I'm getting a kick out of flies...literally! (Cattle - Dairy)

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Flies are about to drive me and my milk cow nuts. I have a fairly mild spray that is approved for dairy cattle that must be applied twice a day. I really don't like using any type of poison or pesticide if I can keep from it. If I don't apply the spray before I milk (the only way to do it is to put her in her stall and let her inhale feed while the spray goes to work) I end up with her kicking at the flies and she puts her foot in the bucket. All that work gets poured out on the ground(gotta get me some more chickens so they can eat any 'hoofed' milk). I'd at least like to get some partial help so that I'm not having to spray her with the pesticide as often as I do now. Fly strips won't work and neither will any type of fogger in the setup I have. I need something I can apply directly to the cow. Thankyou and God bless.

-- Amanda in Tx (mrsgunsmyth@hotmail.com), May 10, 2001

Answers

Response to I'm getting a kick out of flies...literally!

Don't know how they perform in an intense situation, but fly traps seem to work real well. Its a container that is baited with rotten meat or some such and the flies once inside cant find their way back out. I understand they ate standard bill of fare at most feed and grain stores - probably simple enouh technology that you might be able to make your own once you see how they are constructed.

-- Willy Allen (willyallen2@yahoo.com), May 10, 2001.

Response to I'm getting a kick out of flies...literally!

Perhaps a larg yard fan would make enough wind to keep the flys away while milking.

-- ed (edfrhes@aol.com), May 10, 2001.

Response to I'm getting a kick out of flies...literally!

Ed, the fan is an excellent idea! My Dad used to have a hanging cylinder (pvc could be used) that he filled with old used motor oil. He had burlap sacks wrapped around it several times. There were very, very small pin head size holes in the lower side of the cylinder, that leaked the oil out very, slowly, soaking oil into the burlap. When hung slightly lower than the smallest cows' back height, it provided fly prevention. The cows would seek out the oil soaked burlap wrapped cylinder and rub under it, over and over again. Flies want to 1)lay eggs on the cow hide or 2)bite the cow and suck blood. The oil was a deterrent. Cows did look sorta dingy but after fly season, the oil cylinder was removed & stored and the cows cleaned up pretty as ever. Hope this helps.

-- Eve in FL (owenall@lwol.com), May 10, 2001.

Response to I'm getting a kick out of flies...literally!

I read in the archives here that dryer softner sheets work as a fly repellent for horse riders. Maybe some in tghe milking stall will help.

-- Jay Blair in N. Al (jayblair678@yahoo.com), May 11, 2001.

Response to I'm getting a kick out of flies...literally!

We use a large box fan during milking and it really keeps the flies off.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), May 11, 2001.


The response about the fly trap is interesting. In January while visiting our daughter near New Orleans, among other attractions, we toured Oak Alley Plantation. On the large table set for an elaborate dinner were several fly traps. The ladies covered the tops of the traps with fancy handkerchiefs, but the entry holes were left open. Glad WE don't have to resort to that!

-- ruth in s.e.Illinois (bobtravous@email.com), May 11, 2001.

Amanda,Recently there was a recipe for a homemade flyspray posted on NubianTalk.We tried it on our goats and LGD and it works better than any commercial spray we have tried.The flies leave and stay away for about a week.I don't know whether it kills or repel but it sure works. Larry's Fly Spray 1 part liquid soap 1 part vinegar 2 parts water Don't know who Larry is but I'm eternally grateful.

-- JT (gone2seed@hotmail.com), May 11, 2001.

Thanks for sharing JT, I am sure going to try it!!! And thanks to Larry? too if it works.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), May 11, 2001.

I have a few suggestions for you. I found an organic fly spray in the horse section of the feed store. It's called Natures Defense, (I think) and uses essential oils instead of chemicals. Another thing I do to back this up is grow lots of mint. I use it in the stalls as a strewing herb, and the flies don't seem to want anything to do with it. The goats will nibble it, and it keeps the flies off of them when they do. You don't need a heavy coverage, I use about one stem per square foot if I'm in a generous mood, and add more about every three days. Standard traps work well for the smaller types of flies, but they won't attract the biting ones. There is a different bait that I've tried, that seems to do a good job of catching them. The link below gives a description, but isn't the only source if you want to shop around.

Advantage Fly Trap

Good luck

-- Connie (Connie@lunehaven.com), May 11, 2001.


I tried one of those fly traps once and caught a bunch of these weird looking beetles. LOTS of them. Didn't use it again.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), May 11, 2001.


We had a problem with sand-flies (sort of midges I guess) driving the pigs nuts but we solved it with used fryer oil. The pigs just loved the daily attention too! I think this would be much safer than any used motor oil.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), May 12, 2001.

Thanks for all the great ideas. I'm definately going to mix up a batch of that Larry's spray. I agree that a fan would help with the flies but I don't have any electric at the barn I milk her at and it is too far to run a cord of any kind. The stuff I am spraying on her does work but I want to discontinue use as soon as I can. The fly traps won't work because the flies are all on her....they don't seem to hang around the barn at all. Thanks again! God bless.

-- Amanda in Tx (mrsgunsmyth@hotmail.com), May 12, 2001.

Amanda, you might want to give the fly traps a try anyway. I used to work on a large farm that used them and they did work great. I use them at my place now and they seem to fill up quickly enough. I got mine through Jeffers. They won't eliminate your fly problem so you'll still need to try some type of spray, but they really may help. I was thrilled to see the fly spray recipe. Does it work on any other biting bugs (black flies or mosquitos) or just biting flies?

-- Sheryl in ME (radams@sacoriver.net), May 12, 2001.

We have yellow flies as well as the regular biting kind.I havn't seen either type since using the spray.It's a good possibility that it will work on all kinds since insect's lives are driven by scent.

-- JT (gone2seed@hotmail.com), May 13, 2001.

My friend and I have found a very good fly spray that you can make at home. 10 oz. Water 5 oz. Any commercial fly spray 5 oz. Vinegar 2 oz. Vegetable oil 2 oz. Dish soap

This will keep the flies off for at least 3 days, and is all natural (except the commercial fly spray), and it improves coat shine and condition. :) Hope this helps. We use it on our horses.

-- Kelly (Kelly040@yahoo.com), July 25, 2001.



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