Flies in the Ointment:
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Decoster Egg Farm

It seems flies have become part of the summer environment… not a pleasant part. After the heavy June rainfall, Decoster Egg Farm on Meqguire Hill Road developed atypical problems. The result was flies, flies, flies around the Lake, with some locations suffering more than others. A number of people I polled near the southern end of the Lake weren’t troubled, yet the east side was definitely affected.

According to Craig Leonard from the Department of Agriculture, the manure pits are designed to dry out manure deposits before being hauled off. This year, liquefaction occurred, which in turn produced the infestation. The liquefied waste was eventually siphoned off and trucked away, stemming the fly problem.

Lois Snowe-Mello, State Representative from the Poland area, confirmed the problem and said that she had written a letter to the State regarding the situation and would report back to us. It was suggested, as a safeguard, that well owners test their wells for possible contamination.

Well, July 4th was celebrated outside with minor disruptions; the flies had abated for the Nation’s birthday. Yet, a few weeks later they returned with a vengeance. Neighbors of DeCoster were featured on television and in the local papers, flyswatters in hand, screen doors covered with the nuisances, describing the untenable situation. In August, I again spoke with Mr. Leonard, who was unable to come up with a cause of the latest outbreak. However, with the approval of the FDA and EPA the barns would be sprayed with the chemical, Cygon. He assured me that the chemicals were environmentally safe and that no effluent would be leaving the buildings. Yet neighbors were advised to remain indoors. The situation subsided somewhat after that.

The problem will, no doubt, continue in years to come. Chickens plus manure yield flies. However, we must remain vigilant and report any outbreak to the Department of Agriculture as soon as it’s detected. Mr. Leonard’s number is 287-3118. He’s pleasant, willing to listen and will do all he can to help. If necessary, leave a message on the answerphone or speak with his secretary, Brenda Deschaine at 287-1132.

This problem isn’t particular to Poland, Maine. As the second infestation occurred at Tripp, a officials in Montpelier, VT. were considering whether Vermont Egg Farms should be allowed to expand. Opponents of expansion were fighting the same issue; chicken manure had spawned an infestation of flies that harassed dairy cows, lowered property values and drove people indoors on summer evenings. The problem "had to be reduced to a level where adult flies moving off the farm weren’t a public health risk not did they create economic hardship for neighbors" in order that expansion take place.

DeCoster will be hiring a new manager after Mr. Keene retires this Fall. We can only hope that he will be watchful in preventing future infestations. B.S.