Farmer Wins War with Flies Using Simple Traps

[@briangarrow448]

I was licensed to do pest control for a number of years in a job where that duty was a small part of the total work responsibilities. I also tried to use chemical control as a last resort. The simplest reason was cost. Changing methods, making decisions based upon removing food sources and general cleanliness were all much easier and cheaper. Pesticides are expensive and toxic. They also come with unintended consequences.

[@0xFF48]

That’s why modern pest control focuses on a integrated solution. Chemical pesticides can be a part of the solution, but breeding ground control with chickens, possibly parasitic wasps, spreading and drying out manure piles, and sanitation has to be a part of it.

[@ImusNoxa]

I love seeing your commitment to viewing the farm as part of an entire ecosystem and recognizing how all the various parts come into play and affect each other

[@sean-or1nc]

Ecosystems dont need vaccines

[@janetyurkin822]

As Dr. Jane Goodall said, How can we believe it’s a good idea to grow our food with poison?

[@Dobviews]

Agreed!

[@vickimarkjones]

Agree!!!

[@minnahumble2294]

Me, too.

[@andrewj5998]

Hey Morgan! Your flypaper traps seem to be working great. I think you're seeing more flies on the buckets because they're lower to the ground, where more flies are likely to congregate. I would suggest building a simple box with four boards and screwing 18 inch long pieces of wood to act as legs in each inside corner. The idea is just to keep the flypaper off the ground so grass and leaves don't get stuck. No need to stick it in the ground - it won't go anywhere. Then, use a staple gun to attach the flypaper. Staples are cheap and you should only need about 6 - 8 per side. It's easy to tear the flypaper off and leave the staples embedded in the boards. I would also screw some metal handles into the top edge of the boards so the contraption is easier to pick up and move.

[@minnahumble2294]

Whoa. Great suggestion.

[@vistas5823]

Cool idea except that's basically what the trashcan does already lol

[@ahmade.8142]

Are you on meth?

[@Snick989]

damn every video i watched recently you just seem more and more confident and assured in your position now. it no longer feels like a guy im watching learning farming, it feels like a farmer teaching me whats went on recently and what to do next. been great to watch the journey.

[@saraschneider6781]

He's still learning (as he always should) but there's definitely a confidence of "I have no idea what I'm doing, so I'm going to try these three things." rather than just "maybe this will work".

[@jaredreid2661]

Board trap design update: Rather then going length wise with the paper wrap it vertically and stick to itself more. won't need the line in the middle and probably easier to attach the paper. Also Consider using those metal gator clips or plastic clamps just for ease of start and end.

[@silverforest4682]

or clothespins

[@jenn7047]

This is a great idea. Morgan, I thought the chickens were able to eat the bugs off the paper last year, are you still doing that?

[@minnahumble2294]

That sounds like a great suggestion.

[@annwithaplan9766]

@@silverforest4682 - Clothes pins sill only work if the board is skinny enough. They won't work if the board is too thick. Tried them with different things myself.

[@lindakim3051]

Or maybe you could just stick the flypaper to a sandwich board? Easy to carry (some even have handles) and two-sided, and freestanding

[@donring]

great to see Baby B thriving having lived her whole life outdoors, also love to see everything looking so green, after all the rain when you do get a bright day or two the grass and everything else grows quickly at this time of the year.

[@Lonesome__Dove]

Morgan you've really become a leader in this farm life thing...just a few yrs ago you had no actual real life experience with just passion, motivation and likely lots of research you made the jump from dreaming to doing and now you're teaching ppl literally. Really speaks to your dedication and level of intelligence and motivation. You're doing great my friend. I also want to let you know I love you and what you're doing, I don't personally know you but you, your family and your farm have become a part of my life that I'd be devastated if i was no longer to view and hear your stories and daily life. Thanks for being you. I hope the young people on this site soak up what you're sharing....and even older folks too but especially young folks. Your kindness and generosity is something that should be spread from human to human.

