Egg Industry - November 2009

Integrated pest management
– effective fly control
With the development of resistance to many forms of control, alternate
methods must be developed. Simon M. Shane

Flies continue to be a nuisance in egg production operations, espe- cially in large in-line high-rise complexes. This production system allows the propagation of ;ies especially when complicated by de;ciencies in the design of housing, management of ventilation or removal of manure.

;ies will breed without natural control through predation.

Flies are adapted to reproduce at a prodigious rate. Each female ;y can lay up to 500 eggs over a 15 to 25 day life cycle. Given wet manure, warm temperatures and humid conditions prevailing in spring and early summer, ;y breeding may result in population explosions which overwhelm conventional control measures including application of insecticides and feed-through larvacides.

Many high-rise houses have inadequate ventilation capacity especially when exhaust fans are throttled back during cold weather. Manure serves as a “water-sink” retaining moisture from respiration, defecation and urination by the ;ock, water from leaking nipples, seepage from the exterior and condensation from inadequately insulated roof structures.

With the development of resistance to synthetic pyrethroids and organophosphates and also larvacides such as cyro-

In an attempt to reduce capital and operating costs many operations have inadequate pit ventilation from turbulence fans which are necessary to dry the crust especially at the apex of manure rows.

A program of complete removal of manure from all houses on a complex will promote ;y breeding especially if followed by placement of young ;ock since pullets normally excrete wet droppings through to peak production. Under prolonged high temperature water intake may rise above 5. 5 gallons per 100 hens per day which results in both wet droppings and increased respiratory release of water.

Go to www.AnimalAgNet.com to share your successes and pose questions to ther industry professionals.

4 • Industry Egg • November 2009 • www.WATTAgNet.com mazine, alternative methods of control are necessary. During the past few years many producers are reevaluating integrated pest management coupled with Biologically Integrated Insect Management to control ;ies.

Problems contributing to
fly control

Typical A-frame cages over deep pits allow ;y breeding on de;ector panels and crossbeams in addition to the rows of manure.

Integrated pest management

An integrated pest management program involves effective management of the water content of manure by effective ventilation, the use of bene;cial insects and the judicious application of insecticides.

Annual clean out of pits during spring months results in removal of bene;cial insects which serve to suppress breeding of ;ies. In the absence of “bene;cials,”

Management procedures to reduce ;y breeding in high-rise houses include:

✔Maintaining effective ventilation rates and operation of turbulence fans in pits.

High fly populations may contribute to tape-worm infestation of flocks and may disseminate viral and bacterial infections.

✔Composting manure rows under the cages.

✔Periodic removal of manure from houses on a rotational basis with composting to produce a value-added product or disposal by spreading in a remote location.

✔Removal of manure from houses during winter which is possible using a composting installation.

✔Alleviating water leaks and seepage of water in to the pits due to defective drainage.

Many of the problems experienced in high-rise houses are obviated with on-belt drying installations coupled with weekly removal of manure from houses for composting or disposal.

Biological integrated insect
management

A range of bene;cial insects are available commercially which attack the premature stages of the lifecycle of ;ies. Generally all these bene;cials with the exception of Ophyra prorogate and function in manure with a moisture content below 50%.