In a cattle barn, flies are more than a nuisance: they cause restlessness during milking and feeding and can transmit germs. This collection contains natural enemies of the stable fly from Resoluut: predatory flies and parasitic wasps that you release in the barn. That way you tackle flies in the manure, before they hatch.
How biological control works
Predatory flies lay their eggs in the manure; their larvae eat the larvae of the common stable fly. Parasitic wasps lay their eggs in fly pupae, so no new fly emerges from them. Neither does anything against the adult flies already flying around, but they curb the next generations. That is why it works best if you start before the flies really take hold and repeat throughout the season.
How much do you need?
| Product | Pack |
|---|---|
| Resoluut predatory flies | for 50 m² or 100 m² of barn |
| Resoluut parasitic wasps | 15,000 or 150,000 |
Choose the pack of predatory flies according to the area where manure lies, such as calf pens, straw yards and deep-litter barns. Release parasitic wasps where flies pupate, such as the edges of manure areas and corners of pens. Follow the release instructions on the pack for numbers and repeats.
Points to note
You want to release live insects soon after receiving them. Do not use insecticide in the same place, because it also kills the beneficial insects. Otherwise keep the barn as dry and clean as possible: less wet manure means fewer breeding sites. This collection offers little against flies on animals at pasture; consult your vet about that.
Back to everything for cattle. For a hygienic calf shed, see calf rearing, for disinfection mats and barn supplies barn supplies, and for calm cows in the milking parlour udder care.
Frequently asked questions
Do predatory flies also work against flies on my cows at pasture?
No, predatory flies and parasitic wasps work in the barn, in places with manure. For the field you need other measures.
When do I release predatory flies?
Start before the fly problem gets going, usually in spring, and repeat according to the instructions on the pack.
Can I combine parasitic wasps and predatory flies?
Yes, they tackle different stages: predatory flies the larvae, parasitic wasps the pupae.