[@minnahumble2294]

Yeah. Agreed. And as a collateral benefit you get to live on property that looks like the Garden of Eden. I keep looking at the property from your drone footage and there is what looks like another 30 or 40 acres of pasture behind your maple trees that would round off your holding to about 200 acres (if your neighbor should ever decide to sell a piece.) that would be a good place to keep sheep. I have heard in the past that you can’t pasture sheep and cattle on the same land because sheep crop the grass so close to the ground. I’m not even sure it’s true, but I would try to negotiate with that landowner for a right of first option. Then if they ever get in a mood to retire or sell, you get a first option and as long as you pay market value you can buy it. I am probably poking my nose where doesn’t belong, but just FYI. I have seen this kind of instrument used where I am from here in Louisiana. There are advantages to both parties and usually some money changes hands at the inception of the agreement. There are several ways to structure the deal including a credit toward the purchase price in the amount of the down payment if it ever comes to that. Of course there is a distinct disadvantage for you if the neighbor never decides to sell, but most people who are neighbors know going into it whether that’s a possibility.

[@oscarmarfori613]

14:24 the way you install the trap paper is defining factor of it’s effectiveness

[@Shridra]

My folks don't struggle with flies so much, but this year has been absolutely horrible for mosquitoes. They have 40 acres of mostly heavily wooded forest and they have their motorhomes kind of right in the middle of it. With hurricane Fiona last year a lot of large trees were knocked over, including their rootballs, which has left lots of spots for water to collect. They're working on clearing up the trees and tipping the rootballs back into their spots, but in the meantime they went and got some of the propane mosquito traps which I've been bugging them to buy for 2 years lol. They finally agreed it was a good idea - natural attraction for mostly just the mosquitoes, which is slowly removing the breeding population. I'm excited to see how much better it is next year!

[@juliemcgugan1244]

Where I used to live, we got a secondary ‘pandemic’ of dengue fever, during lockdown, because pest control services were not allowed to enter people’s properties anymore. It took so long to get it under control, because the population of the Aedes aegypti mosquito exploded out of control and people were coming down with dengue fever left and right. So many of my friends had it that, COVID became the less-terrible option, at one point.

[@seadragon1456]

My city fogs all public grounds -including subdivisions 5 days a week. It’s a rotation. The city said it’s not toxic and that’s it’s just an oil that blows in the wind….. mosquitoes are still bad so I’m not sure the point. Anyway, I make sure my kids and I are inside for the night before the truck comes. I can’t believe a lot of my neighbors just continue cooking and playing outside with the mist lingering.

[@stevebabiak6997]

@@seadragon1456 - might be similar to “dormant oil” that is used to control pests on vegetation.

[@iossaiken]

For the trapping of Flies: I think the flipped red garbage bins are retaining the day's heat and that is what makes flies attracted to it. You could try using red/orange traffic pylons elevated on a pole or no pole.

[@horsemaskreplica]

Glad the plank fly traps are showing promise - I think an improvement would be if you turned them 90 degrees and put a spike on the bottom to impale it directly into the ground. That way it could be 100% scrap wood, have paper at different heights to catch more flies, and the paper wouldn't want to flop off since gravity would naturally be pulling it the way you want. Curious to see the next iteration!

[@lynnbetts4332]

The board method may be more effective if you drop it down about a foot. About the height of the trashcan. Some people like those long strips hanging in a barn. I quit hanging them after finding wren feathers in one, and a hummingbird trapped in another (it was dead). I do use the stinky traps but wrap the fly strips around the top of the jug, so they catch most of the flies before they enter the jug. Helps it last longer. But that is inside my barn. Chicken poop really attracts flies, so I throw diatomaceous earth down under where they roost. It will kill any maggots that hatch and can also kill the flies. Despite what people claim, it really isn't effective for internal parasites. It turns to mud when wet. Works best when it is dry. In some areas, we also have the benefit of dung beetles to help break up poop. Using chemicals that get into the animals' systems carries through in the poop and can kill beneficials like dung beetles. Talk about a zen moment. Watching the larger dung beetles roll clods of poop to their underground hole with their back legs. Get two on one ball, and it can be a fight to see which is stronger.

[@RoseNZieg]

dung beetles are awesome.

[@grampa_ahah]

@@RoseNZieg Im sorry I can't help myself... But are those dung beetles the kind to get after the the bell rings? Or do you have any experience the ding beetles? You know, the beetles you might buy before a bell rings. My apologies for a terrible farm poop joke...

[@nicecatholicgrl]

I'm amazed at how you keep trying to improve things ! Your a great farmer also my grandkids and I are looking forward to the reading of your new book!! We will also be buying one for kids library here at my house aka grandma's house! Ty for all you and Allison do!!

