Hi,
Who are you guys purchasing your fly predators from this year? I used them for years with success, I guess, cuz last year somehow i didnt order them and had way more filth flies than I have in the past.
Thanks
Bumping up for responses. I would also like to know what people are using! I’ve used feed through fly control with some success but my gelding decided he wasn’t going to eat it anymore no matter which brand I bought!
I continue to use Spalding Labs.
I had to stop using them during Covid because of a job loss, and we certainly noticed the difference.
We are back on track now and will be using Spalding again this year.
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I use Spalding, and feel they make a pretty big difference–as long as I keep fly spray out of the bedding.
Last year I also started spraying my manure pile with an IGR (the same class of chemical as the feed through fly controls) and that really took care of anything the fly predators did not. Worked great.
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I use Spalding. Definitely notice when we don’t…
@Simkie I’m interested in your strategy, but I thought IGR negatively affected fly predators and that these should be used as an either-or strategy, not in combination. Am I mistaken?
There may be IGRs that have action against fly predators, but the one I use specifically says on the labeling info that it’s safe for them!
I get mine through SmartPak and the one year I forgot to order boy did I notice! They call them Fly Stoppers at Smartpak.
I have not had much luck with fly predators but last year I did try some sprinkle on IGRs that I bought half price at TSC. I figured at that price they were worth a try. I don’t know how much good they did but I did have a borrowed horse that was a total pig. Instead of having grass and bathroom areas, his pasture was one huge bathroom area so I couldn’t just sprinkle the IGRs on the manure and surrounding areas. Horse went home so I might try them again if the cost is right.
Looks like Walmart has it $13 cheaper.
Yes, anyone who is interested should shop around. I linked this particular page because it includes a lot of product info, not because it’s the least expensive option. 
I get mine from Spalding, too. But I noticed when my order auto-renewed for the 2025 season, they are now are starting a couple weeks later than they used to. Not sure what that’s about? My first batch used to arrive in March, now they aren’t shipping 'til April.
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It’s amazing the differences in prices. I bought some fly spray concentrate last year from a company and then found out “Do Your own” had it significantly cheaper.
Huh, I’m about a week later than last year! Not loving that…end of April seems LATE to start. Especially since I saw a fly yesterday 
Has anyone used these guys?
For about the same price as Spalding, they do every other week shipments starting mid April and ending mid Sept.
Kinda tempting?
I’d like to try them but just wondering—how well do you think they would work when the neighbor place—just over the fence—is a total sh–pile of about 60+ head of cattle, additional mini donkeys and a mini on less than 10 acres. ?? I’m already spraying my 2 horses for what look like horn flies. I have a small manure spreader that I empty about every other day over about 50 acres, so manure doesn’t sit in a pile near the barn. Do you think fly predators would be helpful or like a cup in a firehose?
As far as the horn flies go, predators would have to be spread in the cow manure as supposedly that is where horn flies lay their eggs. We have installed several tree swallow boxes and believe they are helping with our recent horn fly issue. This will be year 3 with the tree swallow boxes. Apparently savvy cow people use them.
I have used fly predators for years and do believe they help with face flies as i didn’t get them last year and we had way more face flies than we normally have had.
In my experience, the people at Spalding want to be helpful, so they would be the best people to ask.
I think for this work for you, you would have to buy more predators than you need for your size herd and basically manage their mess with your predators.
Thank you! I will reach out to them. I might have to do a stealth release in the dead of night over the fence!!
I have bought mine from Arbico for the last 10 years or so. I have cut way down on fly spray use esp in the last year or so. I swear by them
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