Fly Control in the Poultry House:

Fly control should be an integral part of every poultry producer’s management program. Flies spread disease and filth, are a nuisance to employees, and can become problems for nearby farms and residences. As the number of producers decrease and the size of remaining poultry operations increase, larger units may provide the opportunity for flies to concentrate and therefore create even larger problems.

Species of Flies

Several different species of flies may be found around broiler farms and laying houses in Oklahoma. The most common of these species are the little house fly (Fannia species) and the house fly (Musca domestica). In addition to these species, soldier flies, blow flies, black garbage flies, and stable flies may be present, however, they are not usually included in a control program for poultry operations.

Breeding Characteristics

 The little house fly is smaller than the house fly, however, the size difference is difficult to distinguish. Breeding sites for the little house fly are drier than for the house fly and poultry manure is preferred over most other materials. This fly prefers shade and cooler temperatures and even circles aimlessly beneath hanging objects in the poultry house, egg room, and feed room. The little house fly is less likely to crawl on people and food than is the house fly. lt is, however, usually the fly that causes the most complaints from residents near the poultry farm. Large numbers of these flies may gather in garages, breezeways, and homes because of their preference for shade. The house fly is known to breed in many types of organic material such as decaying plant material, spilled grain and feed, and in all kinds of animal manure. ln caged layer houses the manure is a very good location for breeding. In houses where sanitation is poor and where water spills keep the manure moist, fly breeding may especially be a problem. The house fly prefers sunlight and is a very active fly, which crawls over filth, people, and food. Because of these habits it is the most important species from the standpoint of spreading human and poultry diseases and fly-specking eggs.

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