Natural ways to control bugs: Fight Nature with Nature Part 3 of 3

Trapping

by Alayne Blickle, Horses for Clean Water

Reducing chemical use in our lives as well as reducing the nuisance bug population on our horse properties is a healthy goal for each of us. In this series on green insect control, we conclude with some ideas for simple, non-insecticidal traps for insects, along with some resources where you can get more help.

Go Trapping
Several types of simple insect traps can be useful for reducing the flying insect population. Perhaps one of the cheapest and easiest is fly paper or tape. This is the old-fashioned type of sticky tape you uncoil and attach to the ceiling. The paper may or may not have an attractant; at any rate, the insects happen across it and get stuck. The disadvantage to these is when the tape accidentally falls into your hair or when your horse’s switching tail catches it. So use it, but choose your locations carefully!

Pheromone traps are simple containers with one-way lids. The traps are placed in barn areas where flies hang out. A small amount of pheromone solution, a natural substance to which flies are attracted, is placed in the container. The flies (and yellow jackets!) buzz into the jar, stay trapped and die. Traps are sold by different companies under various names, such as Trap-A-Fly, Venus Fly Trap and Fly Terminator. Some are jars, while others are bags you hang or sticky traps infused with pheromone attractants. Check farm and horse supply businesses, as well as catalogs.

Bait jars are another effective way to trap flies. You can make your own fly bait jars very cheaply and easily. Take an old mayonnaise or similarly sized jar and punch several holes through the lid. Put in a few pieces of raw hamburger or fish and about an inch or so of water in the bottom of the jar. Set the jar in a safe place where it won’t be stepped on, and very soon the flies--attracted by the smell of the meat--will make their way into the jar and eventually drown. The disadvantage to this method is that it can be smelly and particularly attractive to your household dogs, but it is a very useful method that your grandmother probably used on her farm!

Goodbye Bugs
The key point to keep in mind when trying to manage insects is to strive to reduce insect habitat, which is the mud and manure. After you have these under control, go after the bugs with birds, bats, fly parasites and insecticidal traps. Your farm will be different from ever before, and you will be helping to keep potentially harmful chemicals out of the environment!

Good luck and good horsekeeping to you.

WHERE TO GO FOR HELP

Fly Parasites
· Try an Internet search under the words “fly parasite”

Bird Nest Boxes
· The Original Birdhouse Book by Don McNeil
· Local chapters of the National Audubon Society (www.audubon.org)
· Local feed stores and wild bird supply stores

Bat Houses
· Try an Internet search for “bat house”
· Bat Conservation International (www.batcon.org)
· Your local extension office (see last item under mud and manure section below)
· Gardening supply catalogs and stores, local feed stores and wild bird supply stores

Fly Masks, Traps and Sprays
· Feed and tack stores and supply catalogs

Mud and Manure Technical Assistance
· Horses for Clean Water (classes, workshops, farm tours and more) www.HorsesforCleanWater.com or Alayne@horsesforcleanwater.com
· Your local Conservation District—do an Internet search for the county that you live in along with the words “conservation district”
· In many Western states, cooperative extension may be able to assist you in these areas. Locate their offices through your state’s land-grant university (if you have trouble locating them ask for help from your public library’s reference librarian).