Fly Predators

For a natural chemical free way to control fly populations try

 fly predators. They are tiny wasps that are harmless to humans.

 They search out fly larva to lay their eggs in. The wasp

 larva then hatch out and eat the fly larva. Predators used together with manure management, maggot control and adult fly

 control are an effective way of reducing fly populations.

One of the best ways to manage manure is to collect it and move it away from where you keep your animals. This will keep the flies away from the animals too. It will also make it easier to release the fly predators in a localized area. Fly larva only inhabit the first six inches of manure so if it is in a pile most of it won't be usable to the flies. Composting breaks down the manure so the flies won't be able to reproduce in it. Then you can use it as organic fertilizer. Keeping areas with manure as dry as possible is also a good step.

I didn't know this until I recently whitnessed it but hornets and yellow jackets are fly predators too. I saw a hornet pluck a fly right off of my horses side and Carry it off. So I'm going to leave them alone from now on. If you don't bother them they won't bother you. Just remember that they are atracted to movement so don't do anything to agravate them. If you find yourself accidently surrounded like if you have uncovered a nest just freeze and they won't attack. My grandpa did this when he was working on taking the siding off of a house. The guy that ran off screaming got stung but my grandpa didn't.