[@juliemcgugan1244]

❤️

[@nicecatholicgrl]

@-.Goldshawfarm what can I help you with??

[@fh5kskalf]

Morgan is like a master at telling us he'll leave product links below, but not doing it. 7:10

[@GoldShawFarm]

I'm so bad at that. Updated!

[@marjoriegoodwin2993]

@@GoldShawFarm Woops.

[@Sidewinder84x]

even after he updated i still dont see it, oh well haha

[@saraschneider6781]

​@@GoldShawFarmI really love how you disclose affiliate income. I'm never mad at your sponsored ads eiher- which is saying a lot!

[@dakotareid1566]

@@GoldShawFarmstill not there

[@juliebanks6172]

Hi Morgan, I tried your flypaper method. It works great. I have tried all those fly traps listed on Amazon and ugh they stink. I wrapped a container and placed a corncob on top of it that the chickens had finished and I must have had 1,000 flies stuck to it. YAY thanks Morgan.

[@bjrnslader5907]

The War on Flies is what brought me to the channel last year and I've loved watching and learning ever since then. It's a good sign as well that you're toying with ideas on how to make the fly traps more effective. Overall, great channel, great farm, great people. I love ya

[@bjrnslader5907]

@Goldshawfarm_. What would you like to discuss my dear friend?

[@bkm2797]

I thought this was one of the best ideas you came up with Morgan, it's those little ideas that are the best. The cows are much happier, no doubt about it! Thanks for the update, all is well at Gold Shaw Farm.

[@OveranalyzingStarWars]

It just warms my little heart every time you throw a Star Wars reference in your videos

[@Philisnotretired]

I bought a 3 roll pack on Amazon. Man, the stuff works great. The stuck flies serve as attractants for the other flies. The more you catch, the more you catch. Winning!

[@lindakim3051]

I got some window fly trap stickers for my apartment and I’m actually kinda sad I don’t have more of a fly problem. It’s just so satisfying to catch them!!

[@karenschoessler1178]

Wow...I'm so happy to see and hear your trapping ideas plus keeping it all natural!

[@scooterpush]

As a long time viewer, I just want to say, Mondays,, Thursdays and Saturdays, are my little dose of joy and smiles brought to me by Morgan of Gold Shaw Farm. You are so good at this I just don't have the patience to plod through other homesteaders videos because they don't make it interesting and they rely on their personal family drama to keep me watching. BTW, I was hoping to here some good news about the baby ducks momma hatched. That was as sad as the skunks getting Dottie's babies.

[@nodigBKMiche]

I think once your trees start growing & fruiting, you will have more birds from nature to eat the flies. Love your content, humility, honesty & integrity 😽😽

[@anitraahrens905]

❤ Morgan, l love watching Beatrix Potter frolicking and running along with the adult cows. She's so sweet and adorable. ❤ P.S. May I suggest for your next book, write one about Beatrix Potter, as she was born in the pasture and her nanny Auntie Abby.

[@Seriouslioness]

I thought this would be a boring video but it was actually super duper interesting. I think it is so cool that you have figured all of this out! props!!

[@BraddyT]

Love your videos Morgan! I think the flypaper is all about placement, place the traps closer to the cow pies or the water and you’ll catch more!

[@dt8ustotten285]

Your bucket method is on the ground level where I think the flies are more likely to travel? Buzzing near cow pies etc for example.

[@lindahensley4161]

Your farming method are totally awesome. Thanks so much for sharing your life with us.

[@j.miller9700]

I think your traps are a thousand times better than the commercial ones. Good job!

[@gildedbear5355]

A few thoughts on the board traps. The board traps are higher up than the bucket version. A lot of flies could simply be flying under the trap. The second board with more flies might have been because it was nearer the water trough. The trough itself would force the flies to fly higher, thus putting them at the same height as the board, but it was also closer to a place where the cows congregate throughout the day and so flies are more likely to be THERE rather than somewhere else. Lastly, it'll likely work better to have the join between the ends of the fly paper be right in the middle of the board rather than the end. It'll be easier to secure the ends together. Somebody else suggested staples, it'd probably work well to secure the fly paper in general.

[@Dan_Slee]

One suggestion to add to the list Morgan, would be creating perches and roosts for song birds that will eat large amounts of flies... for instance Tree Swallows are known to to eat more than 2500 flies in a day as adults. If you aren't sure of what types of birds you have near you that would eat flies during the warm season, a little googling can help you find that info.

