Chicken Bug Patrol

We are fortunate enough to get some excess fruits and veggies from our local Newtown Farmer's Market. Today we got

several boxes of corn trimmings and we love them!! 

Our little chicks are having a great time! 

Patrolling the Backyard!! Working hard Girls!! 

What Can we find? 

http://www.cattletoday.com/archive/2010/April/CT2217.php

Not sure at first, checking out the goods!



  Chickens eat bugs, all bugs. The neighborhood has less flies due to the chickens eating the flies.  This summer has been very wet and rainy multiplying the insect population.  But due to our manure which is filled with fly predators that destroy the fly population by destroying the larva and due to our chickens there are actually less flies in the neighborhood this summer. Our farm is a fly killing machine.

Houseflies and stable flies on your farm can generally be reduced by a combination of diligent clean-up—not letting manure and old hay/bedding build up to create breeding sites--and use of parasitic wasps. These tiny wasps lay their eggs in the manure and their larvae feed on the fly larvae.

Manure and wasted hay should be removed daily from stalls and pens. It can be spread thinly for quick drying, or composted in a covered pile. Properly composted organic material gets hot enough during the fermentation/breakdown process to kill fly eggs and larvae.

https://www.spalding-labs.com/products/fly_control_products/fly_control_for_horses/p/what_are_fly_predators.aspx

Just What Are Fly Predators?

Fly Predators are nature’s own enemy of all common manure and rotting organic matter breeding pest flies, including the common house fly, horn fly, biting stable fly and lesser house fly. In the natural environment Fly Predators serve as a major check of pest fly populations by destroying the next generation of flies in their immature pupa (cocoon) stage. Fly Predators are tiny, completely biteless and stingless. They never become a pest themselves. Because of their small size and the fact they live their entire life cycle on or near manure (where the pest fly pupa are typically found), Fly Predators go virtually unnoticed.

        Is anyone tired of Mr Nosy Neighbor yet?  No. You know why?  He is helping us educate people!  He is such a blessing and a God send. I don't think we could go on without him now.
 He is the driving force for God's Little Acres Urban Farming group which is reuniting the community and the nation. It is a great resource for support, knowledge, and a way for each of us to  educate so many  people on the easiness and benefits of doing everything yourselves!
   https://www.facebook.com/groups/Godslittleacresurbanfarming/    Join today! Be apart of the  future and restoring the earth to clean air, clean water, clean soil.   God created the earth clean, let's keep it clean!

Swampy woods

      As new farmers we realize that some people are just ignorant of the natural process of nature.  We are willing to educate anyone who really has serious concerns for their child's health.  The best thing for the neighborhood is for our neighbors to clear their woods out and drain their creek.  Their creek is pooled with all kinds of standing water naturally attracting flies, mosquitoes, and an myriad of different insect into their yard.





        Most of the flies that are in our area have come from the 1/2 acre wooded area on their property.  With all the rain we have had this summer their swamp area inside the woods can not dry up, it gets stagnate and is the breeding ground for the flies. We also have a creek but we keep it free from debris and dug out deep enough to drain the slopes on the sides of it.  All our water sources are kept chlorinated to be insect free.

Our neighbors have to first deal with their environmental conditions on their own land.


1. Scoop dog poop every day:
       During warm weather, blow flies breed most commonly on decayed carcasses and droppings of dogs or other pets. They can be found in homes that are near a carcass of a dead squirrel, rodent or bird.

WORM-LIKE ORGANISMS IN STOOL MAY NOT BE TAPEWORMS

Worm-like creatures in dog feces may be intestinal parasites, such as tapeworms, but fly larvae, also known as maggots, can rapidly colonize fresh fecal piles, often confusing owners, writes veterinarian Jeff Kahler. Dogs acquire tapeworms from fleas that carry tapeworm eggs, so treatment for tapeworms includes medicine to kill the worms and flea treatment to rid the dog of fleas. Fly larvae in feces are easily prevented — just promptly clean up after dogs, notes Dr.  http://www.animalhealthfoundation.net/blog/2012/06/worm-like-organisms-in-stool-may-not-be-tapeworms/

2. Clear the creek out so it flows, and drains properly and quickly. Sunshine and air flow will help dry out the water soaked landscape.

Water stagnation occurs when water stops flowing. Stagnant water can be a major environmental hazard.^[1] it can cause mosquitoes to breed and reproduce that may lead todengue.^{[citation needed]}

Insects

Stagnant water is the favorite breeding ground for a number of insects.

• Dragonfly nymphs
• Fly maggots
• Mosquito larvae
• Nepidae (water scorpions)

Health Problems Related To Standing Water

There are many dangers when it comes to standing water. Stagnant water is a favorite breeding place for mosquitoes, dragonflies and flies in general. People rarely disturb standing water which allows the insect larvae to grow into adults.

http://www.mamashealth.com/environmentalhealth/standingwater.asp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_stagnation