DE for fly control?

GBov · #1 03/22/12, 11:17 AM

I have a bag of food grade DE and now, how do I use it for fly control? Feed it to the chickens and rabbits? Or spread it round the runs?

How do y'all use it?

chickenista · #2 03/22/12, 11:29 AM

Spread it around the runs!
You will see a reduction in flies very soon.
I sprinkle it on the areas where the flies are most active... under feed troughs and under roosts and in the area around the door where everyone wants to hang out all the time.

pancho · #3 03/22/12, 12:27 PM

My tragopan pheasants developed lung problems when I sprinkled DE around.

Bearfootfarm · #4 03/22/12, 12:27 PM

Unless you are seeing maggots, the flies aren't being produced there, but merely attracted.

Anything that will quickly dry up droppings and reduce odor will result in fewer flies

Spreading DE in uncovered runs can be wasteful, since it won't kill the flies unless it's dry

Spreadiing pelletized lime will have nearly the same effects, and is a lot cheaper

GBov · #5 03/22/12, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bearfootfarm

Unless you are seeing maggots, the flies aren't being produced there, but merely attracted.

Anything that will quickly dry up droppings and reduce odor will result in fewer flies

Spreading DE in uncovered runs can be wasteful, since it won't kill the flies unless it's dry

Spreadiing pelletized lime will have nearly the same effects, and is a lot cheaper

Will the chickens not eat the lime pellets?

Have cleaned out the big cage but under the rabbit cages is always damp and thick with hay and droppings. The chickens scratch it up pretty good but the flies are here by the billions!

chickenista · #6 03/22/12, 07:03 PM

Seriously.
The DE sprinkled around makes a huge difference.
I wouldn't suggest it if it didn't work well for me.

GBov · #7 03/22/12, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickenista

Seriously.
The DE sprinkled around makes a huge difference.
I wouldn't suggest it if it didn't work well for me.

I have sprinkled it round in several places and cleaned several more. When the wind dies down I will put it in a few more places. ANYTHING that will help get rid of the pesterferus (my spell check is still awol

) critters is a good thing!

And yes, I will be careful of the animals so they dont breath it!

Bearfootfarm · #8 03/22/12, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Will the chickens not eat the lime pellets?

Pelletized lime is Calcium Carbonate, just like Oyster shell.
It's just limestone, and they probably won't eat it anyway.

Pine shavings will also absorb moisture and kill the odor too.
The flies are attracted to the smell, and once the droppings are dry, most of the odor is gone

DE will absorb moisture too, but costs more than other options that are less hazardous

WstTxLady · #9 03/22/12, 10:42 PM

i use sulfur dust a lot & it helps keep out flying pests in the coop. i use DE before i put down new straw & in the nest boxes as well as applying directly to the birds for mites/lice.