Flies in the chiller

[ShovelyG]

Hi All,

It's only April but due to the warm weather I am already struggling with Flies

My chiller is a converted double door drinks unit. It was cheap, runs well and I am not looking to replace it.
It does have one draw back and over the summer months a hand full of Blow Flies are always able to find there way into the unit. This usually happens around day 3 after I have added a carcass.

I have replaced door seals however they are still able to get in somehow! I was considering sealing it with masking tape after each use.

Any advise on how I can keep them out the chiller?

 

[Poh]

I reckon you've still got a hole somewhere. I would suggest a chimney smoke pellet inside and see where the smoke comes out from.

 

[75]

Are they definitely getting in from outside and not been hibernating in there when the chiller has been turned off? Those blow flies are buggers for getting into door seals and the like in the autumn and then "waking up" when you least want them.

 

[Jon P]

Push door so it shut tight and Duck tape the door shut - top and bottom, will increase door seal security

 

[ShovelyG]

Are they definitely getting in from outside and not been hibernating in there when the chiller has been turned off? Those blow flies are buggers for getting into door seals and the like in the autumn and then "waking up" when you least want them.

I hadn't thought about this. I probably shoot about one animal a month. The fridge has plenty of down time

 

[spurs14]

I’d go with the smoke bomb idea , close doors and see where smoke is going , if it’s sealed they must be getting in towards end of autumn and hunkering down !

 

[VSS]

Are you sure you're not carrying them in with the carcasses?
They're unlikely to go in of their own accord if it's cold and dark in the chiller.

 

[ShovelyG]

Are you sure you're not carrying them in with the carcasses?
They're unlikely to go in of their own accord if it's cold and dark in the chiller.

I think it's unlikely as the last two were shot at last light and loaded into the chiller an hour or so later.
When it's warm I generally try to check the chiller once a day to ensure the farmer hasn't knocked the power out (this has happened before!). The flies seem to appear after a few days.
The chiller is situated at the back of shed used to store agricultural machinery. It's cool inside however it's open at the front bar a gate.

 

[TringSaint]

Can you drop the temp? I run my chiller at 3C when I have carcasses in it, but I also don’t stalk much after April and before November!!

 

[ShovelyG]

Can you drop the temp? I run my chiller at 3C when I have carcasses in it, but I also don’t stalk much after April and before November!!

Good idea, I am running at 5 degrees currently