[@laulaeee]

Every single one of those things is a fly - except there’s a snail at 0:08 !! Though it’s not buzzing so I guess it wasn’t included… 😂😋😁

[@FeedMeSalt]

We always used our hens to handle flies. Your methods are clearly more necessary and effective. The combo of the chicken tractor and tape is amazing

[@lhmcd5538]

I totally agree with all of your principles Morgan. We do need to be far more mindful of how we effect those around us and the environment. You lead by example so thank you for doing that. Thank you. May you all please take care and stay safe. Louisa. 👏👏👏❤️❤️❤️🤩🤩🤩

[@veratrine1483]

it's also important to note that pesticides like that are VERY harmful for aquatic life and health so exposure could effectively destroy your developing pond and harm the connecting waterways. thank you for talking about how important it is to consider the consequences of chemical pest control! lots of love from michigan!!

[@OwlishFun]

I really appriciate this very much. We're a rural museum that has an awful cluster fly problem come September, and I want to try out your approach to see if we can keep them mstly out of the museum building itself :)

[@barker262]

Mate, there is film of troops in North Africa during WW2 dealing with there fly problem. It shows them emptying home made traps full of dead flies. Enough to fill a couple of wheelbarrows. The traps looked about as large as an old TV. I’ve never been able to find out the construction of them, but it could be something to look into.

[@lindasebbana9893]

For my horses I use a big blue barrel for a big stinky. It catches so much flies. I have trouble with flies because of the cows in the pasture behind us. I use fly predators & feed through that prevent fly lava. Since you have had a lot of rain flies are going to be terrible. See if they make fly mask for cows. They work wonders for my horses

[@julieinak]

Brilliant, the chickens and fly paper doing a great job! Glad you have such a great system!

[@Masood1810]

Hey Morgan, I love watching your videos. My suggestion for a robust flytrap design would be to make an 'A frame' (like the chalkboards on French street restaurants) and have boards on either sides, then stick the paper on to it. That way it stands everywhere and will still be mobile.

[@defeqel6537]

The trashcan honestly seemed easier to set up, and since it is closer to the ground, presumably easier for insects to get to when windy, always good to try things out though

[@lindakim3051]

Agreed!! Trash can is easy to move around and seems stable on the ground, and setting up the posts seemed a little finicky to me. My other idea was to stick the paper to a folding sandwich board, which might be a bit easier to carry. Not sure what exactly it is he doesn’t like about the trash cans though

[@ruthanne9914]

Might the board traps be sturdier if you wrapped the fly paper around them vertically? Spiraling the paper that way would eliminate the need for tying, pinning, etc. the paper to the board. Maybe a little more time consuming to remove the old paper, but only marginally. --Either way, I sure admire the way you care for your animals, your land, and by extension, all of us. 🍃

[@GutterV]

Building off this idea, he may want to design a trap using an A-frame sign as reference (ex: wet floor sign). He has decent scrap board to work with base. He just needs to construct it in a way that works for him. It would let him secure that fly paper to the board so it runs (vertically) over both boards. He'd still need to pin the paper in several spots (at least 4 per facing), but it would probably be more stable compared to those posts he was using.

[@thePrisoner1000]

@@GutterV maybe even a hinge to flatten it and make it easier to cart around and store during the winter.

[@GutterV]

@@thePrisoner1000 Of course, that's ultimately the path the design should go for long-term, large-scale use. I still wouldn't mind seeing him handyman a fixed A-frame from those boards and a few planks. I just enjoy seeing the man problem-solve his daily grind.

[@dc-4ever201]

Morgan, as you said the fly paper is easier and better as you can burn it when done, whereas the jars snd buckets, you have to dispose of the contents somewhere and re top up. An idea to attach the fly paper to the board might be a few drawing pins, you can lever them back out with a multitool to reuse and just tear through them when changing paper.

[@stevebabiak6997]

In Pennsylvania, we use that same type of fly paper tape to catch spotted lantern flies. They are attracted to certain trees, so we wrap a strip around the trunks of those trees, sticky side out (and there are some neighbors of mine who put the sticky side to the bark, so don’t do that).

