fly control
Fly pest

How can I control fly pest?

Fly infestations reproduce very quickly. One adult fly can lay over 1,000 eggs and in four weeks, under ideal conditions, a few flies can become an infestation of 1,000,000 flies! 

In addition, only a small part of the fly population is visible, as most are found as eggs, larvae and pupae in manure and food waste.

Why is fly control so important?

Fly infestations can be more than just a nuisance on farms; they can also cause significant economic losses and health risks to both animals and humans. If a fly infestation is not properly controlled, farmers face several dangers:


Disease transmission

Flies transmit diseases such as Salmonellosis, Avian Influenza and Digital Dermatitis in cows, seriously affecting animal health. These diseases cause significant economic losses due to decreased production and increased veterinary costs.

Animal stress

The constant presence of flies stresses animals, reducing their feed and water intake, which affects growth and productivity. Prolonged stress can weaken their immune system, making them more prone to other diseases.

Food and water contamination

Flies contaminate the animals' feed and water with bacteria and pathogens, causing infections and digestive problems that harm their overall health.

Economic impact

Fly infestations have economic repercussions, including high disease treatment costs, reduced productivity and possible product rejection in the marketplace.

Prevention is better than cure

However, with proper planning and effective strategies, you can keep your farm free of flies year-round. Here is a complete guide to help you control fly pests on your farm effectively.


Early Intervention

Initiate fly control measures early, ideally before temperatures exceed 10 degrees Celsius. Starting control measures early helps prevent fly populations from reaching infestation levels.

Custom Control Plan

Consider implementing a customized Annual Insect Control Plan, such as the one offered by MS Schippers. This plan provides a customized approach to fly pest control, addressing various stages of fly pest development and using a combination of methods to keep your farm fly-free year-round.

Prevent a fly infestation: start on time! Don’t wait until 25°C. By breaking the cycle at 10–15°C, you prevent an uncontrollable infestation during the summer.

Temperature determines fly pressure

Did you know that stable temperature is the most critical factor in the development of a fly infestation? What starts with just a few flies can escalate into a serious plague within days during summer temperatures. The warmer it gets, the faster the fly life cycle progresses:

  • 10–15°C | The start of the cycle: Development is slow (20–30 day cycle). Nuisance is limited, but the foundation for the next generation is being laid now.
  • 16–25°C | Population acceleration: The cycle shortens to 10–14 days. The population grows visibly, and flies become more active.
  • 25–35°C | Explosive growth (infestation): This is the critical phase. The entire cycle takes only 7 days. A single fly lays hundreds of eggs, leading to acute stress and health risks for your livestock.
Fly magnified

What can I do myself against fly pest?


Clean environment

A clean environment is crucial. Keep barns clean and dry. Remove manure and feed residues regularly to reduce breeding sites for flies.

Waste management

Ensure proper disposal and storage of waste products to avoid attracting flies.

Water & ventilation

Ensure there is no standing water, this can be a breeding ground for flies. Reduce humidity by ventilating well.

Natural enemies

Introduce natural enemies such as predatory flies that attack fly larvae or parasitic wasps against pupae.

Experts recommend

MS Larvakill/MS Madendood is an IGR (insect growth regulator). This means that fly larvae can no longer molt and therefore cannot pupate. As a result, no adult flies will be born.

Pest control prevents the introduction of diseases

Rats, mice, flies, birds and other pests are known as vectors that can carry different diseases inside the barn.
Pest control is an important factor in every biosecurity program, but can be one of the most difficult to organize.

Take advantage of the professional advice and support offered by MS Schippers. We supply a wide range of products that can help you to decrease pest load on your farm, whether it is pig farming, dairy farming or poultry farming. Our experts can provide advice on how best to use them.

Find out more about our pest control products

Looking for a complete solution?

With the pest control program you don’t just get hygiene products to get rid of all pests present at your company. This program consists of application, coaching, service, monitoring and products. We provide you with the right tools and guide you to prevent pests from entering the company. Together with basic hygiene measures and protocols this program will make sure (re)contamination can’t take place by pests from both inside as outside.

Frequently asked questions about fly control

Contact MS Schippers
Call for personal advice +31-(0)497-339774 or send an email to export@msschippers.com

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