TY - JOUR AU - Mullens, Bradley A. AU - Hinkle, Nancy C. AU - Szijj, Coralie E. AU - Kuney, Douglas R. TI - Managing manure and conserving predators helps control flies in caged-layer poultry systems JF - California Agriculture JO - Calif Agr Y1 - 2001/09/01 VL - 55 IS - 5 SP - 26 EP - 30 PB - University of California Agriculture and Nature Resources SN - 0008-0845 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.3733/ca.v055n05p26 L3 - 10.3733/ca.v055n05p26 AB - As the rural-urban interface expands, controlling flies has become increasingly important on California poultry farms. Manure management is a critical component of keeping fly populations in check. Recent research demonstrates that the dry pad left behind after manure cleanouts in cagedlayer poultry systems aids manure drying because of the elevation and improved airflow. Most mites and beetles that prey on fly eggs and larvae are removed in a cleanout, although predator populations require longer than flies to recover. Leaving undisturbed manure (with a larger number of predators) adjacent to recently removed manure did not improve fly control significantly in open-sided layer houses, but might be more important in fully enclosed houses.