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| Keeping the Flies at Bay: A Horse Owner's Guide to Fly Control |
Summer brings sunshine, green grass, and unfortunately, flies. These pesky insects can quickly take the enjoyment out of riding or caring for horses. Their painful bites and nonstop buzzing frustrates both horses and humans. Plus, flies spread diseases that can make horses sick.
The good news? With a multi-pronged approach, you can control flies and protect your horse's health and comfort. This article explores various fly control methods to keep flies at bay in the barn, around the farm, and directly on your horse.
Cleaning Up the Barn
Flies breed in filth, so keeping a clean barn is the first line of defense. Be diligent about picking stalls and runs daily to remove manure, the main fly attraction. Designate one person to oversee the daily manure routine, especially if you board multiple horses.
Manure management is key for fly control. Remove manure immediately and store it far away from the barn until disposal. Many experts recommend composting manure, which destroys fly eggs and larvae when done correctly.
In addition to manure, flies feast on any rotting organic material. Spoiled hay and grain residues support fly breeding. Sweep aisles and feeds areas daily, storing unused hay properly to prevent spoilage.
Flies also breed in moist areas like wet bedding and muddy pens. Absorb urine patches in stalls quickly with extra bedding. Consider adding stall mats or drains to reduces standing water from the elements or bathing.
Trash management deters flies too. Use lidded garbage cans and empty them frequently. Flies enjoy juice drippings from canned soda and food scraps. Keep trash storage areas clean and allow no food waste buildup.
Barn cleaning checklist:
- Pick stalls and pens daily
- Remove manure immediately
- Store manure pile away from barn
- Sweep aisles and feeds areas
- Prevent wet, spoiled bedding
- Use lidded trash cans
- Allow no food waste buildup
Trapping Flies in the Barn
While cleanliness deters flies, additional measures keep populations down inside the barn. Well-placed fly traps catch flies buzzing around the barn.
Sticky fly strips catch flies on contact. For best results, use several and change them often as they fill with dead flies. Traps with pheromones or other attractants lure flies in but prevent escape. These reusable traps may catch thousands of flies but also need occasional cleaning.
Install traps near entryways or manure storage areas to catch flies before they enter the barn. Avoid placing traps directly over feed bunks or water troughs to prevent contamination. Traps can also mount on fences or trees surrounding the property.
Stall fans discourage flies too. Flies struggle navigating wind currents created by fans, avoiding those areas. Fans also reduce humidity and keep stalls more comfortable for stalled horses on hot days.
Turning Out and Bringing In
Adjusting turnout schedules can limit fly exposure. For example, bringing horses into shaded stalls during peak sun ‒ and peak fly hours ‒ avoids the worst annoyance. Mornings tend to have fewer flies too.
If horses must stay out, provide manmade shade structures. Flies avoid dark, breezy areas. Also pick manure from turnout paddocks frequently to eliminate fly breeding grounds.
Fly exposure tips for turnout:
- Adjust turnout for early mornings
- Provide shade structures
- Pick paddocks daily
- Allow stall rest during peak fly hours
Stopping Flies Before They Start
The secret weapon? Stop flies from reaching troublesome adulthood in the first place. Fly control methods like feed supplements and beneficial insects disrupt the fly life cycle rather than playing catch up swatting adult flies.
Feed-Through Fly Control
Feed-through fly inhibitors given daily stop fly larvae from developing in manure. The supplements pass through the horse's digestive system to alter the manure chemistry unfavorable to fly eggs and larvae. For best results, all horses should receive feed-through supplements, especially in multi-horse settings. Consistent feeding is key ‒ these products only work when given daily.
Research shows some feed-through products reduce fly populations on horse farms by over 90%! While not a standalone solution, using these supplements significantly reduces the number of flies needing other control methods.
Fly Parasites
Tiny beneficial wasps with a massive appetite can help win the fly war. Fly parasites attack immature fly stages rather than the buzzing adults horses swat with their tails. Releasing parasites 2-3 times per month aligns with natural fly development cycles.
Fly parasites produce better results than traps or sprays alone. Combining fly parasites with diligent manure management leads to even greater fly suppression.
Strategically distribute fly parasites around breeding grounds like manure piles where flies lay eggs. Follow product instructions as formulas and release rates vary. For best success, enlist neighbors in the battle too! With join forces, fly parasites can eliminate flies farm-wide.
Protecting Your Horse
Annoying flies frustrate horses nonstop. Even with excellent barn and property hygiene, flies will find horses. Use these tactics to protect your horse from irritating bites.
Fly Repellent
Equine fly repellent makes horses less attractive snacks to hungry flies. Essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil naturally repel flies and mosquitoes.
Chemical-based formulas use compounds like permethrin to repel and kill flies on contact. Some long-lasting versions retain effectiveness even through sweat and rain. Compare active ingredients when choosing the best fly spray for your situation.
Apply an even coat to the coat, legs, belly and other areas flies attack. Pay special attention to the face, ears, chest, and lower legs where flies bite most. Avoid getting product in the horse’s eyes or mouth.
Application tips:
- Apply to a clean, brushed coat
- Use roll-on applicators for the face
- Reapply after getting wet or sweaty
- Test new products for reactions
Natural fly sprays often require more frequent application than chemical versions. But they provide a gentler option for horses with sensitive skin. Essential oil-based sprays may also repel ticks and mosquitoes.
Fly Wear
Physical barriers like fly sheets, fly masks and leg wraps keep pests away too. Mesh fabric protects horses while allowing airflow, unlike bulky blankets.
Fly masks shield eyes and ears from biting flies. Features like extended nose flaps and neck covers protect more facial areas. Just ensure proper fit allowing the horse to graze and drink comfortably.
Leg wraps guard lower limbs from biting stable flies. Advanced cord closure systems secure wraps without too-tight banding.
Fly wear protects vulnerable areas when fly populations peak, especially while grazing or turned out. Daily inspection identifies fit issues before causing rubs. Removing items overnight gives skin a breather.
Strategically using fly gear, repellent, and other methods makes fly management more manageable. Just don’t forget the legs and belly!
Additional Fly Fighting Tactics
While main fly control focuses on the environment, manure and horses, auxiliary tactics boost success. Here are some additional steps for winning the fly fight:
Entryways: Use fly fans above doorways to blow incoming flies away. Sticky fly strips in tack rooms or aisle ends catch stray flies too. Consider screen doors or hang plastic strip curtains to deter entry.
Feeders and Water: Flies loiter around food and water. Place feeders and tanks in well-drained, sand or stone dust bases rather than mud. Clean algae, leaves, and debris regularly to eliminate breeding pockets. Consider larvicide treatments approved for equine water systems.
Lighting: Flies avoid direct light. Install bright LED bulbs inside the barn, around exterior doors and in covered areas. Automatically timed lights deter nighttime fly gatherings.
Supplements: While research is limited, some horse owners report fly repelling success using oral garlic, apple cider vinegar, yeast and essential oils. Try these natural supplements before chemical versions if desired. Monitor effects adjusting amounts accordingly.
Every barn and horse farm battles seasonal flies. Strong prevention and diligent control limits their impact. Review these fly fighting strategies to protect horses and eliminate annoyance. Here’s to many happy, fly-free rides ahead!