How to Get Rid of Flies Around a Birdfeeder

The most important step in eliminating flies is to eliminate their breeding source. If flies are breeding near the bird feeder, you should take steps to clean up the area, then perform routine maintenance to prevent their return. This should keep the area pest-free, and provide the birds with a safe and attractive place to eat.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Newspapers
• Flypaper
• Disposable gloves
• Trash bag or sack
• Bleach
• Water source
• Old bottle or vegetable brush
• Diatomaceous earth and disposable dust mask

1. Clean the bird feeder thoroughly. The feeder should be cleaned once a week. Fill a bucket with nine parts water, one part bleach.
2. Place the empty bird feeder into the bucket of bleach water and use an old bottle or vegetable brush to scrub the feeder, paying special attention to the corners where seeds can become lodged.
3. Rinse the feeder with a garden hose, or dunk it and swish around in a bucket of fresh water. Allow to dry while you finish cleaning the bird feeding area.
4. Check the ground around the feeder closely, looking for breeding sources for fly larvae. Flies feed on manure, dead animals and rotting food. Look to make sure a dead bird isn't lying nearby. If you find a dead bird, dispose of it while wearing gloves by placing into a trash bag and into your outdoor trash can. Dispose of the gloves. Make certain the lid is sealed.
5. Using a broom, rake and/or shovel, clean up spilled bird seed and bird droppings that have accumulated under the feeder. Wear disposable gloves to do this and place gathered waste into a trash bag. Dispose of waste bag into your outdoor trash can, along with your soiled gloves.
6. To temporarily catch flies near the feeder, place a fly trap or flypaper nearby in a convenient area. Dispose of after the flies have completed their breeding cycle and the problem is under control.
7. Diatomaceous earth may be sprinkled underneath the feeder into the lawn to kill any larvae that may still be present. This organic powder, made of crushed microscopic shells, will kill fly larvae, adult flies and other insects, but will not harm the birds, even if consumed.
8. For easier waste cleanup, a layer of newspapers may be placed under the feeder and weighed down with a brick or rock. Simply roll up, place in waste bag and dispose. Don't forget the gloves!
9. To prevent the spread of disease among the birds, you should clean the feeder and area weekly and inspect for other sources of breeding areas. This will keep the area clean and safe for the birds, and will keep flies from breeding in the future.

Tips & Warnings

• When purchasing diatomaceous earth, make sure it is feed grade. Avoid the type that is labeled for use in swimming pools.
• Clean bird feeders and surrounding area every week.
• Many birds eat insects and are important tools in battling insect populations.
• Always wear disposable gloves when handling bird waste
• If birds around your feeder appear ill, stop feeding for a week
• If you start to see dead birds, call your local health department
• When using diatomaceous earth, always wear a dust mask; it is safe to consume but should not be inhaled for extended periods of time
• Insect sprays and other pesticides should never be used around an area set aside for bird feeding