Tips To Banish Barn Flies

Warmer weather is approaching and with that comes the pesky flies that torment your livestock. Flies are not only annoying, they also spread diseases that can lead to digestive and growth problems for your livestock. Some of the conditions flies cause and diseases they transmit include summer sores, eye worms, pigeon fever, equine infectious anemia virus and onchocerciasis. To prepare for battle, here are some tips that will help you reduce the number of irritating barn flies in and around your barn.

Proper Manure Disposal

It is important to keep your stalls clean on a daily basis. The less manure you have on your property, the fewer flies you will have to contend with. However, if it is not an option to remove the manure off the property, consider spreading thin layers over your fields with a manure spreader. Spreading the manure out in a thin layer will help it to dry out faster and reduces the environment for egg laying flies. If you use a composting pile, make sure that you are piling it up and not out. When you pile up the manure, the increased heat will make it too hot for flies to lay eggs.

Keep Stalls Dry

Keeping stalls dry is another method in reducing barn flies. By replacing stall bedding, you eliminate the moist environment that flies prefer when laying eggs. You also need to make sure that your stall mats are completely dry before replacing bedding.

Traps And Sprays

Consider utilizing traps and sprays as a way to combat barn flies. There are two different types of fly traps. One that attracts visually and one that attracts using odor. Make sure you place the traps away from the barn area because the goal is to lure the flies away from the barn area. Another effective method is to use premise sprays. These sprays will knock down existing flies and deter new ones from entering.

Using these tips can greatly reduce annoying flies in and around your barn and will make time spent outdoors more enjoyable for you and your livestock. You might also want to consider speaking to your vet or using multiple methods together if flies persist. For more information contact us and we will be happy to help.