FruitandNutCake Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 After emptying my flitraps 2 weeks ago, and checking it almost daily, it is obvious that the flies are not dying straight away and laying eggs in the trap. The eggs are growing into adult flies in the trap which are populating the flitraps. I can't see any way to stop this from happening, so I've emptied the flitraps completely, and bought rechargeable portable bug killer that I'm going to try out instead. Just wondered if other Flitrap users had noticed the same thing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kissinuk Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 Ours had maggots in it last week before I emptied it but they soon died and didn't get chance to turn to adults. Have you put enough water in it? I topped mine up after it started to dry out from the rotting blue bottles. I doubt there's much you can do about it, we had a venus fly trap once and even that had maggots emerge from it!!! (difference was that was in the kitchen ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted July 20, 2008 Author Share Posted July 20, 2008 Yes, I topped it up with water and swirled it around several times. I was having a discussion about it with DH who reminded me that the larvea can live in fluid (ie rotting, liquid carcasses - which is what the flytrap smells like!) . I really can't go through emptying them anymore! The battery one I bought only lasts 5 hours before it needs recharging - and when I read the instructions, although it says it can be used outside, it can't be allowed to get wet - so it has to come in when it rains! So I can't see that working for long. I've hung it up in the run where it is dry, but don't know how effective it will be! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Slats Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Was about to go for lunch... not so keen now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mutrix Farmers Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 Am about to empty Flitrap for the first time (well I'm going to beg and plead with Hubbie that he does it) so I don't know about the maggot problem. No-one else has mentioned it in other posts. Hope the new girls settle in quickly! Someone on the forum designed jumpers for bald ex-batts. I've seen someone else use a cut down sports sock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynn Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I've decided not to have a garibaldi biscuit with my tea... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 even if they breed, they won't be able to get out of the trap and the smell given off by the flies will attract other flies into the trap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slats Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I am amazed at how many are in ours!! It does wiff though if the wind is blowing the wrong way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Slats Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I am amazed at how many are in ours!! It does wiff though if the wind is blowing the wrong way Really dear, I thought that was you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 OK, I noticed that since I haven't refilled the flitraps, the number of flies in garden and run has increased. The battery one actually kept going all night - but only killed one mosquito! So, I'm back to filling Flitraps again. Unfortunately one that I hadn't emptied 2 weeks ago and left on ground has gone AWOL hopefully not dragged away by fox into neighbours garden - not a pleasant find!! I'm just going to have to be brave and continue to empty them down the drain! I apologise to anyone who was about to eat!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckmomma Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 No-one else has mentioned it in other posts. This has been discussed before , but I can't find the post now. I had Maggots in mine, it was after we had a lot of rain, I think the rain creates the ideal conditions for the lavae to thrive, we get the same thing happen with our wheelie bin, When it's been hot and rainy the bin will smell and we get Maggots. There is another way to look at it If the flies had not been trapped in the flie traps it's likely they would have laid their eggs in and around the run mabe even in the chickens bottoms. At least if they are laid in the traps they are contained Maybe I have a strong stomache, but I don't find emptying the trap as unpleasant as some others do I just look on it as just another dirty job I have to do cos no one else will Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 Yes, I have come to the same conclusion - I'd rather have them in the trap than out of the trap - and it is down to me to do it! It is something I'll get used to doing!!! Chickens are not the easiest things to hold upside down to check bottoms either. My rabbits let me hold them and lay backwards like a baby so I can check them each day! Even my rescue rabbit is letting me lay her backwards but I haven't worked out how to check the chickens! Only just worked out how to look for lice and mites (I think anyway!!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 get hubby to hold her with her vent towards you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FruitandNutCake Posted July 21, 2008 Author Share Posted July 21, 2008 He doesn't live with me - and even if he did, he's scared of the chickens! I've got more chance of my youngest (3 and a half) holding a chicken and being able to point it in my direction!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duckmomma Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 With my Polands I just put my hand firmly on the back and push them down into a submissive/crouch position, after a minute they go drowsy and I just roll them over, hold them there and the are kind of hypnotised, it's really funny to see Not sure if it works with a full sized chicken tho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babs&Ginger Posted July 21, 2008 Share Posted July 21, 2008 I've got the traps that are made out of old milk bottles...OMG, it's been up for a couple of weeks now & it STINKS!!!! It's caught loads of flies though & I suppose the rotting flesh stink will attract more of them!! Not looking forward to emptying it though... - Ginger - Babs AKA The Dark Destroyer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 I posted on here last week about maggots in flitraps - gross! The garden stank, they were just a breeding ground for flies! I've removed them from the garden now and we've got far less flies than when we had flitraps in it! Will never buy one of these again - BIG MISTAKE! Smells far more evil than anything the chooks can produce! Sticking with garlic powder, bokashi and citronella, thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 ...as for emptying it, I gort my poor old OH to do this - he looked at it first, and then regretted it, as he couldn't stop thinking about it later... said it was like looking into HELL! And the stench was unreal!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yolky Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 The first few days we had the girls there seemed to be lots of flies but since we have switched to hemcore in the run and added bokashi and garlic to the layers there doesn't seem to be many at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 I've mentioned before that the smell is totally indescribable....quite unlike anything I have ever smelled before.....or since. I wonder if some people are lucky enough not to be able to smell it though, as others have said it was no big deal. Still can't look at an Eccles Cake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickenlass Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 Mine haven't been up that long and they getting a bit ripe to say the least! For the last couple of days I have been thinking that the chickens really stink and have been replacing bedding and Aubiose but I now realise its the flitrap...I've just carefully moved it further away from the run as I nearly passed out as I caught a whiff of it. I don't think I am going to be able to empty them when the time comes and I may just have to discard the whole thing. Having said that ...they certainly" do what it says onthe tin " Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 That's the other problem...WHERE to discard it! My OH had a (very bad) idea of emptying the contents DOWN THE TOILET!!! Needless to say, seconds later he was off to Tesco Express spending a fortune on endless bottles of bleach and 'Oust'! So much for 'green living', eh? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 I emptied mine on the compost heap and covered it with a couple of shovels full of earth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph101 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 I was wondering if it could go on the compost heap or not. It's smelt so toxic I was convinced it would contaminate mankind for generations to come! I know it's meant to be natural, but ye Gods, I just wanted it as far away from our town as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Totty Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 I have 2 flitraps in the garden and OMG how many flies have they caught. I am going to empty one tomorrow morning as it is now full. I think I maybe missing breakfast. I must say that the amount of flies I am still getting in the garden is incredible. I use the 2 flitraps plus soaking kitchen towel in Citronella, Ecualyptus and Lavender and it's still bad. I looked on Google tonight to try and find some tips on how to control it but nothing. I noticed a previous reply on here about using Hemcore, Bokashi and Garlic which was suggested works to reduce the number of flies. I currently use Aubiose in the run. Should I be raking out the Aubiose each day or just water it down to dilute the poo? What is the difference between Hemcore and Aubiose? I wondered if I am washing down the run too often. I do it in the morning, late afternoon and then once the girls have gone to bed. Am I producing a breeding ground for the little disease ridden things. We really cannot invite people over for a BBQ because of the amount of flies in the garden. Help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
