Here are a few tips for more effective fly control around Poultry Operations.
There are numerous studies that confirm that flies are a major nuisance and result in lower productivity seriously affecting your profits whether you run a broiler, hatchery or egg operation. However the good news is that flies can be managed just like you manage every other element of your operation and we believe that using Fly Parasites for fly control can increase you profits (due to increased productivity) much more that the cost of the program.
Furthermore, important but not financial benefits of using Fly Parasites include the health concerns of using chemical pesticides and a generally more pleasant environment to live in.
a. Start Early in the Cycle with Scheduled Releases
It is much easier and more cost effective to prevent a build up in the fly population than to try and control an established problem. The best time to start your fly control program is normally about two weeks after the introduction of new birds. For all poultry operations, it is recommended that scheduled releases of Fly Parasites are on a two week interval. This is because most barns are kept around 20C. The developmental cycle (egg to adult) of most flies at this temperature is about two weeks, and this schedule will provide effective control. Releases of Fly Parasites should continue until about 2-4 weeks before the birds are removed.
Fly Parasites can introduced any time, however if there is a well established fly problem, the initial number of Fly Parasites will need to be greater than normal and the length of time to attain control may be longer than normal.
b. Release an Adequate Number of Fly Parasites
The number of Fly Parasites that need to be released for effective fly control varies from farm to farm depending on sanitation practices, and moisture in manure. If the barns or pits are scraped regularly, the number of Fly Parasites will decrease; if there are low wet areas of the pit, then additional Fly Parasites will be required; and if pit fans are in place, the number of Fly Parasites can be reduced.
A starting point for a typical poultry operation is about 3-5 Fly Parasites per bird every two weeks. This would have to increase slightly when pullets are being fed a high protein mixture which results in a very rich manure with a high moisture content-the prefect breeding environment for flies.
c. How and Where to Release Fly Parasites
Just open the package of Fly Parasites and sprinkle in the pits along the edges of the walkways or through the slats along the walls. If the manure is regularly removed and held outside, then spread directly onto the manure piles or wind rows. We at Goodbugs.ca will recommend a customized program for your operation.
a. Reducing Moisture
Install pit fans wherever possible and fix as many leaking nipples as possible. Both these suggestions will reduce the moisture in the manure and significantly reduce fly reproduction. Try to drain any low areas that are in the pits, even if they are seasonal.
b. Remove the Manure from the Site
If the barns are regularly scraped, then hauling manure during the warmer months every two weeks is an excellent option. The manure should be taken at least 800 meters (or 1/2 mile) from the barns. In most Canadian regions, the majority of flies take about two weeks to develop from egg to adult, however this time can be shorter if there are very warm conditions (+ 25 C). If frequent hauling is not practical, then the manure can be treated with Fly Parasites.
c. Pile in One Location
An effective method of reducing fly reproduction is to pile all the manure in one location. The single pile will reduce surface area for the flies to breed and the heat generated within the manure pile is too hot for flies to survive except for the top 15-20 cm (6-8 inches). It is interesting to note that Fly Parasites have adapted to burrow about 15-20 cm into manure searching for fly pupae. Many farmers have found that covering a manure pile with black plastic increases the temperature within the pile and reduces the surface area available for flies to land on and breed.
d. Spreading Manure
Flies require a moisture content of 35-70% to reproduce. If you are in an area that has prolonged dry spells, spreading your manure thinly over the fields and pastures is another option. The danger with this option is that if it rains before the manure dries, you are increasing the surface area for flies to breed. Many farmers wait until the cooler months when flies are not a problem to spread their manure.
Fly Parasites will effectively kill developing flies, however they do not attack adult flies. Whether these adult flies originated from your farm or if they migrated to your farm, the effect is the same; they will bother your birds and lay eggs. If you reduce the adult flies, you reduce the number of eggs laid and the Fly Parasites will more effectively attack the developing flies.
Fly traps, fly baits and sticky tapes (and some contact sprays that are used on ceilings and walls) are all excellent methods to knock down adult flies. Fly Parasites are not attracted to any of the baits, traps or tapes, however we do not recommend aerosol or fogging chemical sprays as these will have a detrimental effect on the Fly Parasites.
We strongly recommend using a method that targets adult flies as part of your fly control program.
Please contact us for a NO OBLIGATION discussion on a customized fly control program (1-888-668-7264). We are not after a fast sell, but rather we hope to have a long-term satisfied customer.
Our business has grown across Canada virtually by word of mouth and we welcome all inquiries. Our commitment to you is to create the BEST, MOST ECONOMICAL AND LONG-TERM BIOLOGICAL FLY CONTROL PROGRAM.
