A L I C E  W A T T

S U M M E R   F L Y   C O N T R O L

Anyone who has or lives near animals knows the damage and irritation caused when the flies hatch. If you’ve ever seen what flies can do to a dog’s ears, you know they are more than just a nuisance. Although there are numerous pesticides that can help control these pests, many of us believe polluting our environment with more poisons is not the best answer and may cause more harm in the long run.

Nature has provided a solution which can be highly successful in controlling the fly population. There are tiny flying insects who live in or near animal manure and eat the fly larvae (maggots). These “Fly Predators” do not bother the animals, plants, or people. By consuming the flies before they hatch, they stop the next generation before it can reproduce.

I started using Fly Predators about three years ago, and the reduction in flies was amazing. I have had almost none in my house, yard, or kennel since then, My neighbor has two horses whose pasture is next to my dog yard, and I order enough fly predators to control the population attracted by the horses as well as the dogs.

There are several companies who sell fly predators, and they can be found by Googling on line. I use Spalding Labs. Each spring I put in my order for the summer. Each month starting in May through September they send me a package of wood shavings and pupae. When the bugs start crawling around in the package, I spread the shavings around the perimeter of my kennel. The package has a clear plastic front so I can see when they are ready without opening the package and getting them in the house. I order the smallest amount, 5000 per package, and it seems to be enough to do the job. Bigger operations can order larger sized packages. It is necessary to treat the entire area, not just one spot. In August they send two packages as that is the month when flies are most active and obnoxious. It costs me about $115.00, including shipping, for my fly control for the entire summer.

Additional information can be found at www.fly-predators.com .