Regulators move to limit wildlife deaths from misuse of deadly fly killer

Science ^ | Feb 18, 2016 | Nala Rogers

[bkopto]

The fly bait companies opposed that solution, however, and instead reached a compromise with EPA in April 2015. By early 2017, the agreement calls for the companies to stop distributing methomyl fly baits to general retailers such as hardware stores, and to stop making small containers. Farm supply stores will still be able to sell larger 4.5- and 18-kilogram containers, which will come with new warning labels and explanatory pamphlets. The companies and EPA plan to monitor reports of misuse through 2020, and further restrict use to licensed applicators if incidents aren’t “significantly reduced.”

The maker of one of the products, Golden Malrin, says the arrangement makes sense. “[Golden Malrin] is an important tool in reducing fly populations which have the potential to spread disease to livestock and humans,” wrote Mark Newberg, a representative for Wellmark International in Schaumburg, Illinois, which produces Golden Malrin, in an email. “We did what was asked of us by the EPA to keep the product available as a fly insecticide.”

Some observers, however, have questions about the new warning labels. The red raccoon symbol is meant to be eye-catching, and according to EPA it means “not for use on raccoons.” But in some people’s eyes, it looks more like it is advertising the chemical as a good way to get rid of raccoons.

[rockinqsranch]

I’ve been killing flies for awhile now. Horses, and flies go together like....whatever. My corrals aren’t the source of flies anymore, and haven’t been for a long time. Some flies manage to get by. I clean the corrals everyday, and spray them down with Permethrin 38.6 spray. It works. As far as fly bait I find the Maxforce the best. I make my own bait stations that only flies, and bugs in general can get into.

Life is so much better when one keeps the place cleaned up, sprayed, and baited. Flies suck.

[To Hell With Poverty]

What are these predators? Here in NW Arkansas it’s fly hell!

[Cold Heart]

Spalding Labs sells a fly predator that is a very tiny, harmless to humans and pets, fly larva killing wasp.

You subscribe for shipments or order one time as needed.
Comes in packets of wasp pupae which you scatter around your property, particularly in areas of manure. The wasps hatch and seek out areas where flies have laid their eggs. The wasp hatches into larvae which eat the fly larvae.