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  Discussion on Anyone use fly predators?
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Member:
Srobert

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 9:34 am:

Oh, how I love the summers in Pennsylvania - but Oh how I HATE the flies!!!

I was given a brochure for something called "fly predators." Basically, they are a small flightless insects that feed on fly larvae. They are shipped to you on a monthyly schedule and you sprinkle them at the pupa stage on manure piles, organic matter, etc. The brochure does not promise to eliminate all flies (I like that there are no wild promises made)but does suggest that the fly population around your barn/stable can be substantially reduced.

I like the idea of reducing my pesticide use, but I would like to know if anyone has used this method and their results. Thanks!
Member:
Eoeo

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 9:59 am:

They do work. They are best in confined areas, pens, stalls, barns and such. Out in the pasture it if a little difficult. EO
Member:
DeeDrOtt

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 10:16 am:

I tried the predators on our 10 acre farm when we had 8 - 10 horses and again when we moved to our current farm 30 acres with 20 - 25 horses. I found NO advantage to these - tried for 3 years
What I did find that works with absolutly no chemicals is the "Horse Pal fly trap" @ www.bitingflies.com - Not only can you use them by the barn and pastures I also have them by the
house. Makes a BIG difference. Our neighbor has horses and cows and across the street from us is a 4 square mile game preserve. We have had people come to the farm and cannot believe we do not have many flies. (Now we are not fly free - just a great reduction in the population) The initial expense is a bit high but they last a long time. I have 8 installed and in the winter I take the jar wash and store, and cover the unit with a tarp and in the spring I just need to uncover, put on the jar and I can start my fly protection as early as April. I also use the mosquito traps
and they help also - because they catch not only mosquitos but also bees and other bugs. I have been using both for over 5 years and very Happy with the results. The horses are happier too. Now using these does not eliminate pasture maintenance (we drag the pastures at least once a month)Many of our horses stay out 24/7 and we may spray them every other week. Just my opinion but worth a try.
Dee - Borderline Farm - North Branch, MI
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 10:27 am:

I think they help a lot. Infact, I started putting them around the house in the flower beds etc. because the house was having more flies than the barn area. I just wish my neighbors would also use them (or something!) In dry areas, which we live in, we have to make sure the ground is kept dampish until they hatch, and we also have to be careful about when we set them out. Sometimes they are sent to us a little too early; our weather is extremely unpredictable and you have to be sure they don't freeze. The first year you use them, you might not see a lot of difference, but each year there are more and more of them and the difference they make increases proportionately.
Member:
Marroon

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 10:42 am:

DrO. & everyone, I read about this too and wondered if it really worked. Sounds like it does make a difference. But....would really like to know how Dr.O feels about the whole issue of the ecosystem and what the long-term outcome is of this type of fly management. Not that I haven't been really impressed with everyones comments on it! Sure is nice to read about those of you who have used it as I know you all have much more experience than I! :-)
Member:
Dres

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 10:51 am:

I am going to give it a try this year, we have 5 acres with 5 horses on it now... BUT, we have cattle farmers all around us... the test will be tough... The horse pal above, does not attract face flies, that is the main problem here in California....


On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with SPOTS..
Member:
Marroon

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 11:03 am:

and on the third day he sent my husband to work to pay for them. LOL
Member:
DeeDrOtt

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 1:36 pm:

I just want to mention that the if cost is an issue (as with me and my growing horse family - added another one this morning) the Horse Pal fly trap is the best buy - the predators get expensive and actually you need to use more than what is suggested and if they come early you have to keep them in a special place until they hatch and if you forget about them then they are no good. Also, there is more than one application per year. If you use any fly sprays near or around them they die- also if you put them out too early and it gets cold their done and you have to order more - just to me a nuisance. The Horse Pal actually collects any flying insect - I find all kinds of flying ( "things") in the jar. It's suprising what it catches. It does not know the variation of flys. If the fly (whatever breed it is) will bother a person it will be caught, Once anything gets in the trap - it has no where to go but up and be caught. There is a variety of flys, bees, crawling things and those big things that look like flying daddy long legs. I am a very satisfied customer and would recommend this to anyone - in the long run its much much more cost effective, and easier to use. Once up that's it up for years.
Member:
Bethyg2

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 2:36 pm:

Hi- I use fly predators- the ones from Spaulding (Spalding?) labs out in California- they DO work, it's incredible. I've never tried the other companies, but I have very few flies where I used to have thousands. They recommend putting out 5000 bugs a month for my 3 horses, but I double that, and do it every three weeks. It works for us, and here in Florida the flies can get pretty terrible. Oh, give it a good month and a half before you see real results. -Beth G
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 5:24 pm:

For more discussions on fly predators run a search on the discussions we have many experiences.
DrO
Member:
Mrose

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 11:02 pm:

IMO it takes a multi-facited approach to control flies, at least where we live. We use preditors in pens and runs,fly traps in the barns and in some outside areas, fly masks, fly spray...anything we can think of to cut down on flies. We also drag our pastures and clean stalls and pens at least once a day. They really aren't too bad here since we've been so diligent, but I HATE flies!! It's been such a wet winter I'm concerned about mosquitos and gnats too this year. YucK! I try to use as much natural stuff as possible due to all my own allergies.
Member:
Brandi

Posted on Thursday, Mar 31, 2005 - 6:55 pm:

