Are fly parasites safe?
Our fly parasite species are all native to Canada, not from some faraway exotic place. They will not wreak ecological havoc because they are already here! They are natural enemies of flies but they have NO interest in humans, your animals, or even other insects. Unless you go poke around in the manure you will probably not even see them. THEY ARE DEADLY TO FLIES.
What does the product look like?
Your shipment will arrive in a sturdy, sealed box. Open the box to reveal the fly parasites ‘pouches’ which have a see-through plastic film on one side, so you can easily see the contents. The other side is a breathable membrane which is essential for air and moisture exchange in case the box has travelled through very hot conditions on its way to you. Inside is mixture of parasitized fly pupae which contain the fly parasites, and wood shavings that act to regulate the product from temperature extremes, and to bulk up the product so it is easier to pace yourself when you release them.
When do I begin the fly parasite program?
It’s not the same for everyone and it doesn’t really work by the calendar. It depends on several factors. Firstly, where are you in Canada? Ontario and British Columbia start earlier than northern Alberta. It is influenced by your climatic zone. Secondly, there are seasonal variations from year to year. Some years we get a sudden and quick spring and you should start earlier. The following year it could be the opposite and you could start 6 weeks later. Unlike our competitors that pressure you to get started as soon as possible, we tell you the thing that makes sense: begin when you first start to notice flies.
Is the fly parasite program for everyone?
There are a few things that are required to use the fly parasite program successfully. You have to commit to locate all the fly breeding areas of your farm (we will help you with that). You have to be willing to diligently spread the fly parasites in all the fly breeding areas when they are ready for release. You have to be prepared to have an Integrated Pest Management approach to fly control. The overwhelming majority of farms and stables will do this, but if you can’t, then it is not for you.
How many do I need?
Although we use guidelines based on many years of experience, there are many factors involved in order to determine the correct amount. A starting point is the amount of manure you accumulate, and that is based on which kind(s) of animals you have and how many. Bigger animals make more manure and more animals mean more manure. The amount of manure is directly correlated to potential fly breeding grounds and so more fly parasites are needed. However, many other factors come in to play as well. The manure management system you use, normal temperatures and humidity for your area (higher of either means more fly pressure), and your location and proximity to other potential fly breeding areas. Call us and we will figure it out based on your specific scenario. 1-866-577-1117.
How long do I need to use the product for?
This will depend on your location (climate zone). Southern regions of Ontario, British Columbia, and the Maritimes go longer than the prairies and norther regions. However, seasonal variances we get from year to year are a factor as well. If it is a very warm September you can go to the end of the month or even into October in some southern areas of Canada. Once you get a couple of heavy frosts the flies will begin to naturally die out and you can stop for the year. However, many poultry operations can use the product year-round so it depends on your set-up.
Do I have to use the fly parasites every year? Don’t they come back?
Just like the flies, some fly parasites will overwinter by entering an insect hibernation state called diapause and come back in the springtime. However, just like the flies, only a small number do this and those few will suppress the flies only for a short time, for 2 reasons:
1.The flies are way more mobile and can spread out to all your fly breeding grounds rapidly, much faster than the fly parasites.
2.The flies breed so much faster and it will take only a short amount of time to overtake the fly parasites and build up a large fly population.
So at the beginning of every fly season, it is necessary to reintroduce the fly parasites.
If this works can I marry you?
Uh, no.
But you can name your cat ‘Bug’ if you like. I did.
Nicolea Dow
After starting another summer on the farm with swarms of flies, I saw an ad for Bugs for Bugs in one of the poultry magazines and decided to give them a call – I’m so glad I did! With livestock being a new venture on the farm, we had no experience managing flies and were quickly realizing we needed some new tools. After a call to Frank at Bugs for Bugs I gained a wealth of knowledge on flies and a plan for managing them on our farm. Within a few weeks of starting to release fly parasites we went from having flies as a constant pest to having very few around the farm yard. Using fly parasites has been so much more effective than pesticides were at reducing our fly population and is much easier to use, safer and cost-effective. Every 2 weeks a fresh package of fly parasites comes in the mail and all we have to do is take 5 minutes to sprinkle them on our manure piles. We’ve been so happy with our experience working with Bugs for Bugs and have recommended them to several of our friends and neighbours.