Fly Management in Poultry Production: Cultural, Biological, and Chemical

Control of the house fly, Musca domestica, and related filth flies in poultry production facilities requires a judicious meshing of cultural (manure management), biological (parasites and predators), and chemical (insecticides) methods in an integrated program. Maintaining the manure as dry as possible through proper air ventilation, drainage, control of water systems, and phased manure removal is basic to a fly control program. Several species of hymenopterous (Pteromalidae) parasites along with mites (especially Macrocheles muscaedomesticae and Fuscuropoda vegetans) and histerid beetles (especially Carcinops pumilo) are the major biological control agents whose populations are enhanced or preserved by proper manure management and limited, selective use of insecticides. The biology of the major fly species and the biological control agents are discussed. The major insecticides and application methods are presented in the context of an integrated control program. Methods for monitoring fly populations are presented.