[@Seriouslioness]

Seeing the baby cow running with her herd for fresh grass is super duper ooooooper cute

[@Self.reliant]

I found having the trap lower to the ground catches more flies. I think that's why your higher board was less flies per inch

[@craigk.235]

The information was useful! Those traps are pretty great. You'll probably make more traps in the future.

[@alphanerd7221]

I never realized my primary interest in this channel was looking at pretty things until I saw the video of a bunch of gross flies.

[@Haryah11]

Barn swallows also REALLY help with flies and misquotes. They also come back yearly once they find a good nesting ground. I don't know if they are in Vermont, but if you build houses for them around the perimeter of a garden or yard, leave barn doors open in the summer, they will move in and nest. Once nests are built, they have eggs and chicks and those chicks need fed a lot of food. Ergo around dusk and such you'll have a horde of swallows just mobbing every bit of insects that will drive you mad like the Ride of the Rohirrim.

[@JoeyBlogs007]

6:40 The slug actually didn't appear trapped at all. I'm wondering if its eating the flies. Apparently slugs are considered scavengers, and they may consume dead insects, including dead flies, if they come across them. While slugs primarily feed on plant material and are herbivores, they are opportunistic feeders and will sometimes eat decaying organic matter, including dead insects. Courtesy of ChatGPT.

[@laattardo]

I need glasses, I swear it was a snail 😂

[@Shadowspets]

There are carnivorous slugs as well that mainly feed in cadavers and other snails/slugs

[@JoeyBlogs007]

Snails and slugs are part of the same biological family. Snails are opportunistic feeders and, under certain conditions, may consume dead insects, including dead flies.

[@JoeyBlogs007]

😂🤣🤪

[@laattardo]

@josephblogs352 yes, slugs are houseless snails 🤣🤣

[@Gertyutz]

I love the long-haired cows. They're so beautiful. The flypaper is great. It's been around for many years. I would keep both traps.

[@gaylewatkins4685]

Awesome fly trap solution. It's really working!! Great job Morgan. 👏👏👏

[@eric2500]

The sound of the fly buzzing coming out my speakers was enough to make my cat think there was a fly in the room - fooled me too for half a second!

[@johnrutgeradmirand8895]

Hey Morgan! I just had a thought for the fly tape setup. I like your current trash can method, but it doesn't look terribly sturdy. Perhaps a "Traffic Drum" might be more sturdy and less prone to tipping. Plus it should increase your tape surface area! Food for thought, love your videos!

[@blazethealaskanmalamute4633]

You are an inspiration ❤ thank you for all the useful tips & tricks I hopefully 1 day put to use! My family have been discussing moving to a sustainable ranch/farm life. We’d love to have chickens, highland cattle & “wooly” pigs as we live in Alaska. The dream will happen someday ❤

[@Dd-sunshine68]

I love that you advocate for being a good stewert of the land

[@_1_271]

my guess is there were less flies on the fly paper on the wooden board because the fly paper flapped around in the wind more than when it was stuck to the trash can. i also find the effectiveness of the bottle method improves the longer you leave it, and when they are full just scoop out the dead flies and re-use the liquid (top up with plain water if necessary)

[@sebbes333]

*@Gold Shaw Farm* That plank-fly-trap, try rotating it so the plank is "standing", and wrap the flypaper over it, like an up-side-down U, and maybe use some weights on the fly-paper ends, to keep tension on it? Would also be interesting to see what happens if you paint different planks in different colors, if that have some effect, for some strange reason.

[@tenofivelips]

Came on the learn about the flies, leaving with the want to watch Mars Attacks. Love it.

[@wildpuffalumps]

Have you tried the garlic salt? There’s some really good fly and pest control with it and some of the natural remedies.

[@Lonesome__Dove]

Sticky traps will always work. Its the best IMO for simple removal without chemical intervention. 100% the right way to go!

[@Nphen]

🐖 Would like to see the pigs move to a new area 🐷 and maybe see you use their food as a lure to root through an area you want rooted up. I know it will take some work to prep and fence an area for them. Love to see your cows happy & healthy and mostly fly-free. Looking forward to more teen geese and new chick updates soon!

[@13MoonsOverMayhem]

Morgan, maybe try a sandwich board design for fly trap. Lots of flat area, easy to pick up by a handle on top and move it, water runs right off, and folds flat to store in winter.

