I've read posts in the past from folks who have used the fly predator/eliminator. Which company do you recommend? When I comparison shopped, Arbico (2-5 horses cost incl. shipment was $17.95)was going to ship in March and Spaldings (1-5 horses cost incl. shipment $18.45) wasn't going to ship until April. The first recommended 9 treatments, whereas the latter started with a 6 month season treatment. Anyone have experiences with either companies?
Posted 2008-02-17 3:27 PM (#77072 - in reply to #77061) Subject: RE: Fly Predator or Fly Eliminator?
Member
Posts: 35 Location: Milton, FL
I have used only Arbico in the past. They send those little buggers right on time. We decided to skip it last year and we saw a noticeable difference. So I plan to call and set it up tomorrow.
Posted 2008-02-17 3:37 PM (#77073 - in reply to #77061) Subject: RE: Fly Predator or Fly Eliminator?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 781 Location: La Cygne, KS
I used Fly Predator last year, but will not this year. Unless your neighbors use it or you don't have cattle all around you, it will not work as effectively unless you shell out a bunch of money for extra predators. I found that manure management around the facilities along with fly misters in the barn was a better approach than the predators for me.
Posted 2008-02-17 4:39 PM (#77081 - in reply to #77061) Subject: RE: Fly Predator or Fly Eliminator?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 824 Location: Kansas
I used Fly Predators for the first time last year. My vet friend said that they are of limited value if they aren't sending the right species of fly (great-one more thing to research...). We had a horribly wet year last year and it seemed like they always arrived in the middle of a three day downpour so it was hardly a fair test. I noticed some, but not a huge difference, but my BIL, a non-horse person, thought there was a very noticeable difference. So will try again this year.
Posted 2008-02-17 5:51 PM (#77094 - in reply to #77061) Subject: RE: Fly Predator or Fly Eliminator?
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
I've used both, and they help.
The key to remember is the predators move about 50 feet, Flies move up to a mile. So if you have a feed lot next door, they will not over come all the flies invading your place. Predators attach the fly larva. They do not attach the adult. So you can have fewer flies hatch on your property, but have just as many adults hanging around that flew in on the breeze.
The reduction in flies seems to be cumulative. Meaning the longer you use the predators, the fewer flies you see. (assuming the flies on your property came from your property). A friend up the street from me, claims to have seen a bigger reduction the second year over the 1st year.
Fly predators alone are not the answer. You will still need to have good manure management and fly traps.
Posted 2008-02-17 8:23 PM (#77114 - in reply to #77072) Subject: RE: Fly Predator or Fly Eliminator?
Expert
Posts: 2615
Originally written by Mwill on 2008-02-17 3:27 PM
I have used only Arbico in the past. They send those little buggers right on time. We decided to skip it last year and we saw a noticeable difference. So I plan to call and set it up tomorrow.
Same thing happened here.I did notice the difference too.
Posted 2008-02-18 10:16 PM (#77217 - in reply to #77061) Subject: RE: Fly Predator or Fly Eliminator?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 385 Location: high desert, CA.
We have been using the Arbico predators for about 3 yrs. As everyone has said, if your neighbor up wind has a munure problem, you will not see a great difference in adults. BUT...on our place the flies are just about gone by June, and since I pickup the manure and have it taken for composting, I have almost no fly problem at all. ( I do use those "Trap-n-Toss" traps though for adults. )
Posted 2008-02-23 8:04 PM (#77772 - in reply to #77061) Subject: RE: Fly Predator or Fly Eliminator?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489 Location: CA
I've used Spalding for the past 4 years. I still get some flies, but many fewer than before I used Spalding. You still occasionally need to use other methods like a wipe product on extremely sensitive horses, or a fly sheet. All in all, I believe the fly predators are really helpful...And very easy to use! Hope this helps.
Posted 2008-02-24 9:01 PM (#77851 - in reply to #77061) Subject: RE: Fly Predator or Fly Eliminator?
Elite Veteran
Posts: 644 Location: Odenville, Alabama
I've used Fly Predators by Spalding for the last several years. The first 2 years they worked great. I was as close to being fly free as you can get and still have livestock. Last year . . . not so good. I attribute it to the subdivison of 1500 houses on 80 acres right next to us. i.e dogs, garbage, cats. We've since moved and bought a different farm. I may try Fly Eliminators by Arbico this time.
Fly Predator or Fly Eliminator?
