Flies can quickly become a serious problem in stables, barns and other animal buildings. Warm conditions, manure, damp bedding and animal feed provide the shelter and organic material that many common fly species need to reproduce.
A successful stable fly-control programme needs to address both adult flies and the areas where they breed. Sticky fly traps can capture large numbers of adult flies, but cleaning, waste management and correct placement are equally important for lasting control.
WHY FLIES ARE ATTRACTED TO STABLES AND BARNS
Animal buildings provide flies with warmth, moisture, food and shelter. Potential breeding materials can include:
- Manure and soiled bedding
- Spilt or damp animal feed
- Standing water and leaking drinkers
- Decaying straw and vegetation
- Dirty drains and waste-storage areas
Adult flies may enter through open doors, windows and ventilation spaces before resting on walls, beams and other warm surfaces.
REMOVE FLY BREEDING MATERIAL
Cleaning is one of the most important parts of fly control. Remove manure, wet bedding and spilt feed regularly rather than allowing organic material to accumulate.
Pay particular attention to corners, the edges of pens, underneath equipment and areas around drinkers. These locations are easily missed and may remain damp enough for fly larvae to develop.
Store manure and waste as far away from animal buildings as practical. Keep waste covered where possible and follow the appropriate requirements for your property and animals.
REDUCE MOISTURE INSIDE THE BUILDING
Flies require moisture to complete much of their breeding cycle. Repair leaking drinkers, taps and pipes promptly, and improve drainage in persistently wet areas.
Replace saturated bedding and improve ventilation where appropriate. A cleaner, drier environment is less attractive to flies and also makes the building more comfortable for animals and workers.
PROTECT FEED AND WASTE
Keep animal feed in sealed or securely covered containers. Clean up spillages promptly and avoid leaving wet feed exposed for long periods.
Bins should have close-fitting lids and be emptied regularly. Position waste-storage areas away from entrances where possible, as flies gathering around waste can easily move inside the building.
USE STICKY FLY TRAPS TO CATCH ADULT FLIES
Sticky fly traps provide poison-free control by physically catching adult flies. Large sticky rolls are particularly useful in stables and barns because they provide a much greater catching surface than individual fly papers.
The 10-metre Sticky Fly Trap Roll can be extended to suit the available space. Its pheromone-enhanced, high-tack adhesive attracts and captures nuisance flies without using insecticide.
Sticky traps reduce the number of adult flies moving around the building, but they should be used alongside cleaning and waste management rather than as the only control measure.
POSITION STICKY FLY ROLLS CORRECTLY
Install sticky rolls in elevated, undisturbed areas where flies naturally gather. Useful locations may include warm roof spaces, beams, entrances and areas close to established fly routes.
Always keep adhesive traps away from:
- Horses, livestock and other animals
- Children and passing workers
- Exposed feed and drinking water
- Food-preparation surfaces
- Machinery and moving equipment
- Excessively dusty or wet locations
Never position a sticky roll where it could become attached to an animal’s coat, mane or tail.
CHECK AND REPLACE TRAPS REGULARLY
Inspect the roll frequently during periods of high fly activity. Remove and dispose of a section when it becomes covered with flies, contaminated with dust or no longer sufficiently sticky.
You do not need to expose the entire roll at once. Drawing out smaller sections allows you to renew the catching surface when required and helps the complete roll last longer.
PREVENT MORE FLIES FROM ENTERING
Where practical, fit fly screens to doors, windows and ventilation openings. Keep doors closed when they are not being used and repair gaps that allow flies to enter unnecessarily.
Air movement can also discourage flies from settling in some indoor areas. Appropriate ventilation or fans may support the wider control programme, provided they are suitable for the animals and building.
USE A COMPLETE FLY-CONTROL APPROACH
The most effective approach combines several practical measures:
- Remove manure and soiled bedding regularly
- Keep feed and waste securely covered
- Repair leaks and reduce persistent moisture
- Prevent unnecessary entry into the building
- Use correctly positioned sticky traps to catch adult flies
- Inspect the affected areas throughout the fly season
For broad, poison-free coverage in animal and agricultural buildings, shop the D-BUG Sticky Fly Trap Roll.
