FLIES, FLIES & FREAKING FLIES!

[Ccort]

I've had a Captivating trap up and while it's caught some, it's not even enough to tell a difference.

 

[Kelster65]

Somewhere on this site I read that the vanilla scented tree type hanging thingies repel flies. I thought probably not, but this this summer the flies got very annoying in our coop and covered run. We didn't get the fly predators this year, which we should have. So, three hanging 'trees', at doorways, not right where the birds roost, and 95% fewer flies in there! Love it, I'm sold on the results.
Mary

I tried those too and it worked. I bought a lot of 24 on Amazon and keep them hanging around the food buckets in the run. I have to remember to change them periodically. The Irish spring soap bars smelled great for a minute but not sure if it drove flies away.

 

[Ccort]

I tried those too and it worked. I bought a lot of 24 on Amazon and keep them hanging around the food buckets in the run. I have to remember to change them periodically. The Irish spring soap bars smelled great for a minute but not sure if it drove flies away.

I tried those too and it worked. I bought a lot of 24 on Amazon and keep them hanging around the food buckets in the run. I have to remember to change them periodically. The Irish spring soap bars smelled great for a minute but not sure if it drove flies away.

Are you guys talking about the car air freshener trees?

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, and I dislike them in the car, too strong. But hanging at doorways at the coop, not obnoxious, and seem effective.
Mary

 

[Kelster65]

Are you guys talking about the car air freshener trees?

Yes.. they're called vanillaroma I think. They last a few weeks if they don't get wet. They don't keep all the flies away but they do work and it smells nice. I use crumbles right now since they're still young and flies like the kicked out food. I clean it but it's near impossible to get it all up.

 

[David61]

This isn't dangerous to animals?

lol No, its what you put on animals to get rid of lice, mites, fleas... Multi million dollar race horse stables use it to control flies. No egg holding after spraying chickens for mites. Mix as directed and be done with your flies.

 

[Chicken poppy]

Copy and pasting what i said in another thread:

I use fly traps honestly. Obviously, something that can’t harm my chickens.

I like homemade fly traps with bottles because its simple and easy. The chickens can’t get to them and they won’t harm the chickens whatsoever. Also why i frequently clean my chickens coop and pick food up when my chickens are sleeping.





For the fly traps i use, i usually follow this:

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Also, if anyone tries this: Do not put it in somewhere like the coop, and regularly swap it out.



If you put it in the coop, #1. The smell is unbearable. Rotten fruit mixed with dead flies? No thank you. Put it high, secured well, out of reach of children/animals, and where you can’t smell it walking by. Trust me, been there done that.



#2. These tend to attract more flies, and if your goal is to rid them from the coop, your not gonna have much luck by putting them IN where you want them OUT. Put them somewhat near it, just enough to get the ones traveling by and not bring more into your coop.

Apologies, the photo didn‘t work correctly. This is the photo i meant to have up there.

 

[Aksarben Farms]

We have a backyard coop, the girls are allowed to free range. There is so many FLIES. What the heck do I do! Someone save my sanity!

Several things. First your husband is correct. It is the chickens, the poop and scratching. It is ok though this is what all of us go through. First you need to attack it from different angles.

Traps Traps Traps. There are many out there.

Most commonly bought trap that works. It works well but the drawback is once it is full it is done and you need to buy another. No reusing these. Plus it is never just one needed.

These are ranch flytraps. Reusable, work well but you need to create your own bait and need to empty them. It takes a bit to figure them out but once you do they work great! Personally I use citrus rinds and rotten bananas. I also add in a small amount of chicken and duck feed as these things are what attracts the flies in the first place along with the poo from our feathered friends.

Diatomaceous earth. Now this is used in different ways for similar reasons. Me personally I simply sprinkle it on the ground where they scratch and poop. It helps to keep flies and mites away especially when you work with the other things I have mentioned.

Grass clippings. When you mow bag it. Spread it around especially where the chickens are scratching and free ranging. This will help to absorb the poo and make it easier to rake up every two weeks to a month. Then simply trash it, burn it or even compost it.

Last and one of the more fun and in my opinion, best ways to help with flies.

Ducks, more specifically Muscovy Ducks. These guys are really good at foraging and getting flies, mosquitoes and other bugs that annoy us. They also get their larvae. One or two of these guys really help long term. You HAVE to let them forage though. Do not over feed or over treat them or they can get lazy.



Hopefully these ideas help and at least one or two will work for you.

 

[AGeese]

Flies tend to be here in varying strengths depending on the weather. I bought a solar trap it was so bad one year, but this year I really didn't need to set it up. I sticky traps that I hang over the coups and stick to the windows. I also tried some parasitic wasps, but just didn't have enough of them to make a dent.