In every stable, pest flies are a known problem. They can cause stress to the cattle and transmit diseases. The use of predatory flies against these flies offers an effective solution for this.
What are Robber Flies?
Robber flies are natural enemies of pest flies. They are a crucial link in the ecological chain due to their unique ability to control fly larvae. These small but powerful insects lay their eggs in the same places as pest flies, allowing their larvae to directly attack the larvae of the pest flies. This process leads to a significant reduction in the pest fly population, without the use of harmful chemicals.
The Benefits of Robber Flies in your Stable
Robber flies bring a range of benefits to livestock farming:
- Direct Approach to Pest Flies: They effectively combat pest flies by using their natural enemies.
- No Nuisance to Humans and Animals: Robber flies are not a nuisance to your livestock or to you.
- Minimal Labor Required: Deploying robber flies requires little effort.
- No Development of Resistance: Unlike chemical agents, pest flies do not develop resistance to predatory flies.
- Environmentally friendly: They are a sustainable choice that does not burden the environment.
How Do Robber Flies Work?
The process of using predatory flies to control pest flies is both fascinating and effective. After the predatory flies have laid their eggs, these eggs hatch into larvae. These larvae feed on the larvae of other flies living in the manure. This interrupts the life cycle of the pest flies and prevents new outbreaks. Stable Brothers predatory flies are supplied in tubes of 5,000 or 10,000 pupae, depending on the size of the area to be treated. The predatory flies are particularly effective in slurry systems for pigs and calves. For solid manure, such as chickens, goats and horses, you can use ourIchneumon waspsto use.
Application in Practice
For effective use of robber flies in your stable:
- Place the tube with robber flies where the fly nuisance is the worst. Think of above manure grids on dairy farms, a place where robber flies thrive.
- Remove the lid for gradual release.
- Provide an initial colony build-up, followed by maintenance doses for continued monitoring.
IMPORTANT: Natural fly control works best in closed spaces!
Within 2 to 5 days after hanging the tubes, the adult robber flies will emerge. They are then immediately ready to get to work: they lay their eggs on the manure, where their larvae will attack the fly larvae.
Building an Effective Population
To develop and maintain a robust population of robber flies, it is essential to use the tubes several times a year. Here is a recommended schedule for the starting year:
- Start in March/April.
- Place the tubes in the first three times every 14 days.
- Then continue with a deployment every 4 weeks.
- In the first year, the tubes are used a total of 6 times.
In subsequent years, placing the tubes once every 13 weeks is usually sufficient to maintain the population.
Best Practices for Using Robber Flies
Successful application of robber flies requires attention to several details in your stable management:
- Removing Spilled Feed: Do this at least once a week. This forces stable flies to reproduce in the manure.
- Manure Moisture Management: The manure should not be too dry, because robber flies lay their eggs on the border between dry and wet. Make sure the manure is moistened regularly, but always maintain a thin crust layer.
- Manure management: Avoid mixing manure and always leave about four inches of manure in the cellar to maintain the robber fly population.
- Early Deployment: Start the season early to build an effective colony.
- Monitoring: Monitor the effectiveness and population of the robber flies.
The Stable Fly: A Nuisance Pest in Livestock Farming
Let’s also take a closer look at what a stable fly is. These flies are not only a source of irritation for your livestock, but can also transmit diseases. Understanding their life cycle is crucial for effective control:
- Egg stage: Takes about 24 hours.
- Larva in molting phase: This phase lasts about 7 to 14 days in total.
- Adult Fly: Life 1 to 3 weeks.
Stable flies thrive in moist, decaying organic matter. Their favourite breeding grounds are faeces mixed with straw, hay, soil or grain residues, but also wet straw, grass clippings and poorly maintained compost heaps. A female fly can lay up to 800 eggs in her lifetime. For each new brood she needs a fresh blood meal, for which she will harass your livestock. It is therefore of the utmost importance that you tackle these pest flies in your stable.
Important Information
It is essential to know that robber flies are intended for professional use in livestock farming and are not suitable for home use. In addition, the pupae are not returnable or exchangeable.
About Stable Brothers
At Stable Brothers we are committed to providing sustainable, innovative solutions for livestock farming. The robber fly is a prime example of our efforts to provide environmentally friendly pest control methods. In addition to quality products, we also provide expert support and advice. For additional support, questions or advice, please contact uscontactcontact us.
