Understanding IPM (Integrated Pest
Management) for the Biological Control of Flies
All IPM programs are comprised of three
components and the most effective Fly Control is
attained if all the components are utilized. To achieve
this, first there must be some understanding of the
behaviour and reproduction requirements of flies. All
flies need food (manure or compost, etc), moisture and
heat to reproduce. Keep these requirements in mind as
you read through each of the IPM control methods below
and you will understand how each methods contributes to
the overall control of your fly problem.
Cultural or Mechanical Controls:
Use good sanitation practices. How
manure is handled is one of the greatest contributors to
a fly population and sound sanitation practices are a
key factor in eliminating favourable conditions for fly
reproduction.
The most obvious method of manure management is to
regularly clean out barns, stables and paddocks and pile
manure in one location. This reduces surface area for
flies to breed and the internal heat generated in manure
piles causes fly larvae to move towards the surface. The
closer to the surface, the more vulnerable the fly
larvae will be to predation and parasitization.
Another excellent method of handling manure during the
dry season is to spread it thinly over fields. The
manure will dry out quickly and if there is no moisture
(or even reduced moisture) the flies cannot reproduce.
Remember that the fly life cycle is about 14 days so the
manure should be dried out before that time or you are
just increasing the surface area for breeding and
compounding the problem.
If manure in confined areas (eg. barns) cannot be
removed for extended periods, install ventilation fans
and try to establish a dry crust on the manure. As flies
require moisture to breed in, this will decrease the
acceptable medium for fly reproduction.
Make sure all other areas around the barn and paddocks
are as dry as possible. Repair all leaking water lines
and try to reduce any wet areas, as these are natural
breeding grounds.
All of the above actions will help reduce the fly
population originating from your property, however it
must be recognized that some flies will migrate in from
nearby farms. The use of flytraps or fly strips will
help in reducing the number of adult flies that can
reproduce.
Biological Controls:
Use scheduled releases of Fly Parasites
as part of your IPM program. Fly parasites eliminate
developing fly larvae. The reduction in emerging flies
is critical in breaking the reproduction cycle. The
smaller the number of adults that hatch out, the fewer
adults to lay eggs, the fewer larvae to parasitize, and
your fly problem is greatly reduced.
Anyone who has used Fly Parasites, will attest to the
fact that it is easier to prevent an increase in the
number of flies than to get control of an well
established fly population. The reason for this is
simple. Flies lay more eggs and have shorter life cycles
than Fly Parasites. If the problem is attacked early,
the fly parasites have fewer pupae to attack, therefore
they do a better job and fewer adults hatch out
resulting in fewer eggs being laid.
 Fly Parasites also can be used to control established
fly populations; it just requires an increased initial
introduction of Fly Parasites and a slightly longer time
period before an acceptable control is evident.
Beneficial nematodes have been also proven to reduce fly
populations. They work in a similar fashion to Fly
Parasites in that they attack the fly larvae (maggot)
and kill the developing fly. As with the Fly Parasites,
this break in the life cycle dramatically reduces the
adult fly population. Nematodes can successfully be used
to supplement a Fly Parasite program.
Nematodes are very small round worms
that naturally occur in the soil and compost. Just mix
the package of nematodes with water and spread over
manure piles, manure pits or any other area where
maggots are present. The nematodes enter the fly maggot
and emit bacteria that kill the maggots within 48 hours.
It is recommended tht nematodes be released outdoors
after the last frost in the spring, mid summer and again
in late September. For indoor commercial operations, a
release every two or three months is advised for best
results.
We have formulated a mixture of
Steinernema and Heterorhabiditis sp. Specifically for
the most effective control of flies found around barns.
We can customize a mixture for larger commercial uses.
Beneficial nematodes are a very inexpensive and
effective supplement to your fly parasite program.
Other biological controls which will further reduce the
fly population include installing nesting boxes for
swallows and martins. Spiders are a great control for
most flying insects.
Chemical Control:
Adult fly populations consist of flies that hatch out on
the property and those that emigrate from neighbouring
properties. While it is possible to introduce an
effective fly control program on a property, it is not
possible to control emigration of neighbouring flies and
it is imperative that these adults be reduced for a
long-term solution.
Using fly baits, along with the flytraps, are excellent
methods to knock down the adult population of flies. Fly
baits, as opposed to chemical sprays, are localized and
target only flies and do not interfere with biological
control programs. Chemical sprays and fogs however will
kill most flying insects and have a negative influence
on the fly parasites. As with all chemical treatments,
the flies will become immune to fly bait over time so it
is best to rotate between a number of different baits
for the most effective long term solution.
The fly baits will reduce the adult population, thus
reducing the number of females able to lay eggs and
fewer larvae/pupae will develop. The fly parasites will
now have fewer developing flies to control and the fly
population will be reduced to acceptable levels. As with
the fly parasites, the reproductive cycle is
interrupted.
Summary
There is no known method to eradicate
flies. The goal of an effective fly control program is
to achieve a reduction in the fly population to a level
that is acceptable to each person. Some individuals will
have a very low tolerance of flies and will incorporate
very aggressive fly control programs. Others may accept
a higher concentration of flies and reduce the effort to
control fly population. Whatever the tolerance level of
each individual, the most effective strategy of fly
control is the use of a combination of fly parasites to
kill the emerging flies and fly traps/baits to knock
down the adult flies. Utilization of this two-pronged
approach, coupled with an effective manure-handling
program should provide excellent cost effective fly
control without the need to use chemical sprays.
Please call us for a no obligation discussion on a
customized fly control program. We are not after a fast
sell, but rather we hope to have a long-term satisfied
customer. Our business has grown across Canada virtually by
word of mouth and we welcome all enquires. Our commitment to
you is to create the BEST, MOST ECONOMICAL AND LONG-TERM
BIOLOGICAL FLY CONTROL PROGRAM
|
