Natural Enemies of the Pest

Anywhere manure accumulates and stays reasonably dry there will be an abundance of mites and beetles that prey on fly eggs, maggots, pupae and even adult flies that use them for their own reproduction. Dry manure means a more active and effective population of natural predators and parasites. Cultural methods undertaken to manage manure and biological methods implemented to kill flies are therefore complimentary. 

Letting nature take its course would be acceptable under most natural conditions. However, high animal density in poultry, dairy, feedlot and farming operations produce large amounts of animal waste in short periods on relatively small areas. Fly populations can be correspondingly great. Therefore, it is necessary to supplement natural populations of predators and parasites with commercially produced fly parasites to increase the number of flies that are killed.

Adult macrochelid mites feed on fly eggs.	Adult beetles (Carcinops pumilio) are very helpful to fly control.

Using Fly Parasites

The most important natural enemy of flies are small wasps called fly parasites. These tiny insects are completely safe to humans and animals. Frequent releases of fly parasites will reduce fly populations.

	The adult fly parasite searches fly breeding areas for fly pupae.
	Once found, the fly parasite drills a hole through   the armored puparia and lays an egg on the protected fly pupa. The parasite egg hatches and the immature wasp eats and kills the developing fly pupa.
	After feeding on the dead fly, a new adult fly parasite emerges from the fly puparia in about 2-3 weeks. The new parasites then search out and kill more fly pupae. Each female fly parasite will kill about 100 fly pupae in it's lifetime.