kimmi_b Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Anyone else having trouble with flies around the Eglu? They seem to be happy sat on the top - I don't think it's the smell as it was cleaning day yesterday - soapy wash AND disinfectant spray. :( Don't think I can put up with flies all summer as I have a young baby and don't like the thought of them buzzing around her when she is out in the garden. Does anyone have any idea how I can get rid or dissuade them from lingering? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 I washed mine yesterday and i too noticed small flies settling on the Eglu.I put it down to possibly two things: a)Its bright orange so maybe it looks like a giant flower. b)I used lavender scented washing up liquid so maybe the smell attracted them? If they're really bugging you-get some Eucalyptus oil,put a few drops on a cloth and rub it over the outside.Gnats,flys and bugs cant stand the smell Eucalyptus (think of vicks vapour rub!). Another option is to plant a Eucalyptus tree in your garden.When i bought this house 9 years ago-for some bizzare reason gnats loved it which made sitting outside a pain so i planted a mere twig of a tree and the gnats never bothered me again.On friday however,i had to cut it down because it developed some rot-it was 4 ft taller than my house and took 3 of us with a chainsaw & ropes to safely bring the beast down! When kept undercontrol-they're wonderful,but left to their own devices-they are rapid growers.You can however heavly prune them or confine one to a spacious tub if space is an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 If you can get hold of some citronella that might help. You can buy something called a **Flitrap** They really do draw the flies away, but they smell pretty bad.....like carrion. Also...both of mine vanished.....completely. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted May 4, 2008 Share Posted May 4, 2008 Also...both of mine vanished.....completely. How bizarre! Do you think a fox took them? (given that they are not averse to the smell of carrion). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 (edited) Also...both of mine vanished.....completely. How bizarre! Do you think a fox took them? (given that they are not averse to the smell of carrion). I do think that! You are a mind reader!! And pondering on it further....I'm wondering if they actually attract the fox Ooh err! Edited May 5, 2008 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redfrock Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 a)Its bright orange so maybe it looks like a giant flower. that's what I was saying only yesterday about our lilac one! It is certainly attracting more sunbathing horrors than the purple one. I am also using the citronella route Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jules. Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 I have had my flitrap up for a couple of weeks & it's already pretty full I've also got my citronella & eucalyptus oil on some kitchen roll under the run shade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gallina Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 I have never seen as many flies perched on the top of my Eglu as I saw yesterday. They are not nasty bluebottles: just small ones that I can't identify. I think they are harmless, and I think it is the colour of the Eglu rather than the poo tray that is attracting them. We can probably blame it on the odd weather we have been having. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 There used to be an Urban Myth around that Yellow Eglus attracted flies. Can't say that I've noticed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerlily Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Funnily enough - I noticed too that flies are landing on my and I don't get my chooks till 25th May! So it must be the colour, but I will get some citronella as a precaution (thanks for the hints and tips everyone! ) TL x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowy Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 I think they just like a warm surface to land on! We have a Keter storage shed box thingy with a dark green lid (nowhere near the chickens) and there seems to be loads of flies sat on there at times! PS great game for small children - when we last went camping I bought the boys a fly swat each (yes I know, tight mother). They provide hours of entertainment for the children having fly swatting competitions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 There used to be an Urban Myth around that Yellow Eglus attracted flies. Can't say that I've noticed. I used to work for an importer and one thing which we used to bring into the country was hardwood garden parasols.Out of all the colours we distributed to various stores-the yellow one was the least popular because it apparently attracted bee's & wasps.We always had lots of yellow ones left at the end of the year. Also,if you think about it-wasp traps are always yellow too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 There was quite a few flies buzzing about earlier. After I cleaned the cube I dripped a bit of citronella essential oil around the run and now they seem to have all buzzed off. I don't know if it simply masks the smell that is irresistable to flies or they don't like the smell of it but it definately works. I think Tea tree oil has a similar effect. Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 There was quite a few flies buzzing about earlier. After I cleaned the cube I dripped a bit of citronella essential oil around the run and now they seem to have all buzzed off. Kev. Did you drip it within the run or around the outside? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Couperman Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 There was quite a few flies buzzing about earlier. After I cleaned the cube I dripped a bit of citronella essential oil around the run and now they seem to have all buzzed off. Kev. Did you drip it within the run or around the outside? I dripped it around the perimeter on the outside and a few drops in the droppings trays. I think it is a skin irritant used neat so I play it safe. Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poachedegg Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 Thanks Kev. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helly Welly Posted May 5, 2008 Share Posted May 5, 2008 I put a few drops of citronella in a spray bottle of water and spray the inside of the cube and the nesting box with it frequently. The chooks don't seem to mind it and i can't say that we've ever noticed a fly problem. I also stuck a piece of rag to the inside of my kitchen bin which i regularly douse with citronella, keeps flies and smells away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redhotchick Posted May 6, 2008 Share Posted May 6, 2008 Citronella rag on the inside of the bin lid. That's a good idea! I've noticed a few flies around my eglu. Must dig out my bottle of citronella. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
