How to Control Flies on the Farm

Fly control is an important topic around many farms. They may be small, but flies are a big problem if not addressed properly through a combination of farm management techniques and fly-control products. Known as one of the largest nuisances on a farm or outdoors, flies will harass both you and your livestock non-stop until something is done. Another reason to control flies on the farm is to prevent the spread of disease. As temperatures continue to rise, so do the number of flies as they tend to thrive in moist, warm environments. Follow this article for helpful advice on how to control flies on the farm this season.

            The most natural way to address your fly problem is to implement aggressive manure management techniques. Manure is a simple fact of life when you have animals and livestock. If you have a host of different animals, make sure you and your fellow workers' frequently clean barns and stables and dispose of the manure appropriately. Flies thrive off fresh manure and the longer it sits, the more time there is for flies to lay eggs and complete a lifecycle. The math is simple: less manure, fewer flies. However, since manure is such a hot commodity for both flies and farmers to grow their crops or fertilize their pasture, be sure to dispose of it in a designated area that’s close enough for any farm hands to access, but far enough to keep flies from bothering you and your animals. Another good tip to control flies is to reduce the number of fly larvae by introducing fly predators. Fly predators or parasitic wasps as they are sometimes called add an extra line of defense against flies on your farm without bothering you or your animals. These predators attack flies by laying eggs inside fly pupae, thereby terminating the flies before they can even hatch. Research has shown that using a combination of parasitic wasps and efficient manure disposal can reduce the population of flies on your farm by up to 50 percent. Talk to your local agricultural supply vendor about ordering a bag of predator pupae to use and add relief to your farm environment. The last suggestion to adequately controlling flies on the farm is using fly-control products such as flypaper, traps, and misters. Flypaper is among the oldest products available to reduce flies in your barn and still a leading choice among many farmers. Traps are great a catching adult flies and are designed to trap both stable and house fly species. House flies are trapped by using a unique odor while stable flies are trapped using a more visual technique. Both have their merits and should be used properly at various sites on your property to effectively reduce the number of flies. An insecticide is also a great option, but keep in mind where you use it as it can also hurt the efforts of your fly predators.

Don’t wait until the last minute to start the process of controlling flies around your farm and stop the nuisance before it begins.  July is among the worse months so be prepared to battle the flies using a combination of the three tips highlighted above. Proper farm management and vigilance is the key to winning the war and giving your livestock the healthy environment needs to thrive.