Yellowjedi Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Hello - Cheech and Chong ( ) have been with us just under 2 weeks now and already the garden is full of nasty huge flies. Any chicken-friendly ideas on how to get rid of them? We've got those sticky yellow flowers on card propped up around the garden at the moment. Like a sinister episode of TellyTubbies. We've fully cleaned out the and the run twice already (each weekend) and have been poo-picking from the paths when they have been FRing. Any poo on the soil has been removed, dug in or washed away by the rain. So, there shouldn't be much to attract them but the things are everywhere Any advice gratefully received. And finally..... Chong haas discovered corn on the cob. Talk about obsessed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happily Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 We use red top fly traps and they work really well although they are a little gross x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Red top fly traps here too, very good Check the chooks arent spilling lots of food as when this gets damp it smells and attracts flies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowjedi Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 Thanks both - will try those. At least today the rain is keeping them away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Another RedTop fan here aswell, and definitely agree particularly near the end of its life. Nettex ground sanitiser is supposed to help deter flies, you are supposed to use some sort of sanitiser if you have a fixed run, mind you I spread a load yesterday and the flies didn't seem too put off. It hadn't been on long though. I rake it through the covered run and the outdoor run aswell as sprinkling a little in the housing. Bokashi Bran is rumoured to help but I didn't notice much difference with that either. Raking over the poo regularly will help, serve s"Ooops, word censored!"s in bowls instead of scattering, not as much fun for the girls but better for pest problems. Keep your girls bums clean, I had to clean one up yesterday. I had some of those sticky flowers but I think all the sticky came off in the rain so they just look pretty now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowjedi Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 I've ordered a red top, and am also waiting for the Bokashi bran to arrive so will soon have a couple of prongs for my attack. I'd never heard of a red top before - just goes to show how helpful forums can be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabe smallholder Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Just looked the red top up on net. They look pretty gruesome but would you all definately recommend? Might be ordering a couple then. Just another question - what do you do with it when its full? Looks runny, does it trickle out in the bin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Does anyone else remember Red top,Blue top and Gold top??? Milk that is, or am I showing my age? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabe smallholder Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Yes but not sure they would catch flies!! Remember school milk in little bottles that used to freeze in winter?!! Sorry yellow jedi we've hijacked your post! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 OMG yes, hated the stuff. The cream use to sit on the top and it was always warm. Yuk. Not keen on milk if you havent guessed. Back to flies....we dont really get them, honestly! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 And what were green shield stamps all about? Sorry yellow jedi! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowjedi Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 LOL! I remember being milk monitor and getting to stick the straws in the bottles. And my mum's green shild stamp book too hehehe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan08 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Wannabee, I emptied most of the liquid out in a discreet corner of the garden - it stinks Then double bagged in some supermarket carriers before putting in the bin. When you see how many flies you trap you will know it has definitely made a difference. Loooved gold top milk, it was a treat on a Saturday when I was little. And I always volunteered to be the milk monitor at primary school so I could finish off the extra ones Green Shield stamps and coop ones too, that was my job to stick them all in the crinkly book! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowjedi Posted June 16, 2012 Author Share Posted June 16, 2012 Red Top now set up. Although with the weather we're having I think the flies have probably already drowned! Thanks for all the advice everyone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowjedi Posted July 16, 2012 Author Share Posted July 16, 2012 LOVINg the red-top. It eats flies! Thanks so much for the advice - it's brilliant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groovydad Posted July 16, 2012 Share Posted July 16, 2012 Red top fly catchers are great but put it way way away from the house and chuck run. It will stink after a few weeks (I always have to triple bag it and make a run to the tip to dispose of it). And don't forget to top it up with water or the smell will be really bad. Basically obey the instructions. It kills lots of flies ... it is the smell of rotting flies that attracts more flies to it, so put it where you won't be hanging out and you will be fly free until it gets full (all the flies will go to the red top and leave the other areas alone). Did I mention the smell of death lol ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yellowjedi Posted July 27, 2012 Author Share Posted July 27, 2012 It is a bit stinky! My garden is not very big and the instructions say it has to be 5m away from compost heaps etc so by process of elimination it ended up on the garage by the side door (on a hanging basket bracket!!) so we get a lovely waft when we have to go in there. Small price to pay though for something that actually works. OH got the job of bagging it for the rubbish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
