it doing anything at all for flies.

 

[ruthhope]

I honestly don't see flies rolling in it. DE doesn't really do anything for bugs that can't fly and get away from it. I don't see it doing anything at all for flies.

If the flies are breeding in the coop bedding, then DE will kill the maggots and reduce the number of adult flies indirectly

 

[Painted Calls]

If the flies are breeding in the coop bedding, then DE will kill the maggots and reduce the number of adult flies indirectly

If flies are breeding in the coop bedding, I think that cleaning more often may be higher on the list of necessary things.

BSFs could definitely make a home for maggots in the coop though. I initially always think of face flies as I live on a cattle farm and that's what I deal with.

 

[Swiegand]

If flies are breeding in the coop bedding, I think that cleaning more often may be higher on the list of necessary things.

BSFs could definitely make a home for maggots in the coop though. I initially always think of face flies as I live on a cattle farm and that's what I deal with.

Yeah DE hasn't really seemed to make a difference. I just ordered fly predators so we'll see.

 

[ruthhope]

If flies are breeding in the coop bedding, I think that cleaning more often may be higher on the list of necessary things.

BSFs could definitely make a home for maggots in the coop though. I initially always think of face flies as I live on a cattle farm and that's what I deal with.

I've seen grubs in deep litter -- not as slim and wriggly as BSF maggots that I welcome in my composter. They actually reminded me of wax moth grubs that I get periodically in my bee hives. My ducks love having the wax moth grubs and puppae to eat, and so I assumed the ducks will eat grubs in their litter.

I have also seen green flies in my son's coop that wasn't unhygienic and didn't smell. The flies seemed to be attracted to the damp around the feeding bowl and I put down a layer of pine shavings over the damp and the flies dispersed. But I wonder if the green flies are related to the grubs in the litter

 

[Painted Calls]

Yeah DE hasn't really seemed to make a difference. I just ordered fly predators so we'll see.

I've heard really good things about those!

 

[addctd2plnts]

Yeah DE hasn't really seemed to make a difference. I just ordered fly predators so we'll see.

Fly predators take a good while to make a difference. I've used them and think honestly that they take several years to truly impact the flies. The cost was insane for a farm. A bottle of Tempo SC Ultra is around $41 and lasts me all summer! It's safe for ducks/chickens, although I wouldn't spray it on wet bedding. I always clean out all the bedding, remove food and water and spray in the morning when the ducks are outside for the day. Spray every surface, inside and outside the coop. It knocks the flies down for 10 days to 2 weeks.

 

[Swiegand]

I've heard really good things about those!

Fingers crossed!!