[@yeagerxp]

Morgan those flies on the paper. If they gross you out. Put on a pair of gloves and roll out the paper on the ground. recoup your weekly fly expense, CHICKEN FEED. Excellent and informative work 👍👍👍. Thank you for sharing. Be safe 🇨🇦

[@raigarmullerson4838]

Yesssss, was lowkey waiting for this episode. So the war on the flies continues. Love the content. Cheers from Estonia

[@sowandtare]

Looks great! There could be a "perfect" height to have the paper at as well, as i noticed the trash can and boards are different heights. I know some traps state a height to put them at. It would be worth experimenting with.

[@OhSnap-kb9vr]

Your new flytrap looks good. May I suggest using a center tie down long enough to use garden nails to stake the board in place at a 45 degree angle to the fencing poles used to make the unit. Im pretty sure those boards will catch the wind and it might help keep them from blowing down.

[@douglasmorton6121]

Pretty darn cool, Morgan! 👍😎. Thank you, and Stay Safe!!!

[@ladymargaret6186]

Baby bea so cute running around ❤❤

[@nancywebb1845]

I love that you take an enviromental and ecosystem approach to fly control. However, I am very glad that I hadn't started lunch before watching.

[@donwp]

It's nice to see you taking good care of your cows. I have a suggestion to try regarding fly paper dispensing. To be most efficient, I think you need to take advantage of the fact that it comes in rolls. I'm imagining putting a new roll on a vertical spindle, and stretching out a couple of feet to a nearby vertical spindle. Leave it a day or two, and the flies will accumulate. Then, turn the receiving spindle until the used paper is wound on, exposing fresh paper. When you get to the end, the whole 40' fly-infested length is already wound, and ready to be popped into the trash. Begin again. Good luck!

[@LadyMiner100]

Here in the Arizona desert we found that putting the paper on a barrel in the shade by the water trough massively improved performance over placing it in the sun and away from water- even 15' away we saw a big difference.

[@varietypack4979]

I'm so glad I found this video about the big rolls of fly paper. I have been using this in combination with the Rescue fly traps after two of my ducks got fly strike. It is a bot fly massacre down here in Georgia. I am catching thousands every day. Now if my neighbor would stop open dumping dead sheep at our property line!

[@user-vq4mt4zd4e]

another great vid thanks--pete from just a few acres farm uses diesel fuel in a unique way to help control flies; know you dont want chemicals but just wanted to offer another possibility. keep up the great work brother.

[@BC-kx5zb]

Many livestock producers have shown a strong interest in using garlic to reduce horn flies on pastured cattle. Garlic is commercially available in a pre-mix mineral or can be purchased and mixed by the producer in mineral or salt, normally at a concentration of 2% garlic.

[@chrisinman2884]

I copied your technique with amazing results. Really appreciate your help

[@loa81]

May I make a suggestion? I use binder clips for all kinds of applications in and out of our home. Medium size are for securing chip bags, large and XL I use for temporary holding on projects, and the XL hold secure any seasonal things without having to staple, drill, or screw. A few of the XL along the top and bottom edges would secure the fly paper on both sides. I’m going to try out your board system modified for our chicken run. The sun is brutal in SW NM so it probably gets incorporated into a shade device for their water and food containers. I’ve never posted photos or videos here, but maybe it’s time? Thank you for taking us along on your journey! You are so open and receptive to ideas. What also makes you more valid and valuable to us is you make follow-up videos on results. Congratulations, Mr. Morgan. P.S. Why are you moving your cattle twice a day? Maybe I mis-heard (pun intended!)…

[@ipkandskill]

I just watched the last fly video. Congratz on the weight loss!

[@cthulhukc7six6six37]

Right on, great information and insight

[@JoeyBlogs007]

Perhaps one of those mini wheely bins, might be an upgrade if you need to manage more flies due to more cows. Just wrap the fly paper around that instead. With that said, I think more dead flies will attract more flies, so there might be an optimal bin size, based on the number of cattle being farmed. If the fly saturation accumulates too slowly per unit area, you might not quite get the same attraction power. Flies have remarkable sensory abilities that allow them to detect and locate rotting matter. If the same number of dead flies are scattered over a larger area, then the flies will not be able to hone in on one particular area so effectively and of course it would mean more fly traps everywhere ( being costly ), so concentrating the fly trap in one area near the cows makes sense. Seems to me that the fly trap itself is acting like a magnet fly attractor, not just a trap. 😂

[@dreamingofsailing757]

I would try using large binder clips or a staple gun on your fly paper on the board. ( like they use to hold down paper targets at a shooting range) To hold it down so the wind doesn't fold it over. It's always fun watching your videos. Keep them coming Thank you

[@brianwagner8291]

I used to work in pesticide spraying, there are some "All natural" sources of deterrent; Lemongrass and Peppermint concentrates were most effective. Also insects can be attracted to different colors, maybe the red trash can is more effective than a black trash can might be, maybe painting those wood traps a brighter color could change the results, adding solar light to attract them at night? I find this whole video, though incredibly random to my life, quite refreshing.

