Tailored Solutions for Common Fly Control Problems

Published on Thu, 04/14/2022 - 1:49pm

Tailored Solutions for Common Fly Control Problems.

 Article provided by Central Life Sciences.

 Fly control on a dairy operation can feel like an overwhelming task. There are a number of different areas that need to be treated and maintained to protect your animals, employees and bottom line. From proper sanitation practices to learning the different fly behaviors at every level of an operation, our team has created a list of the most common fly control problems and their tailored solutions so that you can protect your operation from disease-spreading fly populations.

Problem: Flies in calf hutches
Solution: Manure management

Proper manure management will go a long way in the fight against flies in calf hutches. As the primary food source and breeding site for flies, improperly managed manure can cause fly populations to increase in a hurry. House flies, stable flies, face flies and horn flies develop in and emerge from the manure of livestock, where flies lay their eggs. To control fly populations, manure management must be consistent and timely within an integrated pest management (IPM) program.
Integrated Pest Management is a pest control strategy that uses an array of complementary methods, such as natural predators and parasites, pest-resistant varieties and more. It’s an ecological approach that can significantly reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides.

Problem: Flies resting in ceilings, attics & rafters
Solution: Starbar® sticky fly traps

After feeding, flies tend to rest up high in the cooler regions of barns, stables, and other out buildings. This is where products like Starbar® sticky traps come in handy. Hang your sticky traps high in the rafters, joists or angled ceiling of your barn, out of reach of people and livestock. Starbar® also offers fly bait products that can be used near animals. The Starbar® Fly Bait Station can prevent your animals and pets from ingesting scattered bait and features a built-in tray to catch dead flies.  

Problem: Flies mating on walls, fences & corrals
Solution: Starbar® odor & pheromone traps

In between feeding and resting, flies use the high levels of walls, fences and corrals to breed. It’s important to catch them before they move on to lay their eggs in the manure around your dairy. Odor and pheromone traps have the power to lure flies away from your livestock and provide quick and effective control. Products including the Starbar® Captivator® Fly Trap come complete with a water-soluble attractant pouch that flies can’t resist. This heavy-duty, reusable two -quart plastic jug trap is economically priced and delivers top-notch protection. For best results, hang these traps along fence lines or near calf hutches. Short walls and shelves in barns, stables and other out buildings are also ideal spots for these odor and pheromone traps.

Problem: Flies feeding on floors, ledges, gates & off the ground
Solution: Regular sanitation

After resting up high, flies come near the ground level to begin feeding. House flies feed freely on human food, fresh animal waste and rotting garbage. Be sure to clean these food sources regularly and start implementing fly bait and traps for complete control. Starbar® fly traps deliver coverage from the floor to the ceiling to meet your unique needs. Each trap is designed to address specific fly behaviors at each level.

Low-level Coverage
Starbar Bite Free™ Stable Fly Traps are scientifically proven to help trap flies that feed on animals.

Medium-level Coverage
The Starbar Fly Terminator® Pro Fly Trap is a large capacity, one-gallon jug trap that can trap thousands of flies and is easy to hang thanks to a sturdy handle. The Starbar® Fly Trap Attractant Refill is an exclusive formula containing four different attractants flies can’t resist to lure them in. Starbar® also offers a disposable fly trap recommended for perimeter use around rural residences, barns and other application sites. These disposable bag traps are easy to use and come with a built-in attractant.

Starbar® even offers its Milk Jugg Trap™, which turns ordinary plastic milk jugs into economical, effective fly traps. These traps come with two escape-proof plastic tops and attractants. All you have to do is add water, add the attractant, pop the top, and you’re ready to trap.

High-level Coverage
The Starbar® EZ Trap® Fly Trap offers a unique compact design that can be used indoors and outdoors with no harmful chemicals. It’s insecticide free and odor free. Starbar Lure Fly™ Fly Catchers are super-sticky fly ribbons that can be hung anywhere and provide low-maintenance, cost-effective fly control. Finally, Starbar®  Fly Stik™ Sticky Fly Traps are insecticide and odor free and come in a slim design so they’re easy to hang.

Problem: Flies living on-animal, pasture, crops, standing water & structures
Solution: ClariFly® Larvicide

When a fly infestation hits a dairy, populations will quickly spread throughout the property. From barns to pasture, and even applications directly to your herd— a successful fly control plan relies on treating all of these areas. To hit flies directly where they develop and drastically reduce fly populations, use a feed-through fly control product like ClariFly® Larvicide. Unlike conventional insecticides that attack the nervous system of insects, ClariFly® Larvicide works by interrupting the fly’s life cycle, rather than through direct toxicity. When mixed into cattle feed, ClariFly® Larvicide passes through the digestive system and into the manure where flies lay their eggs. The active ingredient then takes care of the rest. To extend control to the whole herd, use a feed-through product for your calves as well— reducing fly populations around calf hutches. Using ClariFly® Add-Pack in whole milk or milk replacer helps increase calf comfort and decrease the spread of disease.

ClariFly® Larvicide also comes with minimal risk of residue in milk. The metabolism in the active ingredient has been extensively studied in dairy cattle. Metabolism studies in dairy cows showed no detectable levels of the active ingredient residues in milk when dosed up to 28 days. In studies of dairy cows, only very low levels of the active ingredient were occasionally seen in liver, kidney, fat and muscle. Therefore, there are no withdrawal requirements when using ClariFly® Larvicide.

ClariFly® Larvicide is a simple, cost-effective form of fly control that requires very minimal additional effort and allows you to continue what you are already doing- feeding your animals.