Hey there fellow chicken keepers! If you’ve ever walked into your coop only to be greeted by a cloud of buzzing flies you know exactly why I’m writing this post. Last summer, the fly situation in my coop got so bad I nearly needed a welding helmet just to collect eggs!
After trying practically everything under the sun (including some old wives’ tales that had me hanging plastic baggies of water from the rafters) I’ve finally figured out what actually works to keep these pesky insects at bay.
Let’s dive into the most effective strategies to keep your chicken coop fly-free and your sanity intact!
Why Are Flies Attracted to Chicken Coops?
Before we jump into solutions, it helps to understand why flies love your chicken coop so much:
- Manure: Let’s face it – chickens poop A LOT, and flies absolutely love it
- Moisture: Wet bedding, spilled water, and damp areas are perfect breeding grounds
- Food: Spilled feed and food scraps are an all-you-can-eat buffet for flies
- Warmth: Coops provide the ideal temperature for flies to thrive and reproduce
Now that we know what we’re dealing with, let’s tackle this problem head-on!
17 Effective Ways to Keep Flies Away from Your Chicken Coop
1. Keep That Coop Clean!
This might seem obvious, but regular cleaning is your first line of defense. I’ve found that cleaning more frequently in summer months makes a huge difference.
What to focus on:
- Remove wet bedding immediately
- Clean under roosts daily (where most poop accumulates)
- Use a droppings board under roosts for easy daily cleaning
- Turn over dry bedding regularly to keep it fresh
2. Try the Deep Litter Method
The deep litter method has been a game-changer for me. Instead of completely cleaning out bedding, you add fresh layers on top and allow the bottom layers to compost in place.
When done correctly, this creates beneficial bacteria that actually helps break down waste and control odors that attract flies. Just make sure to turn it regularly!
3. Feed Scraps Outside the Coop (Never Inside!)
I made this mistake for years! Feeding kitchen scraps inside the coop is basically setting up a fly invitation. Now I always:
- Feed scraps outside in the run
- Clean up any leftovers before they start to rot
- Limit treats to what chickens can finish in one sitting
- Use a treat dispenser rather than throwing scraps on the ground
4. Use Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Food-grade diatomaceous earth is my secret weapon. This powder is made from fossilized remains of tiny aquatic organisms and works mechanically to dry out insects.
How to use DE safely:
- Sprinkle it around the coop and in bedding
- Add it to dust bathing areas
- Wear a mask when applying (it can irritate lungs)
- Let dust settle before allowing chickens back in
- Remember: only use FOOD-GRADE DE, never the pool filter kind!
5. Try Fly Predators
These tiny beneficial insects are completely harmless to humans and chickens but deadly to flies. They eat fly pupae before they can hatch into adult flies.
I started using these last year and noticed a dramatic reduction in flies within just a few weeks. The key is to:
- Release them monthly during warm months
- Place them near manure piles (but where chickens can’t eat them)
- Start early in the season before fly populations explode
6. Hang Water Bags (It Works, I Swear!)
This sounds crazy, but many chicken keepers (including me) have had success with this old trick:
- Fill gallon-sized freezer bags halfway with water
- Drop in 2-3 pennies
- Hang by doorways and entrances to the coop
The theory is that flies see the reflections as predator eyes or webs. I was skeptical too, but give it a try – you might be surprised!
7. Make Essential Oil Fly Repellent Spray
This DIY spray not only repels flies but makes your coop smell amazing:
Homemade Fly Repellent Recipe:
- 2 cups vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons vanilla extract
- 40 drops essential oils (mix of any: peppermint, lavender, lemongrass, citronella, rosemary)
Spray this mixture around doorways and windows where flies tend to congregate. Reapply after rain or every few days.
8. Grow Fly-Repelling Plants Nearby
These plants naturally repel flies and can be planted around your coop:
- Lavender
- Basil
- Mint
- Rosemary
- Marigolds
- Citronella
I’ve planted lavender and rosemary bushes all around my coop, and it definitely helps (plus they smell wonderful).
9. Use Fly Traps and Fly Strips
Sometimes you need to go on the offensive! Strategic placement of fly traps can dramatically reduce populations.
The Captivator Fly Trap is incredibly effective – just be sure to place it at least 30 feet from your coop to draw flies AWAY, not attract more to the area.
Hang fly strips in areas where flies congregate, but make sure they’re out of reach of curious chickens!
10. Keep It Dry
Flies love moisture, so eliminating wet areas is crucial:
- Fix leaky waterers immediately
- Use nipple waterers instead of open troughs
- Consider removing waterers from the coop at night
- Ensure proper drainage around the coop
- Add a roof over your run to prevent rain from soaking bedding
11. Improve Ventilation
Good airflow helps dry out moisture and reduce odors:
- Install windows or vents (with predator-proof screening)
- Consider adding small fans in summer months
- Make sure there’s adequate space above roosts for air circulation
12. Use Sand as Bedding
Sand has been my absolute favorite bedding material for controlling flies. It:
- Dries quickly after getting wet
- Doesn’t decompose like straw or pine shavings
- Can be “scooped” like cat litter for easy poop removal
- Lasts much longer than other bedding types
13. Hang Herbs in the Coop
Fresh or dried herbs not only repel flies but can improve your chickens’ health:
- Hang bundles of rosemary, lavender, or mint from rafters
- Add dried herbs to nesting boxes
- Mix herbs into bedding material
14. Consider Vanilla-Scented Air Fresheners
This trick sounds weird, but many chicken keepers swear by it! Hang vanilla-scented car air fresheners (the tree-shaped kind) around your coop. For some reason, flies hate the smell!
15. Move Your Compost Pile Far Away
If you compost your chicken manure, make sure the pile is far from the coop. A nearby compost pile just gives flies more real estate to breed.
