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Flies pose a health risk for humans and poultry. They are carriers of Salmonella, Pasteurella, Campylobacter and E. Coli which have a negative effect on poultry flocks and farm personnel. The speed of fly reproduction can vary depending on environmental conditions such as warmth, moisture and food sources, but it is not uncommon to have 5 - 6 generations during a single summer breeding season.
The key to avoiding fly infestations is managing water and moisture in the litter. Farms which keep dry litter rarely experience serious fly infestations.
A successful fly control program ensures moisture is controlled within the house and fly breeding sites are eliminated. Insecticides can help to provide temporary reductions in fly populations but cannot be the only method of effective fly management.
Use an integrated fly management program involving techniques such as:
1) Sanitation is the first measure of defence against flies in the poultry house.
Whenever possible feed, litter, broken eggs and mortalities on which flies lay their eggs must be removed.
Litter remaining on the farm should be managed so that it remains dry and friable.
Litter removed at depletion should not be stored on the farm or spread on land adjacent to the farm. It must be removed with a trailer covered in a tarpaulin to a distance of at least 3.2 km (2 miles) away from the farm and disposed of in accordance with government regulations.
Feed spills should be cleared up immediately.
Flock mortalities should be removed from the house as soon as they are discovered.
Any broken eggs from the breeder house should be removed immediately to prevent attracting flies.
2) Flies can also be excluded from the house with the use of screens or fans.
Extraction fans that direct an outward airflow will prevent flies from entering the house.
Screens should be placed in entrance doors, windows and inlets.
1) Insecticides are an effective method of reducing initial fly burden and are a key component of a good biosecurity program.
Insecticide baits typically consist of a mixture of insecticide, sugar and pheromone attractants. There are two types of insecticide used in the poultry industry residual and non-residual.
2) Larvicides are also an effective method of chemical fly control.
Larvicides control only the fly larvae and are usually applied as a spray or distribution of granules on the manure beneath the slats in the breeder house or directly onto litter in the broiler houses. Some things to consider when applying larvicides are:
3) Use insecticide products in rotation
Hanging fly paper with adhesive
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