F. C. Bishopp

“ In choosing a bait it should be remembered that it is largely the fermentation which renders the material attractive, and that baits are most attractive during their most active period of fermentation. As has been indicated, the kind of bait used should be governed by the species of flies the destruction of which is desired. This is most often the house fly. ”

“ In order to retain the fertilizing value of manure to the greatest extent, it is advisable to exclude the air from it as much as possible and to protect it from the leaching action of rains. This being the case, there is really no necessity to cover a large portion of the top of the box with a trap, but merely to have holes large enough to attract flies to the light and cover these holes with ordinary conical traps with the legs cut off so the bottom of the trap will fit closely to the box. ”

“ Where flies are abundant and the bait pans are properly attended to the traps should be emptied at weekly intervals. Where flies become piled high against the side of the cone, the catching power of the trap is considerably reduced. The destruction of the flies is best accomplished by immersing the trap in hot water or, still better, where a tight barrel is at hand place a few live coals in a pan on the ground, scatter two tablespoonfuls of sulphur over them, place the trap over the coals, and turn the barrel over the trap. ”

“ In the operation of flytraps in controlling the screw-worm it has not been found necessary, especially during hot weather, to kill the flies, as they die very rapidly within the traps. In order to empty a trap it may be inverted and the dead flies shaken down. As the living flies will naturally go upward, the door may then be removed and the dead flies shaken out, the door replaced, and the trap set upright without loss of many of the living flies. ”

“ Where large numbers of traps are to be constructed, and especially if they are to be used for trapping screw-worm flies on the range, it is desirable to make them with metal rather than wooden frames. Traps with galvanized-iron frames are now being used extensively on ranches in central and western Texas in combating the screw-worm fly. Mechanics may wish to vary details of construction from those given in the specifications, but the dimensions and general features of the trap should not be altered. ”

“ On dairy farms probably milk is next choice as a bait to cane-molasses solution, considering its convenience. The addition of ripe bananas or other fruit increases the attractiveness of the milk bait. The curd from milk, with one-half pound of brown sugar added for each pound, and water to make it thoroughly moist, is a very good bait and continues to be attractive for 10 days or longer if Kept moist. A mash consisting of one-half pound of bran, 1 quart of milk, 1 quart of water, 2 tablespoonfuls of brown sugar, and a yeast cake makes an attractive and lasting bait. ”

“ A packing-house product known as blood tankage is a good fly bait when used before drying and with molasses and water. Fish scraps or meat scraps, especially with molasses and water added, will attract all kinds of flies. Overripe or fermenting fruit such as watermelon rinds or crushed bananas often gives very satisfactory results. A combination of overripe bananas with milk is much more attractive than either one used separately. ”

“ F FLYTRAPS have a distinct place in the control of the house fly and other noxious fly species. There is a general tendency, however, for those engaged in combating flies to put too much dependence on the flytrap as a method of abating the nuisance. It should be borne in mind that flytrapping is only supplementary to other methods of control, most notable of which is the prevention of breeding either by completely disposing of breeding places or by treating the breeding material with chemicals. ”

“ The logical method of fly control is to prevent the multiplication of these pests by proper disposal of or treatment of their breeding places. The reader is therefore referred to Farmers' Bulletin 1408 for further information on house-fly control, to Farmers' Bulletin 1097 for various methods of combating the stable fly, and to Farmers' Bulletin 857 for additional measures to be used against the screw-worm fly and certain other blowflies injurious to livestock. ”

“ The construction of a cone of any given height or diameter is quite simple if the following method be observed. It is best to cut a pattern from a large piece of heavy paper, cardboard, or tin. Figure 3 illustrates the method of laying out a cone of the proper dimensions for the above trap. An ordinary square is placed on the material from which the pattern is to be cut ”

“ At the front of and at loading docks of meat-packing establishments, where house flies are troublesome and blowflies are usually not abundant, it is best to bait the traps with one of the house-fly baits listed above. ”

“ For the admission of the manure a good-sized door should be provided in either end of a large bin. A portion of the top should be made easily removable for convenience in emptying the box, or one entire end of the box may be hinged. On account of the danger of the door being left open through carelessness it is advisable to arrange a lift door which can be opened by placing the foot on a treadle as the manure is shoveled in. The door should be heavy enough to close automatically when the treadle is released.
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“ In setting traps a location should be chosen where flies naturally congregate. This is usually on the sunny side of a building out of the wind. In hot weather, however, traps should be placed so as to be in shade during midday. It is exceedingly important that the bait containers be kept well filled. This usually requires attention every other day. The bait pans should be washed out at rather frequent intervals. This gives a larger catch and avoids the danger of flies breeding in the material used for bait. ”

“ Nearly all are constructed with a dome instead of a cone, and on this account the catching power is reduced about one-third. Moreover, the farmer, dairyman, or anyone with a few tools can construct traps at a small fraction of the sale price of ready-made ones. ”

“ Take 2 pounds of rosin and 1 pint of castor oil; heat together until it looks like molasses. Take an ordinary paintbrush and smear while hot on any kind of paper—an old newspaper is good—and place several about the room. ”

“ The trap consists essentially of a screen cylinder with a frame made of barrel hoops, in the bottom of which is inserted a screen cone. The height or the cylinder is 24 inches, the diameter 18 inches, and the cone is 22 inches high, and 18 inches in diameter at the base. ”