Looking for advice on "Fly Eliminators"

[Donna Lynn]

Hello all,

I have recently moved to the mountains in California and find the flies a truly annoying problem. I receive various catalogs on animal products and saw a biological product called "Arbico Fly Eliminators." Apparently, this is a miniscule parasitic type wasp that lays eggs in fly pupae thus destroying the life cycle.

This product talks about horses and other livestock but I'm wondering if it's safe for my girls? It isn't very expensive and I'm thinking of ordering some. Any input?

Donna

 

[BlueMoonFarm]

I have been using the fly predators from Arbico Organics for about 10 years in my horse barn/pasture. They really do make a huge difference in the fly population. I would not want to go without them! The predator wasps (which are TINY) are shipped in the pupae stage. You sprinkle them wherever flies are laying eggs (manure pile, surrounding area, etc).

While they are not at all harmful to chickens, you will need to take care where you sprinkle the pupae so the chickens don't eat them before they have had an opportunity to emerge...birds find them a tasty snack. When I sprinkle them around the barn, I bury them a couple inches down in the manure pile or kick shavings over them in the barn to protect them from "regular" birds. I haven't moved my chicks out to the coop yet, but my plan is to sprinkle them around the outside of the run vs. directly inside it.

 

[chfite]

I use one of the fly traps that are the plastic bag to which you add water. (Black Flag Disposable Fly Trap) I keep it in the garage about 50 feet from the run. The flies hang out there, slowly going into the bag to die. It seems to help a lot.

Chris

 

[JackE]

Here you go, try something a lot cheaper that works.
Jack

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/382037/vanilla-fly-controll

 

[Jay-Mar28]

Muscovy ducks will destroy a good fly population

 

[Donna Lynn]

Thanks all! I appreciate the ideas. Donna

 

[Donna Lynn]

Jay,
If I wanted to add ducks to my animal population, it would be ducks! But...I think my husband might commit hairy carey! LOL

 

[Abbys Egg Farm]

I use a combination of the diatomaceous earth in the hens feed and the fly predators. If the adult flies are too many at first using predators I use some traps till the predators can catch up. Here is a link to how they work from Spaulding Labs the one that I obtain my predators from.
https://www.spalding-labs.com/produ..._for_horses/m/fly_control_for_horses/313.aspx

 

[Folly's place]

I've been very happy with the fly predators from Spalding Labs. This year I failed to order them, and there's been a big difference; not in a good way. Mary

 

[Folly's place]

I've been very happy with the fly predators from Spalding Labs. This year I failed to order them, and there's been a big difference; not in a good way. Mary