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What "stinky bags hung 3 ft. above ground?"  I've used the predators over 5 years.  They add to the general protection but it's not like I don't use fly spray daily.  I also hang those fly traps with the smelly attractant and, last year, picked up 4 of those leg shields with velcro for my mare who spends all day stomping her feet--THAT was a good investment of $25--they're still in OK shape for this season.  It's a tough problem.

Jill Cohn in Berkeley, CA

 

On 3/30/07, Lynne Glazer <lynne@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

Linda, that doesn't sound right--how about giving Tom at Spalding a
call?  (RC, Linda and I live about 15 miles away as the crow or fly
flies...)

I've had grand success with them despite having the "poop birds"
here--starlings and another that is migratory and here twice a year,
pickin' through the poop.  On Spalding's recommendation, which
changes from year to year based on weather forecasts, I use the
predators from Feb to October.  Last year they didn't work--why?
there were 22 horses moved in next door where they practiced almost
no manure control and had no predators.

So this year I've bought predators for them too, because I'm
determined to have results like those first two years.  We only had
the flies that breed in water, the tiny black ones and the B-52s.
It's spendy, but worth it in order to have no stable flies, house
flies, etc.

The key is NOT to let the predators out of the bag until they're
awake/out of their sacs and moving around.  My fresh manure teems
with these guys, when the instructions are followed.

I didn't have to use fly spray much during those seasons either, but
do supplement the predators with those stinky bags hung 3 feet from
the ground.

Lynne


http://www.photo.lynnesite.com



On Mar 30, 2007, at 8:51 PM, Lindak wrote:

> I tried Spalding fly predators last year.  Started in April and
> used them thru August/Sept.  They arrive as bunches of larvae mixed
> in with shavings in a plastic pouch.  You have to wait until you
> see several tiny tiny wasps walking around inside the pouch, then
> you sprinkle the rest of the larvae in your manure area.  The birds
> all flew down and ate most of the larvae the first time I sprinkled
> them around.  The next month I covered most of the larvae up with
> leaves and grass.  The birds just dug thru that and ate lots of the
> larvae again.  I continued using them but didn't see much
> difference in the flies.  What I MISS is my nest of yellow
> jackets.  WEIRD but true because they really ate the fly larvae and
> NEVER stung any one.  However that nest was right next to the only
> water faucet that I can use to reach the horses, so lots of water
> got into the area and their nest with the queen must have drowned.
> I never see yellow jackets now.  DARN.   Back to daily doses of
> Larry's natural fly spray and fly masks, with an occasional dose of
> Swat if a sore appears.
>> From Linda-k
> Have a horse lovin' day!!!

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