fly control in the outdoor kitchen

[dfucinaro]

does anyone have any ideas for fly control while having pizza parties in the outdoor pizza kitchen / dining / living areas. during several pizza parties last year, the fly problem got disgusting. would like to do better in 2009. located in omaha nebraska away from the city on a small horse acreage.

[BaconGrease]

Re: fly control in the outdoor kitchen

we have some days when the fly's really get going, on those days I find it key to keep all the food covered as much as possible. We have some fans that we bring out as well. I've used some citronella stake candles which I think work (at least in my imagination)

[Rastys]

Re: fly control in the outdoor kitchen

dfucinaro
I bought a bug and fly trap which worked OK just, and the other week I also got a commercial 60w 3 UV fluoro bug zapper which is mounted over and a little behind the pizza assembly area. We haven't had any fly problems to try them both out but will see how they go over the Easter break.

Rastys

[CajunKnight]

Re: fly control in the outdoor kitchen

RED PEPPER FLAKES (or cayenne pepper) scatter it on your deck sprinkle some every once in awhile your fire (while not cooking). it works. even works on fish docks.

[PizzaPolice]

Re: fly control in the outdoor kitchen

I have one of these. Way big fun!
DealExtreme: $7.87 Electronic Bug Zapper Racket

Outdoors, I'll use on of those food tents.
Food Tents - Barbeque - Outdoor Entertaining - Outdoor Living - Improvements Catalog

[james]

Re: fly control in the outdoor kitchen

We used to live near a horse area, and we would buy wasp parasites that lay their eggs on fly larvae. It seemed to keep the fly population down.
James

[Frances]

Re: fly control in the outdoor kitchen

A bug zapper, cool!

Never seen one of those... Now I know what to give my husband for his birthday, I'll bet he could have hours of fun!

[dmun]

Re: fly control in the outdoor kitchen

One thing (or one of many) I never got about Europe is that there are no window screens. I figured that the place was too classy to have flys.

[james]

Re: fly control in the outdoor kitchen

We rented a big old house outside Florence, and the previous renters were Americans who lived there while they renovated another house in the neighborhood.

And they had installed fly screens on all the windows (on their own nickel). What a luxury -- the mosquitoes were the biggest problem.

James

[Frances]

Re: fly control in the outdoor kitchen

One thing (or one of many) I never got about Europe is that there are no window screens. I figured that the place was too classy to have flys.

Har har! Sure, far too classy!

But its interesting that. No idea why it should be so...

Personally I think screens look ugly and would rather put up with the flies, but I'd be the first to admit thats a pretty stupid reason.

Does anyone know of some obscure historical fact about why Europeans don't have fly screens?

[Xabia Jim]

Re: fly control in the outdoor kitchen

One thing (or one of many) I never got about Europe is that there are no window screens. I figured that the place was too classy to have flys.

...they got 'em now...roll down type!

[Bartman]

Re: fly control in the outdoor kitchen

Another (cheap) technique... used by many ex-Aust Army
place a 'sacrificial' bowl of scraps (make sure there is a bit of meat or seafood)- away from main eating area... after waving flies away repeatedly (we call this 'the Aussie salute'), they will actually learn that a free feed is still available without the effort
You will still get the occassional intruder - but you'll be surprised at the effectiveness of this method to lure them away

[dfucinaro]

Re: fly control in the outdoor kitchen

Thanks to all who answered. I have settled on three methods so far:
1. the parasites that consume or destroy the fly larvae.
2. the fly bait container that attracts then traps the flies.
3. and yes I will try the cayenne pepper sprinkled on the deck.3

I will let everyone know how it goes this "pizza" season.
David

[dfucinaro]

Re: fly control in the outdoor kitchen

quick update:

the fly bait trap systems work good, have trapped several thousands (at least) of flies. the gnat parasites that eat the fly larvae also seems to be working as we have fewer barn flies at the horse barn, thus fewer flies at the pizza kitchen.