One of the best things that help with flies is regular shipments of
fly predators. You get regular shipments once a month all during fly
season, and you just sprinkle them on fresh manure around barns and
corrals. The predators are very tiny, and eat only fly larvae, if
you use these every year, the fly population keeps getting less and less.
http://www.spalding-labs.com/home.php I had the worst fly problem
at my place here last year (E WA). Flies were so abundant even by
the house that the house filled with flies, and they would fly up
your nose and at your face every time you went outside. HUndreds of
flies were sitting on the walls of the house and garage, you couldn't
even sit outside. I didn't even have sheep then! Just one horse and
dogs, and the neighbors had cattle. Years a go I used fly predators
at another place (NW WA) and it helped a lot, and I didn't have the
fly problem that this place had. This year, I used fly predators all
summer, and I'd say my fly problem was reduced by 98%. I never
have but an occasional fly in the house, the horse is pretty
comfortable, (no weepy eyes or scabby chest and belly) the sheep have
been very comfortable. (Just before the first shipment, there was a
huge fly outbreak here with a heat wave, and flies were terrorizing
the sheeps' eyes and noses. ) I can't believe how well it
worked. No stink traps, no sticky fly strips (really nasty in 100
degree heat) and no chemical sprays. I put a spot-on fly repellent
on the horse, because he is out by where the neighbors cattle stand
by his fence, and there are those stubborn cow flies out there, but
even the neighbors cattle are enjoying the huge reduced number of
flies this summer. They were covered in flies last summer.
At 08:42 AM 8/15/2005, you wrote:
Does anyone have a good fly repellent method? Although summer is
almost over, next year I'd like to be able to reduce the number of
biting black flies that torment the sheep. I've been thinking of
some kind of back rubber like they use for cattle where, on their
way out to pasture, the sheep would walk through a curtain of cloth
strips impregnated with a fly repellent. It would lay a coat of fly
repellent along their backs. However, mineral oil is used as the
carrier agent and I'm not too keen on the sheep having oily backs.
I've tried using Permectrin in the barn and it doesn't even make a
dent in the flies.
Any ideas?
Carol
Carol Elkins
Critterhaven--Registered Barbados Blackbelly Hair Sheep
(no shear, no dock, no fuss)
Pueblo, Colorado
http://www.critterhaven.biz
T-shirts, mugs, caps, and more at the
Barbados Blackbelly Online Store http://www.cafepress.com/blackbellysheep
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Debbie Davis
Yakima, WA.
Stockdog Junction....Herding Breed Rescue
http://www.stockdogjunction.com
BCs: Teddi FMCH (Flyball Master Champion) (Ret.), Quantum
Quiz Flyball Dog Grand Champion FDGCH!! (Ret.)
RUMBLE (Upcoming star)
and BilliJo at Rainbow Bridge, (the girl that introduced me to the
incredible BC and won my heart, 8/02) Queensland (ACD): Mouse, (my
first ACD, joined BilliJo at Rainbow Bridge 9/27/02), Whisper (BC, my
best ewe and lamb dog, gentle and loving to all humans and animals he
ever met) has now made the journey, 6/14/04)Rest easy loved ones,
your empty spots remind me everyday of how sorely missed...........
Rat Terrier: Super Squeek Flyball Dog Grand Champion FDGCH!!!
Jack x Rats: Ballistic Brat FDCH FM, OutRAGEous FD FDX FDCH,
Dangerous Rogue (I don't play I observe)
Need For Speed Flyball Teams: http://www.sportingk9.com
E. WA Stockdog Junction-----Rescue for Herding Breeds:
http://www.stockdogjunction.com
(Australian Shepherds, Mini Aussies, Border Collies, Australian
Cattle Dogs (Queensland, Red and Blue Heelers, dingos) Kelpies, any
of these breed crosses, ect, and the occasional Rat Terrier or TerrierXs)
Sister sites: NW Wa Border Collie Rescue http://www.green-bean.com/bcrescue/
RatBones Rescue http://ratbonerescues.com
Stockdog Junction now has Registered Barbado Blackbellies (Hair Sheep)
"He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears
that hear above the winds. He is the part of me that can reach out
into the sea. He has told me a thousand times over that I am his
reason for being; by the way he rests against my leg; by the way he
thumps his tail at my smallest smile; by the way he shows his hurt
when I leave without taking him. (I think it makes him sick with
worry when he is not along to care for me.) When I am wrong, he is
delighted to forgive. When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.
When I am happy, he is joy unbounded. When I am a fool, he ignores
it. When I succeed, he brags. Without him, I am only another man.
With him, I am all-powerful. He is loyalty itself. He has taught me
the meaning of devotion. With him, I know a secret comfort and a
private peace. He has brought me understanding where before I was
ignorant. His head on my knee can heal my human hurts. His presence
by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things.
He has promised to wait for me... whenever... wherever - in case I
need him. And I expect I will - as I always have. He is just my dog."
- Gene Hill
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