About Fly Eliminators

Fly Eliminators are gnat-sized, nocturnal, burrowing insects that do not bite, sting, or harm humans and animals. Adaptable to all climates, these parasites reproduce in two to three weeks, thus constantly reinforcing the beneficial population. Expect a reduction in general fly population in four to six weeks.

At night ARBICO's tiny parasites seek out the pupa of the fly. They make a tiny tear in the pupa to feed and the females deposit (oviposit) their eggs within the pupa. Those eggs in turn begin to develop and feed on the developing fetal fly... eliminating flies. In about 17 to 21 days those parasites will hatch out of the fly pupa and begin the cycle all over again. Releasing parasites is fun and something the whole family can do together. It is safe, non-toxic, USDA approved and very affordable when compared to poisons!


Life Cycle of the Fly

The fly lays an egg that looks like a speck of sugar. Within a short time, literally hours, the egg develops into a larva that we call a maggot, which is microscopic and so small it is almost impossible to see. This little maggot is light sensitive and with it's strong little body writhes and undulates itself deep into the ground and manure away from the outdoor light. Once buried, it continues to feed and grow until it reaches a certain size and then it pupates. This is the cocoon stage of the fly which looks like the size and shape of a piece of rice and chocolate in color.


Shipment and Release Rate

Fly parasites are shipped via US Mail or 3 Day FedEx Saver. Once they arrive, examine the clear plastic bag for significant insect movement. When you see 30 – 50 insects crawling around the top of the bag, it is time to disperse the parasites.

You can release the insects before they hatch; however, they must be covered with a thin layer of manure or ground cover to prevent birds and ants from consuming the unhatched fly parasites.

If you do not see movement within the bag, you can speed up the process by placing the bag in an old pillowcase and setting it on top of your hot water heater. Make sure you check them every day.

Watch Our Fly Eliminator Video – See how Fly Eliminators are used to control flies around your horse property.

Release insects to all potential fly-breeding areas. Some "hot spot" locations include the following:

Manure and Urination Areas:
• Inside barns, stables, stalls, hospital pens, or loafing sheds
• Around corral posts. Paddock areas, along fence lines, and other frequented dropping sites
• Around the perimeters of manure piles, pits, bins, or carts
• In kennel or coop areas where manure accumulates

Watering and Feeding areas:
• Under water troughs, around barrels, buckets, or other devices
• Where spilling or leakage occurs
• Around bathing areas, drainage sites, and perimeters of run-off or stagnant pools
• Areas where feed, straw, or hay have decomposed

Other Fly-Breeding Areas:
• Around compost piles and family gardens
• Alongside garbage cans

How to Release Your Fly Eliminators

The insects are shipped as parasitized pupae in a woodchip medium and are dispersed by releasing a small handful at "hot spots". To release, scratch a 1-inch hole in the ground with your boot heel, drop in a small handful of sawdust and pupae, and cover them with straw, earth, or manure to protect them against wind, birds, ant or pesticides. The amount of parasites to release depends upon the size of the "hot spot". Use as small as a teaspoon and as large an amount as a handful. These parasites travel 30 to 50 meters in search of visible fly larvae and pupae.

Seed as many hot spots as possible with your first application, concentrating heavily on the obvious fly-breeding areas. Repeat this release procedure in slightly different spots on subsequent applications. In this way, new cultures of parasites will be evenly distributed throughout the fly season.

DO NOT place the parasitized pupae in standing pools of water or in the center of manure piles. Instead, apply them around the perimeters.


How To Store

DO NOT leave insect shipments in direct sunlight or areas of intense heat. Store them at room temperature (approximately 70 – 80 degrees F) until they begin to hatch. If needed they can be stored at 42 degrees F in a refrigerator for 3 - 5 days.

SPRING AND WINTER: Maintain parasites at 80 degrees F to ensure proper hatching. Temperatures below 80 degrees F slow the process.

SUMMER AND FALL: Warmer temperatures may cause hatching to occur more quickly. It is normal to receive your shipment and find parasites in the process of hatching. Release immediately. Hatching will continue over the next several days as the product has several stages of maturity.

When To Release Fly Eliminators

Begin your program when spring temperatures first arrive. It only takes three consecutive days of 40 degrees F weather for the overwintering fly populations to start developing. Each female fly will lay 1,000 eggs in her lifetime, so it is very important to release the fly parasites before you see the first fly of the season. The released fly parasites will start parasitizing the overwintering pupae thereby reinforcing the indigenous fly parasite populations and killing it's host before the fly develops any further.

Continue releasing the fly parasites throughout the entire fly season, until the first significant frost. It's important to release all recommended batches. The last batch will overwinter for the next fly control season, reviving around the same time the overwintering fly, still in the pupae stage, starts to develop.

Notify an ARBICO consultant if any of your conditions change. ie. You have more animals. Ants are becoming a problem. Your next door neighbor just brought home 10 calves and they are 50 ft. from your back door.

Use fly parasites in conjunction with EM Power and good manure management.

Pesticide Susceptibility

Do mot spray the facility at the same time you release the insects. If you must spray, we recommend that you spray 48 hours before or after releasing the parasites.


Specialized or Custom Fly Control Programs:

If you don't see a program that fits your needs, we will be happy to help you set up the proper custom program. Call us to speak with one of ARBICO's knowledgeable consultants.

Questions Call 1-800-827-2847