Help!! Black Flies... what do I do?????

[DucksnDaffodils]

Please!! I am in desperate need of advice. 2 years ago I lost my first beloved ducks, to black flies. They were alive and happy one minute then went into shock and died. I was heart broken. Last year I got ducks again, but didn't have a problem because of the warm weather.

Well this year, the black flies are back! and one of my runners, and my Buff Hen are looking droopy. When I checked the runner he had 5-6 black flies around his neck. They had been sucking blood. I DO NOT want to lose by ducks again. So WHAT DO I DO?????? When I looked it up, they say to bring them inside, unfortunately that is not an option. Their houses are back by a running stream and pond. Would it help to bring them up by the front of the house, as far away from the water as possible???? And what about the ones which are already infected, what can I give them?

If anyone has ANY ideas it would be SO appreciated I am scared right now, and fresh out of any plans. Thank you so much for any help!

 

[Going Quackers]

I have never heard of this? We have some baby black flies around with our warm spell but my ducks just eat them. Do they have a shelter you could put them in?

 

[DucksnDaffodils]

Black flies are also known as Buffalo gnats, if that is confusing anyone. I too had never heard of black flies until my ducks got killed 2 years ago. Then I looked it up, and they say that black flies come with lots of water, and in moderate temperature, and that they carry diseases, and their saliva can make the Ducks go into toxic shock and die.
The ducks all have houses, that I shut them in at night. But other wise no shelters. Right now I am planning on moving them up next to the house (about an acre away from the stream) picking all the black flies that are one them off, and possibly putting some essential oil around their necks, and then putting fencing around their houses and keeping them up here until I figure something else out, or the black flies move on. They won't be happy but I don't know what else to do! (they usually stay for only 2-4 weeks, or until it gets to hot, or the water dries up) If any one has any other ideas, I would be SO appreciative.

 

[Going Quackers]

I truly don't other than agreeing with moving them, honestly not heard of this. I am near a lake but we're talking under 10mins, their is a river here too but again i am several acres away from it so my ducks only have access to kiddy pools no natural bodies of water.

Hopefully, someone can chime in with knowledge on this.

 

[DucksnDaffodils]

Thanks for the support anyways. And yes, anyone else have to deal with this?

Right now the duck houses are moved, the ducks cleaned sprayed, and put to bed. We will see what tomorrow brings.

Thanks again Going Quackers!

 

[desertdarlene]

I don't have a solution for the problem except I hope they're going to be OK. I'm glad you were able to move their housing and clean things up. Are these very small flies? Is there any way to maybe put some kind of mosquito netting around the living area, or would that restrict ventilation? We don't want to stop the flies but have them suffocate.

 

[DucksnDaffodils]

They are a very small fly, like a large gnat. Nasty little buggers! But the mosquito netting is an idea. I will have to look into that. Praying that they are all alright tomorrow morning when I open them, and we will go from there. I will try putting some immune boosters in their water, and look into the mosquito netting.

Thanks!

 

[SD Bird Lady]

Did you spray them with mosquito/fly spray? It will have to be reapplied often due to the nature of water fowl but should help. I have no experience I just read it in this article: http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is1861.pdf

 

[DucksnDaffodils]

Did you spray them with mosquito/fly spray? It will have to be reapplied often due to the nature of water fowl but should help. I have no experience I just read it in this article: http://msucares.com/pubs/infosheets/is1861.pdf

I sprayed them with some natural bug spray last night before I shut them up, and will see if I can re-apply it today.

Also, I let them out this morning, and..... they are all alive!!! SO relieved! And I got an egg from all of my layers, so they can't be feeling too bad right? At the moment they are to interested in the new grass and stuff in their pens to be upset about not being able to get to the pond... for now.

Thanks again, I will keep you updated!

 

[OldGuy43]

I don't know about black flies, but Little Trees Vanillaroma (Yep, the car air fresheners.) gets rid of most of the flying insects around here.