Sampling for fly populations and their bacterial load in swine operations with different waste handling systems

This study included the monitoring of fly populations with three sampling methods: Captivator Fly Trap (CFT), Jug Bait Trap (JBT), and Fecal Spot Card (FSC); the description of abiotic characteristics of swine manure such as pH, osmolality, temperature and dry matter; and the determination of bacterial load carried internally and externally by filth flies. Studies were conducted in swine operations with different waste handling systems (including Static Pit/Mechanical Ventilation, Flushing Pit/Natural Ventilation, Dirt lots and Hoop barn). Samples were collected from June to November 2000 and January to August 2001. Manure characteristic and fly populations were monitored at 8 to 10 day intervals; bacteria were sampled monthly.; Flies population values obtained with CFT were different (P > 0.0001) than JBT; whereas the JBT and FSC captures were not different in both 2000 and 2001 (P > 0.2103 and 0.0982) year respectively. The average number of muscoid flies caught per day with the two traps, CFT and JBT and the index of fly activity by FSC within each of four types of swine handling systems showed that CFT was the most efficient type of trap in both years, except in SPMV in the year 2000 where JBT caught more flies per day.; It was found in years 2000 and 2001 that the number (or types) of bacteria carried by flies internally was higher (90.5 and 89.9%, in years 2000 and 2001) than carried externally (71.8 and 49.2%, respectively) in all types of waste handling systems. Bacteria genera found included Proteus , Salmonella, Shigella, Pseudomonas, Escherichia and Citrobacter . Salmonella and Proteus were the most found bacteria (28 and 25%, respectively). The FPNV handling system appeared to produce flies with the highest number and types of bacteria carried in both internal (93.3 and 94.2% in years 2000 and 2001, respectively) and externally (80.0 and 57.5% in years 2000 and 2001, respectively).; The abiotic characteristics of swine varied with the type of waste handling systems, some of the manure differed and some were similar to those of cattle as habitat for filth fly larvae.