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Releasing
Fly Parasites PO Box 1555, Ventura, CA 93002 800-248-2847 *
805-643-5407 * fax 805-643-6267 questions bugnet@rinconvitova.com
orders orderdesk@rinconvitova.com www.rinconvitova.com |
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Putting parasites out
These parasitic wasps
arrive developing inside the fly pupa. When fully grown, they cut a hole in the
pupa case and exit as adults searching for more fly pupa. The date on the bag
is an estimated emergence date.
A small handful or
spoonful of the parasitized fly pupae in wood shavings is sprinkled either on
manure or in furrows and lightly covered to protect from birds. Place the
parasites where they will not be trampled by animals and in dryer areas near
fly breeding sites (where you find maggots). The maggots move from wet spots to
dryer areas nearby to pupate. The widest possible dispersal is best.
Release Stations
Release
stations provide a protected area where the fly parasites can emerge from their
pupas safe from being trampled by animals, eaten by birds, ground beetles and
soil mites, or rotting in decomposing food or manure. Release stations help you
get the most from the parasites you buy. Rincon-Vitova produces a semi-rigid
plastic mesh cylinder that can be hung or strapped to posts or fences. You can also
use cans, flower pots, plastic tubs, or mesh bags. You want the station to shed
water, drain water and have holes for the fly parasites to leave (1/16 inch
minimum). When your fly parasites arrive, hold them until they are hatching,
then place a small amount in each release station.
Priority release
sites are in and around coops, kennels, barns, stables, and stalls, with
special attention to hospital and calf pens on dairies, below mangers in horse
stalls, and around feed bunks on feedlots. Place also around corral posts,
fence lines, paddock areas, and other dropping sites, at the edges of manure
piles, pits or carts, and wherever manure accumulates. Other fly-breeding areas
are near (but never directly in) water sources, and near decomposing matter, garbage
cans and septic tanks.
Handling of parasites
Fly parasites must
not be left in direct sunlight or hot areas. If ordered fresh, they may be held
at 70º to 80º F, increasing to 85º F for more rapid emergence; otherwise, they
are emerging and ready to release within a day or two. Cold storage shortens
life and may harm reproduction. Avoid chemical sprays within 48 hours of
release. Rincon-Vitova offers screen mesh packaging for hanging in barns where
floors are washed regularly or predation by rodents is likely.
Monitoring effectiveness
To assess the
parasitism of fly pupae in manure, fly pupae can be separated from the manure
by flotation. Agitation will float the pupae to the surface. Pupae that are old
enough to have been exposed to parasitic wasps change from reddish to dark
brown. Up to ten percent of these will not develop into flies. Those yielding
flies have the end of the pupal case broken off. Neatly cut escape holes are
evidence of parasitism. Check 100 dark brown pupae in a week for parasitism and
dead intact pupae to get parasitism rate and possible parasite-induced
mortality rate.
Since adult flies are
the pests, a reduction in the number of adult flies is the best measure of a
successful integrated fly control program. Fly tapes hung to attract and count
changes in adult fly population work best. Also placement of plain 3 X 5 index
cards near fly nesting areas (as indicated by specking) can be used to monitor
relative changes in fly populations. Date card and change at regular intervals
such as weekly.
To
release the fly parasites, keep them in a warm place, about 70 to 80 degrees,
and check for them hatching by simply opening the paper bag and looking for the
ant sized parasites moving around the bag. The parasites should emerge within 7
days.
When
you see several crawling inside the bag, sprinkle the contents in the fly
breeding area, usually in manure piles or moist areas. Fly parasites are
packaged in 'colonies' of 10,000 or minimum orders of 5,000. Most customers
receive shipments at intervals of 2 to 4 weeks.
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provides protected container for fly parasite wasps to
emerge from pupae (emerge over 3 week period) ·
protects parasites from trampling or being eaten by birds
scratching in manure ·
fly parasites exit through plastic mesh ·
made of tough plastic mesh resists weather ·
low risk of animal injury Place
release stations every 50 to 100 feet. Attach
with tape or strap to pole or post, or hang 3 – 5 feet above ground. Lift
lid, place a tablespoon or two of bulk fly parasites into the container each
time shipment arrives. When
release station is full, empty it and start over. If
ants find the station, coat the post with a 2 inch band of Stikem ant barrier
above and below the station. |
Mounting Notes
hook bail
through a cross beam on fence post, hook on nail on wall, use wire hook on nail
or screw on wall
Use strap to
bind to post or fence. Lid can be easily removed and for periodic dumping,
slide mesh cylinder through cable tie.