Using cultural control methods involves manipulating the environment to reduce insect pest populations. The most economical method for suppressing stable fly populations is sanitation.
In confined animal facilities, a top priority should be to eliminate stable fly breeding sites as often as possible. To do this, remove and spread decomposing vegetation or bedding material that has become mixed with urine and feces. Doing so will allow the material to dry faster and prevent colonization by the stable fly.
This practice can also be implemented for range cattle. During the winter, hay bales are often provided as food for cattle. However, over the course of the winter, the sites where hay bales have been placed become ideal stable fly breeding areas. To reduce stable fly populations on the range, implement the same cultural practices as for confined animal
facilities.
Another tactic for confined animal areas is to design the stalls to allow for complete manure removal and drainage. Also, clean out the wet feed remaining in the ends of troughs at least weekly, because it can serve as a breeding site for flies.
For small to moderate fly populations of adult flies, sticky ribbons and other mechanical methods are effective. However, if used alone, these methods will not substantially reduce fly numbers. Another drawback is that such materials must be changed every 1 to 2 weeks because they dry out, become coated with dust or become “saturated” with flies.
Source: Jeffery K. Tomberlin, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist, The Texas A&M University System