To reduce flies in your compost:
- Cover fresh materials with browns (leaves, straw)
- Turn the pile regularly
- Consider a closed composting system
16. Try Fly-Repelling Ducks
If you have space, consider adding ducks to your flock. Some duck breeds actively hunt and eat flies and their larvae! Plus, they’re fun to watch and lay delicious eggs.
17. Use Portable Coops or Chicken Tractors
Moving your chickens to fresh ground regularly prevents manure buildup and disrupts the fly breeding cycle. If permanent coops aren’t working for you, consider a chicken tractor you can move every few days.
What Didn’t Work For Me
In the interest of saving you time and money, here are a few methods I tried that didn’t make much difference:
- Vanilla extract sprayed directly on surfaces – evaporated too quickly
- Commercial chemical fly sprays – worked briefly but I worried about my chickens’ health
- Citronella candles – minimal impact and fire hazard concerns
- Ultrasonic repellers – flies didn’t seem to notice or care!
Final Thoughts
Keeping flies away from your chicken coop is definitely an ongoing battle, but combining several of these methods has made a huge difference for my flock and my sanity. Remember that what works best may vary depending on your climate, coop setup, and how many chickens you have.
I’ve found that a multi-faceted approach works best – clean regularly, use DE and sand bedding, hang some herbs and water bags, and maybe invest in some fly predators. The combination will be much more effective than any single method alone.
Got any other fly-fighting tips that have worked for your coop? I’d love to hear about them in the comments!
Happy chicken keeping, and here’s to fewer flies in your future!
Step 1: Tidy Up the Coop
The first thing that had to be done to get rid of flies in the chicken coop was to thoroughly clean and lay down fresh bedding in the coop and run.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: you can’t out-trap a messy coop. The first and most important step is tidying up the environment the flies are feasting on.
- Scoop droppings regularly: I have a droppings board under the roost. I call it my poop deck. I started cleaning this more frequently, and it was a game changer.
- Keep bedding dry: Wet or compacted litter is a fly magnet. I fluff and replace the bedding more often in summer.
- Clean waterers and feeders: Spilled feed and damp areas around the waterer create prime fly real estate.
- Collect eggs daily: Broken eggs can quickly attract flies (and encourage egg eating by your hens, which is a whole different problem).
Keeping things dry and clean won’t eliminate every fly, but it will take away their favorite breeding grounds.
How to Rid Your Chicken Coop of Flies (and Keep Them Away!)
After extensive and rather disgusting research, I discovered that we had three different types of flies occupying our land: cluster flies, bottle flies, and house flies. Because they were all different, there was no one solution to get rid of them.
I read that bottle flies are attracted to “filth” and cringed when I realized we had plenty of that to go around. Chicken poop galore up in that place.
Remedies to Keep Flies Out of Your Chicken Run!
FAQ
How to keep flies out of chicken coop?
This is an obvious one, but if you want to keep the flies out of your chicken coop then the best way is to keep it clean. Use a bit of apple cider vinegar (as opposed to harsh, potentially harmful chemicals), and give the coop a thorough cleaning every few weeks. This includes making sure that you change the birds’ bedding regularly. 2.
How do you get rid of flies in a coop?
The droppings can be cleaned off and disposed of every morning, eliminating them completely. Check frequently if there is wet feed or stagnant water in or around your coop. Make sure you remove wet bedding and replace it with fresh bedding often to keep the adult flies from reproducing in your coop.
How do you get rid of flies in chickens?
Use fly traps, whether store-bought or homemade, to quickly reduce the number of adult flies. Introduce beneficial insects and let your chickens forage to disrupt the flies’ life cycle. Sprinkle diatomaceous earth in the bedding and nesting boxes to dehydrate and kill fly larvae.
Are flies a problem in chicken coops?
When keeping chickens or other animals, flies are an expected nuisance, and steps should be taken to reduce the overall fly population to limit the risks they pose to chickens. The key to eliminating a fly problem is maintaining a dry, clean coop and run.
Are fly traps safe for chickens?
Most fly traps, both store-bought and homemade, are safe to use around chickens. This means no harmful chemicals go into the chickens’ space. These traps have a sticky surface that flies get stuck on when they land. Hang them where flies are most active. Replace regularly when full of flies.
How do you keep flies from laying eggs?
For nesting boxes, put a light diatomaceous earth layer at the bottom before adding nesting stuff. This helps stop fly larvae and other bugs from growing there. Use diatomaceous earth in the chicken run, sprinkling it on areas with many flies. Focus on damp spots where flies may lay eggs.
How do I keep flies away from my chicken coop?
To keep flies away from your chicken coop, focus on cleanliness by regularly removing manure, food scraps, and damp bedding, and keep feed and water sources dry. You can also use natural deterrents like aromatic herbs (mint, lavender, rosemary) and vanilla air fresheners, or try diatomaceous earth in the bedding. Consider installing screens on windows for ventilation and incorporating fly traps or fans to reduce the fly population.
Can I spray peppermint oil in my chicken coop?
Avoid direct spraying near animals; use peppermint oil only in well-ventilated areas away from pets.Dec 22, 2024
What kills flies and is safe for chickens?
Mix food-grade diatomaceous earth in with fresh bedding and litter. Flies that come in contact with it will dehydrate and die. Certain plants can efficiently repel flies. Lavender, rosemary, and mint are safe and beneficial for chickens.
What smell can keep flies away?
Flies hate strong, natural scents, especially from essential oils of lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemongrass, as well as herbs like basil, rosemary, and bay leaves. Other repelling smells include citronella, cloves, cinnamon, and citrus. These scents interfere with a fly’s sensory system, making them a useful natural way to deter flies from entering your home or bothering you outdoors.