[@ShellyZadorozny-cb2cg]

What a beautiful shot of the farm from the drone with fog in background

[@ShellyZadorozny-cb2cg]

Did you send up drone knowly that you may get such shot or did you luck out

[@grampa_ahah]

I'm not a farmer nor do I currently work on a farm. But you are smart and motivated by your concern for having healthy and happy cows. BTW I've shoveled my share...

[@nicholasmoran930]

Have you considered using beneficial nematodes in the soil? They can attack egg and larval stages of flies along with many other soil-dwelling and early stages of pests, like ticks. I have used the SF and HB varieties very affectively for gnat control and to help with thrips.

[@Habeebea]

Being by the water is why it worked. Concentrates the cows and it has a better chance to get the flies.

[@Dovietail]

🐦‍⬛🪺🐦🦇🧚🏻‍♀️ MARTIN HOUSE! BARN SWIFTS! BAT HOUSES! WREN HOUSES! SONGBIRD FEEDERS! HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS! Yes, they eat flies, too. 🧚🏻‍♀️ 🐦‍⬛🪺🐦🦇!!!

[@greeneyeswideopen774]

I have watched this channel from the very beginning. You look fantastically healthy!

[@jimputnam2044]

One trap was handy the water as well, that makes a difference. Flies love to hang around the water hole.

[@lukelints9776]

So, for the bucket bait, use a couple eggs, yeast, sugar, water, and mix it all together using a power drill with a mixing attachment. It’s a secret recipe a farmer shared with me, super cheap.

[@jb_8860]

Not sure if intentional, but it seems a good idea to keep the fly trap near the water. That way the cows come for a drink and bring their flys over for the opportunity to meet the fly paper. And I think you could make a mobile fly trapper… a little triangle thingy made of scraps with a rope that’s easy to drag.

[@captainandthelady]

Have you ever thought about getting the state forester to look at your wood lot and maybe selective harvesting then replanting the trees you took out?

[@SageOfThunder]

Flies LOVE red. Might be why the trash cans did better than the scrap trap. Would be interesting to see if painting red on the new ones does anything.

[@juliemcgugan1244]

The bag traps I use have a red lid, too. Put it out and within about 20 mins, the thing is heaving. I only one one per 20 foot area around my property, per year, as you can buy the refill bait, so adding a new bait and refilling the water in each is not difficult or too unpleasant. All are a good distance away from the house, so no bad smells blowing in either!

[@Bolverkr13]

You could use a larger can with a lid to put the paper on, then you could just put the used paper inside. When it's full, give it a good soak with the hose and compress the waste to save room in your dumpster

[@Lonesome__Dove]

Looks like they're both effective and i think no matter how u set up the sticky traps it'll do the job.

[@TravelingSag]

Wonder if bat boxes put on the edge of the woods there would help with the flies?

[@gmoo84]

For a free version of the first style use an old pop/soda type bottle and cut the top 1/4 or so off and invert it into the bottom section. Put some water and viniger or whatever will attract flys into the bottom making sure there is a gap before the top section of the bottle. The flys will funnel down towards the water and not be able to get out.

[@N.a.n.c.y-K]

Noticed that your board fly trap placed near the water trough attracted a lot of the flies, good plan. Storms indeed can ruin testing. Perhaps some spring clothespins could help secure the paper ends and top on the board.

[@Traveler1959]

We use same fly paper. We found that using tape to secure it to our painted black boards.. works.

[@Dovietail]

I hope you released that trapped wasp. They feed fly larvae to their nymphs.

[@bethanytalbot2445]

Morgan: "omg I think I'm gonna be sick look at all these flies 🤢" Also Morgan: *VERY zoomed-in, prolonged shot of all the dead gross crispy flies* 🙃😅