Fly predators

[Deleted]

Not just for sheep, but didn't see another board more appropriate to post this on.  I got my first shipment of the year today.  If you have a problem and have considered these before but not ordered, I highly recommend them.  Last year was horrendous for flies here.  Never seen anything like it.  I ordered last year for the first time out of sheer desperation.  Now I wish I'd started using them long, long ago.  The results were pretty astounding.  Here's how they ship them (but also inside a cardboard box).  





Once they start hatching inside the plastic bag, you can sprinkle them where there is waste hay or other rotting organic matter. Or if you have a lot of ants or need them in an area where a lot of birds or chickens frequent, you can just open the bag and place it somewhere close to the problem area and they will fly out of it. The predators lay their eggs in fly eggs and their larvae eat the fly larvae.  They're the size of a tiny gnat and hover at around 3-4 inches off the ground.  If you didn't look extremely hard for them you wouldn't know they were there.  

Spalding asks a bunch of questions on their website in order to come up with a plan for you.  Number of head of all your different livestock, your location, etc.  if you don't like their plan, just call them and order what you want.  Lots of great Q&A on their website as well so you can know what to expect.  

[bergere]

At my Farm in WA state, I used them for years, every year. No more flies.... would forget,, go to someone else's farm.. and get buried in their flies. yuck..

So here, I am using a double batch (because of the cattle across the street), have to do something. Like you, last year, was horrible for flies. They do work, they do take a few months... but its worth it!

Also bought a Horse Fly trap, those are really, really bad here.

[Bear Foot Farm]

I hear Muscovy Ducks are the best "fly traps" and they are quite tasty too

[claytonpiano]

My Khaki Campbells are pretty good as well!

[bergere]

I had ducks the last two places I lived. But not here and not until I can afford to put up a Duck house.

Though have to admit, I still used the Fly predators.... with excellent results.