Livestock Producers Next Door Make Fly Control And Insect Control A Full Time Job

Summer is almost upon us again. It’s time again for barbecues, backyard fun with the family, and flies. Everyone knows that flies can be a real annoyance during family gatherings, but those of us who work in livestock production know that fly control means the difference between a profitable slaughter and another year of just getting by.

A professional producer will make an effort to maintain proper fly and mosquito control on their property. However, controlling biting flies, face flies, and even the common house fly, is a group effort. If there are several livestock producers in an area then proper pest management is an undertaking that everyone should be involved in. This is why keeping fly infestation under control on your own property is referred to as a “good neighbor policy.” So, what do you do if you live in an area where one or more of your neighbors seem unconcerned about fly issues on their property?

The first thing to do is to address the situation directly with your neighbor in a manner that is not confrontational. Explain to him that there are a lot of flies coming off of his property and that you thought he would want to be aware of the situation. There’s a good chance that your neighbor may be unaware of the problem they are causing for the rest of the neighborhood. Perhaps they are older and unaware that the insect control that they’re using is no longer effective.  If you spend years around pests, you don’t tend to notice them as much as you used to.

If your neighbor is aware of the situation then he may be very concerned but unsure of how to take the necessary steps to fix the problem. The easiest solution to this problem is to share your pest management techniques with him.  If certain flytraps were successful for you, then chances are it will be equally as effective for someone that lives close by. Likewise, if you have found a pesticide that works especially well you may wish to share this information so that the 2 of you can work out a rotation system designed to kill all insects in the area.  Many producers who have large fly populations on their property have no idea that they are being “bad neighbors.” When dealing with a delicate situation such as this, it is always wisest to communicate to your neighbor with diplomacy and grace, and with the assumption that the person you’re talking to is eager to fix the problem.

On rare occasions, however, talking frankly with a neighbor doesn’t lead to the desired result. Perhaps they are uninterested in fly control, or maybe they don’t want to shell out the expense for a fly trap or discussing the art of homemade fly tra; whatever the reason, if you find yourself faced with a neighbor who is unwilling or unable to control the insects on their land, you may have to take matters into your own hands to protect your own livestock.

If you find yourself with an unhelpful neighbor, don’t despair.  Although flies and other insects are able to travel ½ a mile or more, there is hope for you and your livestock.

One of the simplest and least expensive methods of pest control are fly predators. These are parasites (usually insects), that feed upon flies and lay their eggs inside of developing fly larvae. Fly predators are generally small insects that feed upon “bad” bugs without becoming a pest issue themselves. There are a few reliable vendors that sell predators and can help you decide which specific insects are most helpful for your area. Predators are generally an easy, economic way to deal with pest issues and are usually as simple as opening a small pouch along the fence line a few times a year.

Other considerations for management of your neighbor’s pest problem include an insecticide or insect repellent as well as fly traps or eaters.

In the vast majority of cases, a little understanding and communication go a long way toward forging solid relationships with your neighbor. For the most part, livestock producers that live near each other are usually aware of the symbiotic relationship that is shared between them and want to do what is necessary to remain a good neighbor. The tiny minority that doesn’t want to “pull their own weight” may be an annoyance, but can be managed with enough foresight and ingenuity.

Pest management is not only something we do to protect our own profits. It’s something we do as a courtesy to others. Bugs don’t respect fences or boundary lines, so it’s up to all of us to help show them the door.