The Ultimate Guide to Starbar® Baits
If you manage a barn or livestock or run a commercial agricultural operation, you already know the frustrating reality of a fly infestation. They aren't just annoying; they are major disease vectors and are a constant source of stress for livestock.
While fly traps are great for catching pests on the move, fly baits are the tactical weapon you need to target them where they feed. Let's break down how the Starbar® line of fly baits works and how to use them effectively to reclaim your space.
1. Meet the Starbar® Bait Lineup
Different setups require different approaches. Starbar® offers several targeted formulas:
- QuikStrike® Fly Bait: True to its name, this ready-to-use scatter formula kills nuisance house flies quickly. It's a staple for farms, stables, and even commercial waste areas.
- Cyanarox® Insecticidal Bait: A ready-to-use granular option that pulls double duty. Not only does it knock down nuisance flies, but it also controls invasive cockroach species (like American, German, and Oriental cockroaches) in and around livestock facilities.
- DuraStrike® Fly Scatter Bait: Powered by the active ingredient Indoxacarb, this bait is excellent for tackling house flies, blow flies, and fruit flies indoors, providing long-lasting control.
- Golden Malrin® Fly Bait: A classic, highly effective scatter bait. It features a powerful attractant called Muscamone® to draw flies in quickly, making it ideal for low-level application where flies naturally feed. Golden Malrin® Fly Bait is a Restricted Use Pesticide (RUP).
2. Application: Scatter Baits vs. Bait Stations
How you apply your bait matters just as much as which one you choose. You have two main methods:
Direct Scattering
For open, rural settings like barnyards or feedlots, you can scatter the bait granules directly from the container or a mechanical spreader onto the ground where flies congregate. Always apply scatter bait out of reach of children, pets, and livestock.
Using Fly Bait Stations
If you are baiting in backyard spaces or around curious farm animals, use a Starbar® Fly Bait Station. You pour the granules inside the station, hang 4ft above the ground away from reach of pets and livestock. Flies are allowed to feed on the bait, while keeping the bait out of reach from your dogs, cats, or livestock. As a bonus, these stations feature a built-in tray to catch the dead flies.
3. The Key to Successful Fly Control: Rotation
To keep your fly control program working, you must rotate your baits.
By swapping products with different modes of action — like rotating between QuikStrike® Fly Bait, Cyanarox® Insecticidal Bait, and DuraStrike® Fly Scatter Bait — you disrupt their adaptation cycle. This practice is a cornerstone of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), ensuring that when a fly lands on your bait, it doesn't walk away.
Keep a simple log of what bait you use, rotate modes of action, and you'll keep the local fly population completely off balance.