I used spaulding labs fly predators for 5 years and just this year I switched to Arbico after doing some research. Apparently Arbico "grows" their own predators, Spaulding and some others purchase from another major supplier. Arbico is a better deal, with a more thorough approach, IMO. Our fly season starts very early here in N California, and though it will get much worse, I am positive that Arbico's shorted cycle and greater quantity are making a big impact in our population. I have not even bothered setting up my automatic spray system in the barn yet, and the only spraying I've done of the horses is for mosquitoes and ticks. When I do use the automatic system, I use only natural pyrethin which has a short duration, so by the end of the day when I clean stalls and dump it on the manure pile, very little kill-power is left. At least that is my theory and the sum total of my management seems to be working well for me. I do not have other livestock in my area, so for that I am lucky. I do, though, live smack in the middle of a city residential neighborhood, so my fly-control measures must be impeccable to maintain my "neighbor in good standing" status. Nearby residents compliment me on the fact that the flies are not a noticable problem for them.
Good luck.
Member:
Srobert

Posted on Saturday, Apr 2, 2005 - 3:50 pm:

Thanks for all your comments and insights!
New Member:
Pepette

Posted on Thursday, Feb 2, 2006 - 6:53 pm:

They work if they are used properly. Just be aware that if you have people working for you and you give them the responsibility for fly control, they might not implement the control. We tried fly predators, we found them still in the box dead. We tried a fly spray system, and were told it was broken. The real answer was that the staff wanted the boarders and owner to believe that the horses had to be kept outside because the flies were too bad inside...less work for them because the stalls stayed clean.

Bottom line is, they worked when they were actually spread and managed properly (read the instructions and do not remove the whole manure pile each time). Do it yourself, though. It's too expensive to waste them.
Member:
npo33901

Posted on Sunday, Jul 12, 2009 - 6:31 pm:

Anyone can remember Discussion, about flies and a Site where pictures and description of flies were shown. ?! Thank you .
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Sunday, Jul 12, 2009 - 9:12 pm:

Hello Fame, check out Diseases of Horses » Skin Diseases, Wounds, and Swellings » Hair and Coat Problems / Itching / Irritated Skin where you will find several articles on the different types of flies and their identification.
DrO
Member:
zarr

Posted on Sunday, Jul 12, 2009 - 9:47 pm:

Fame I've used them for years.Not 100% but around 85% effective.Two years ago a wildfire swept thru our area and the manure pile caught on fire.Those fly predators that weren't burnt DrOwned when the fireman put out the fire.We really really noticed a difference.My husband no longer makes grump noises when I order each year!
Member:
famous

Posted on Monday, Jul 13, 2009 - 6:27 am:

I am using fly predators now and find them to be wonderful in the barn and run in shed. I can bring the horses in and remove their fly masks with no bother from flies. Out in the pasture is a different story. I would probably have to order many more for out there. The Rescue Fly Traps also work great in the chicken pen and other areas. }
Member:
npo33901

Posted on Monday, Jul 13, 2009 - 7:56 am:

Dr O. I've went through most of the articles already. I am trying to get the one - not so long ago somebody sent Article - and it was fantastic !! I am so sorry I didn't keep it . . It described and showed different flies, in real and enlarged version/size. I was not at my printer and now I cannot find it.........But thank you for advise - will dig again .
Fame/AM
Member:
npo33901

Posted on Monday, Jul 13, 2009 - 8:02 am:

Lucky girl , Lora, that you have chickens.. get good eggs - not the supermarket watery things.... Girls, I'll research it with my hub. what to get and where. I may come later with some questions . Lately my horses are suffering . We have sheep/goat farmer above us and as he is increasing his flock, the number of flies is also higher . Thanks. AM
Member:
majoda92

Posted on Monday, Jul 13, 2009 - 8:15 am:

I tried the fly predators for a couple of years, but found them expensive and not very effective. We are thinking about getting a few chickens to see if they help by eating the fly maggots. If nothing else, at least we will get fresh eggs!
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Jul 13, 2009 - 8:41 am:

Fame those images are in those articles I reference above.
DrO
Member:
lucyc1

Posted on Monday, Jul 13, 2009 - 8:51 am:

I have thought about using fly predators for several years. Until this year we have been able to maintain pretty good control just by keeping the barn clean and using fly bait. This year is much wetter, and the flies are much worse. I have been told that the predators are only effective if you begin at the beginning of the fly season. We are in the height of the season. Does anyone know if it might be worth the expense of starting now? Thanks for any help!
Member:
famous

Posted on Monday, Jul 13, 2009 - 10:07 am:

I read in the fly predator literature that it is best to start with them at the beginning of the season.
Member:
hpyhaulr

Posted on Monday, Jul 13, 2009 - 9:42 pm:

I am on my third season of predators. I get a full colony every 3 weeks. I have 3 big'uns, a donkey, 2 minis,4 cats and 4 dogs on just less than 5 acres. Some flies, but not bad all in all. Local horse people who come here are surprised at how few flies I have here. Early morning clean up is helpful. I use fly traps, the predators and this is my first season in 3 years not using a feed through. I wanted to see what was giving me the best results, and honestly, I can't tell you the difference last year to this year in terms of fly population except I am spending a LOT less on fly control without the Simplifly. I went to visit a local barn in the spring and early summer this year and the flies were insane!
I do broadcast the predators around the manure pile as well as the barn and pasture. I got started a bit late this year as it was very late to warm up,and pretty dry after a wet spring. My lush pasture lasted about a month. I broadcast my 3rd delivery tonight.
Member:
dsibley

Posted on Tuesday, Jul 14, 2009 - 6:53 am:

I have been using predators for three years now. I see a huge difference between my barn and others. You have to help the little guys out; if there is a period of high humidity or rain, it is best to order an extra shipment. Yes, they are expensive, but so is all that fly spray!
Member:
npo33901

Posted on Wednesday, Jul 15, 2009 - 9:42 am:

Thanks for answers about fly predators . We are no in the Summer season - but I will try anyway.....We must figure out where and which we shall get - we are living in the North of Portugal . Hope it will be possible to get it in Europe OR have it shipped over the Ocean . Thanks .
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