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I clean my coops out every weekend and always get rid of old scrap food left lying on the run floor , this time of year i always get so many flies . Has anyone got any tips on how to control them ?????

I have even resorted to hanging those sticky fly catchers up in the pens ... even at 6ft high i still get them sticking in my hair

Thanks Kelly

Believe it or not, vanilla scented versions of those little magic tree air fresheners work really well! I read this on an American chicken site, so tried it myself & have to say they do seem to help... and they smell nice too!

Also, most people suggest Citronella oil (added to water & sprayed in the coop) works well.

Another thing I use is diatomaceous earth, which can be puffed around the coop and will kill all number of bugs & beasties including flies, plus it safe for the chooks. Adding some to thier dust bath will also help them keep mites at bay

Hope this helps!

A small word of caution - some chickens react to citronella products. I had one that had breathing difficulties with some equine bedding i used which had been treated with citronella, and in the end I lost her because of it. I don't think it's a very common reaction, but worth bearing in mind. I love the idea of the vanilla magic trees!