The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: geebee on June 03, 2011, 07:59:30 pm

Title: Red Top
Post by: geebee on June 03, 2011, 07:59:30 pm
I was thinking of getting Red Top fly traps. Has/does anyone use them? and how effective are they?
Title: Re: Red Top
Post by: Hopewell on June 03, 2011, 08:09:53 pm
We've used them for a few years now and find them very good. The bait in them that attracts the flies also attracts rats and cats find it tasty to, so just need to be careful where you store the unused ones.
Title: Re: Red Top
Post by: DJ_Chook on June 03, 2011, 08:10:49 pm
Excellent but very expensive. A home made fly trap filled with sprite/7up with a dash of fairy works just as well.
Title: Re: Red Top
Post by: jaykay on June 03, 2011, 08:47:13 pm
We've used RedTops, they are very effective!
Title: Re: Red Top
Post by: geebee on June 03, 2011, 10:02:19 pm
Thanks everyone. I've ordered one, probably more effective when you have more, but am hoping it will make around the hen house a bit more user friendly. Going away for 2 weeks & leaving Mum & son to cope. Bad planning having 11  new chicks ::)  Will just blame my daughter for planning her new baby to arrive now! ;D
Title: Re: Red Top
Post by: Sylvia on June 03, 2011, 11:00:35 pm
Excellent but very expensive. A home made fly trap filled with sprite/7up with a dash of fairy works just as well.

Do you put it in a jam jar or is it more complicated than that? :-\
Title: Re: Red Top
Post by: DJ_Chook on June 04, 2011, 10:52:40 am
Excellent but very expensive. A home made fly trap filled with sprite/7up with a dash of fairy works just as well.

Do you put it in a jam jar or is it more complicated than that? :-\

If I could sus out how to upload a pic I would show you but I am dim, so here is a description. Take 1 empty plastic bottle, cut around it 1/3 down and turn the opening end inside of the lower part. To create  a funnel down towards the liquid. Staple/duct tape together. There are loads of videos on YouTube showing how it's done... probably better than how I explained it.

The flies seem to find the sweet sickly 7up or sprite soda drinks delicious. I suppose the downside is that the bees also love this drink.
Title: Re: Red Top
Post by: geebee on June 04, 2011, 01:57:47 pm
will try making some of those too, hopefully the bees will be too busy at the other end of the garden with the flowers!