Fly Control |
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The Keys To Successful Fly Control |
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Key # 3: Sanitation, Sanitation, Sanitation |
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Sanitation is the mainstay to fly control. Finding and eliminating breeding places is an important first step. The major fly breeding areas at feedlots and dairies are around bunks where feed spills, under fences, along mounds, in poorly drained basins or any other place where spilled feed or manure accumulations are allowed to become moist. It seems there is always an explosion in the fly population shortly after a summer rainstorm. Calf housing areas are often heavily bedded with straw and cleaned out on an infrequent basis. Because of this, calf pens are one of the main sites for fly breeding. To evaluate calf pens, producers are encouraged to look at the bedding to see if there are maggots, which are flies in larval form. The best spots to check are around the water and along the fence edges. These areas are moist and get little traffic from the calves. If larvae are found, rid the area of manure. Freestall housing and loafing sheds can also be fly breeding areas if manure is allowed to accumulate. Cleanliness is perhaps the most important tool to control troublesome flies. Some local producers are reporting impressive results with methods of biological control. This technique of managing pests, while reducing reliance on pesticides, is a method that deserves greater use. Beneficial parasitic wasps are available locally for those who have an interest in pursuing this method of control. Most agricultural producers take a great deal of pride in their operations and produce quality agricultural products. Since we live at our places of business, we certainly don’t want flies moving from our barns to our homes. Local agricultural suppliers and professional applicators have products that will help in effective control. A combination of physical, chemical and biological control methods will help reduce fly populations to an acceptable level. |
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