author(s)
P Sankar and A Jagadeeswaran

abstract
The fly control efficiency of neem products (Neem seed powder and Neem seed oil) against house fly was evaluated in experimental broiler shed in comparison with methoprene. One hundred and ninety two, day old broiler chicks were randomly divided into eight groups of twelve each with two replicates and the study was conducted for a period of five weeks. Methoprene and neem seed powder were given through the feed @ of 10 gm and 1 Kg per tonne of feed, respectively and neem oil (5% v/v) was sprayed on broiler litter material twice a week until the completion of the study. The body weight and body weight gain were recorded at weekly intervals in all treatment groups. Fly larval count was measured on 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, 28^th and 35^th days and pupicidal activity was observed on 21^st day by in vitro method. There was no significant change in body weight and body weight gain on inclusion of neem seed powder and methoprene at first, second, third and fourth weeks whereas neem seed powder inclusion in the feed exhibited significant decrease in the body weight and body weight gain at fifth week. All the feed incorporated treatments possessed good larvicidal activity on 7^th, 14^th, 21^st, 28^th and 35^th days. Mere spraying of neem oil possessed larvicidal effect but not in comparable level with methoprene or neem seed powder supplemented diets of broilers. Pupicidal activity was significant in neem oil sprayed group compared to that of control. It may be reasonably concluded that dietary inclusion of neem seed and neem oil spray in litter material showed good fly control effect without much affecting production parameters. The efficacy of neem products was comparable with that of methoprene and combination of neem products with methoprene was synergistic.