A Natural Way to Control your Flies … Using NIC’c Fly parasites programs
NIC’s fly parasites are unique because they are suited to our northern environment and the control of flies on farms or wherever flies are an issue. Flies have developed a resistance to traditional fly controls such as pesticides. There is no known resistance to the use of fly parasites. Fly parasites are safe, non-toxic, effective control for flies.
Fly Parasites
NIC’s fly parasites are a mixture of Muscidifurx raptor and Muscidifurax raptorelles. All species are reared in New York State and M. raptor is well suited to cooler climates in North America where we experience snowy winters. The parasites are very effective against houseflies, biting stable and lesser houseflies (95% of flies in manure) as well as horn, horse, bot, flesh, face and false stable flies.
These tiny wasps are the size of a fruit fly. They do not sting, bite or bother people or animals. Fly parasites work at night searching for holes within the manure where fly maggots burrow to pupate. The parasites will lay an egg inside the fly maggot pupae, killing the pest fly. Less bad guys means more good guys!
How it Works: Within 21 days a new adult parasite wasp will hatch out of the parasitized fly pupae and the cycle will start again. The parasites complete their life cycle in 3-4 weeks where the fly cycle is complete in 7 days; therefore it is necessary to release the parasites weekly or bi-weekly to keep ahead of the flies.
From the top of the pile: Parasites are best able to find fly pupae if the depth of the manure is relatively shallow.
When is the best time to start a program: At the first sign of flies a program should begin and it will continue until the first frost.
Where to release: Wasps are shipped in paper bags as parasitized fly pupae mixed with wood shavings. Hold the bags at room temperature until you start to see the tiny wasps walking inside the bag then release immediately. Sprinkle parasites with the wood shavings around edges where moisture, manure, urine and food may have accumulated. Release in places where the parasites will not be crushed or trampled by animals, such as at the edge of pens and paddocks or under food and water stations. For chickens, scratch a ½” hole in the ground and drop in a tablespoon of sawdust and pupae mixture and cover with dirt, manure or straw. This prevents the birds from eating the fly parasites before they hatch. Once dispersed the wasps will continue to hatch over 1-2 weeks.
The use of fly parasites fits into an integrated approach to fly management. This approach also includes:
- Daily/weekly manure management
- Fly maggot control
- Adult fly control
Manure Management
Daily/weekly removal and spreading of manure disrupts the fly life-cycle and prevents new adults from emerging in and around the barn. Manure removal from the barn on a regular basis will help eliminate flies. If manure is stored in a pile leave the pile until after first frost but be sure to have it removed before flies appear in the spring. Disturbing the pile in summer creates an ideal breeding area for flies. Release fly parasites in corner areas of a barn or lean-to, leave a small amount of manure in those areas for fly parasite release.
Maggot Control
Wet areas around water troughs and moist areas along the edges of spilled feed or manure piles are prime sites for growing fly maggots. Beneficial nematodes, a microscopic worm that kills pest larvae including fly maggots can be applied in the areas where maggots are present. Nematodes enter fly maggots and kill them within 48 – 72 hours. Beneficial nematodes are safe for people, pets and plants and are compatible for use with a fly parasite program.
From the Top of the Pile: Under optimum conditions with no natural enemies a 2 ft2 (0.06m2) areas of moist organic materials can generate 10,000 flies in 2 weeks.
Adult Fly Control
Sticky paper, tapes or ribbons and bait traps will help reduce the adult fly population without hurting the natural enemies. Traps that are available:
- Big bag fly trap – can catch 1,000’s of adult flies.
- Advantage fly trap with fly banquet
- Solar fly trap placed by the manure pile.
- Giant fly glue boards
- Stick roll system for barns.
The more aspects used to kill and trap flies the faster and better the control.
From the Top of the Pile: For each fly trapped you stop a potential of 2, 400 new flies!
FREE customized fly parasite programs:
We are happy to develop a fly parasite program customized to your needs. To provide a customized fly parasite program we require some specific information. Please answer the following questions and we will create your unique fly parasite plan.
- Type of farm?
- Number of barns and barn size?
- Are your animals in barns all of the time, at night, in winter or only in pastures?
- Number of animals and types including any young that may be born during the season?
- How often is the manure removed (daily, weekly or monthly)?
- Is the manure stored, if yes, where is it stored? How often is it removed?
- Are you using any type of trapping system, such as bait stations or sticky tape?
- Are you using any type of chemical fly controls?
- Where and when are your major fly outbreaks?
- Your full name, the farm name and address including fire numbers, directions (if needed) and phone numbers.
Prepaid Fly Season Orders:
10% discount on full season prepaid orders.
Tell us how we are doing. During the fly season we will contact you to see if you have any questions.
