Effective House Fly Control Strategies for Poultry Operators
House flies are one of the most persistent pests in poultry operations, capable of spreading up to 65 different diseases. They thrive in manure and organic material, creating a significant risk for farmers. In particular, flies that come into contact with excrement can transmit Salmonella enteritis (S.e.), one of the leading bacterial causes of food-borne illness in the United States. Since shell eggs are a primary source of human S.e. infections, effective fly control is essential for poultry farmers.
To help poultry operators manage house fly populations, implementing a comprehensive monitoring and control program is crucial. Here’s a guide to monitoring methods and effective fly control solutions to ensure a healthier environment for your poultry operation.
Monitoring Fly Populations
Monitoring house fly populations is the first step in an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. Poultry farmers can assess infestation levels and take necessary action by tracking fly activity. Below are three key monitoring methods:
1. Speck Card Method
Speck cards are 3-inch by 5-inch white index cards placed on fly-resting surfaces, particularly in heavily soiled areas.
- Place one speck card per 1,000 square feet in at least five locations per poultry house.
- After seven days, collect the cards and count the number of specks made by flies.
- An index of 50 specks or fewer per card indicates satisfactory fly control.
2. Fixed Method
This method involves using sticky traps in designated locations throughout the poultry house.
- Hang fly ribbons or sticks in the front, center, and rear of the house.
- After seven days, count the trapped flies.
- If the weekly count is 50 flies or fewer per trap, fly control is considered effective.
3. Moving Method
This method involves walking through the poultry house while using sticky traps to gauge fly populations.
- Use fly ribbons or sticks while walking along an inside walkway of the poultry house.
- Cover approximately 1,000 feet or two rows over five minutes.
- A count of 75 flies per tape suggests effective fly management.
House Fly Control Solutions
Once fly populations are monitored, employing effective control methods is the next step. A combination of traps, baits, and sprays can help reduce fly numbers significantly.
Chemical Baits & Sprays
Chemical baits attract and control adult house flies by luring them away from poultry and their feed.
- QuikStrike® Fly Bait – Uses Dinotefuran, which has no known resistance, for quick knockdown.
- Golden Malrin® Fly Bait – Contains Methomyl, making it highly effective when rotated with QuikStrike®.
- Cyanarox® Insecticidal Bait - Can be used both indoors and outdoors to kill house flies
- DuraStrike® Fly Bait - With the active ingredient, Indoxacarb, DuraStrike® Fly Scatter Bait provides control of house flies.
- QuikStrike® Fly Abatement Strips – Pre-baited strips placed in poultry houses lures and kill flies efficiently.
- QuikStrike® Fly Bait Spray – Apply to walls, window sills, and posts to target hard-to-reach areas.
- Aviator® Fly Bait Aerosol - A ready to use effective fly control for hard-to-reach places or where a traditional scatter bait cannot be placed.
Traps
Fly traps provide a high-impact method of reducing fly populations.
- Sticky Traps – Bright-colored adhesive traps that attract and trap flies effectively.
- Jug Traps – Large containers with attractants that lure flies inside and prevent escape.
By implementing a combination of monitoring techniques and control solutions, poultry operators can effectively manage house fly populations and reduce the risks associated with fly-borne diseases. Regular monitoring using speck cards, sticky traps, and moving inspections will help track fly activity, while chemical baits, sprays, and traps will provide targeted control.
