Flies infestation in Asturias: Chicken dung draws flies – experts

CEBU, Philippines - Despite being a good fertilizer source, chicken dung accumulated in poultry farms are "ideal" breeding environment for flies, experts said.

This could explain why flies have been pestering those living in Barangays Agtugok, Bago, Bago Old, Langub, Looc, Lunas, and Poblacion in Asturias town.

Residents have already voiced concern for their health, with others reportedly already falling ill due to the presence of flies, which land on just about anything and anyone in the said places.

The affected residents have blamed poultry operations for their fly woes.

Louie Maestrado, Provincial Veterinarian III, said this month is the breeding season for flies, which prefer to live in damp and filthy areas such as poultry farms.

"Areas nga taas ang moisture ug katong decayed materials mao gyod na ang breeding ground. Sa poultry, prone kaayo ang hugaw nga ideal para ato mag-breed ang mga langaw," he said.

Maestrado said the number of poultry farms also contributed to the flies infestation in Asturias.

"Di nato ikalimod ang pagdaghan sa number sa poultry operations sa Asturias. Like what I said, kung daghan-daghan ang areas nga pwede sila magpadaghan, there is a domino effect sab nga modaghan gyod sila," he said.

He added that he could not see any other cause of the swarm of flies in the town other than poultry operations.

"So far, sa area, way laing source. Population-wise, di man pod siya congested."

With this, he urged the poultry owners in Asturias to observe sanitation and be responsible in disposing poultry wastes.

"Actually ang atong poultry raisers kahibalo na gyod na sila unsay saktong pamaagi nga dili moabot sa punto nga maakapekto na sa health sa mga constituents nga duol ana nga mga areas," he said.

It was earlier reported that bags of poultry wastes were given out to farmers to serve as organic fertilizers. Those that were unused were reportedly just left in the open, attracting flies.

Maestrado said that though poultry manure provides a good supply of nutrients for crop production, proper handling and sanitary measures should always be considered.

"Dako man unta sa siyag tabang sa end sa farmer kay maka-less sa cost for fertilizers. Kinahanglan nga responsible lang sila nga di pataka'g butang. Sa panahon nga dapat na siya i-apply, i-apply na gyod dayon," he said.

In a separate interview, Provincial Agriculturist Roldan Saragena advised the farmers as well as poultry owners in Asturias to make sure that chicken dung have already decomposed and dried before using them as fertilizers since wet and fresh dung attract flies.

 "As much as possible ang ilang kuhaon kana lang decomposed. On the part of the poultry owners, naa siguro na silay pamaagi i-implement asa i-store nang mga waste before nila mahatag sa farmers," he said. — (FREEMAN)