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Welcome back to the second part of How to Get Rid of Biting Summer Flies!
Our last post focused on one of the most common biting flies, the horse fly. In this second part, we will continue to look at how to get rid of biting summer flies with natural repellents and more!
Flies, Flies and More Flies!
What exactly are horse owners up against when it comes to flies in hot summer months? A variety of flies that bite, draw blood and irritate and annoy both you and your horse!
Common flies (beyond the horse fly we discussed last time) include:
- Stable flies
- Black flies
- Deer flies
- Sandflies and biting Midge Flies
Why are flies such a problem for equines? Flies can:
- Carry and spread diseases.
- Cause allergic reactions.
- Cause infections.
- Create digestive issues.
- Chip or break your horse’s hooves from continuous stomping to get rid of flies.
Fly Prevention: Best Practices
Prevention is critical since a single fly can produce up to 1,000 flies in
less than a month! Using a combination of fly control options will offer the best results. Below are 6 best practices for your horse and barn.
- Strict and regular sanitation protocols will help decrease and discourage the creation of fly populations by keeping your barn odor- and ammonia-free.
- Address fly breeding and larvae hatching by regularly eliminating potential moist or damp areas where flies prefer to lay their eggs including:
- Manure in your barn, yards and fields (which offer breeding places and constant food sources).
- Decaying plant waste (i.e., rotting logs).
- Damp straw, rotting hay and moist soil under hay bales. Consider replacing straw bedding with rubber matting to reduce overall barn moisture.
- Use moisture-soaking materials and/or absorbent bedding in all stalls.
- Regularly spread out both manure and stable bedding so it dries out quicker.
- Drain all areas where excess water/rainwater gathers and pools.
- Address fly breeding and larvae hatching by regularly eliminating potential moist or damp areas where flies prefer to lay their eggs including:
- Regularly treat all stable surfaces (sides of the barn, stall surfaces,
fences and piles of manure) with a reliable fly control option or an insecticide, pesticide or larvicide. - Protect your horse from flies with sprays or dusts. Use oil-based fly sprays that remain effective longer (water-based products usually offer shorter residual effects). When applying, be careful around sensitive areas like your horse’s eyes, ears and muzzle. For the safest application, spray onto a washcloth first and then gently apply or use a roll-on product.
- Use and regularly replace fly traps/flypaper.
- Always securely cover all open food and garbage containers to avoid attracting flies.
- Turn off all barn lights at night to prevent insects from being attracted to the light.
Click here for the Amateur Equestrian article, “Top 23 Ways to Eliminate and Protect Your Horse and Barn from Flies this Summer”
Fly Prevention: 5 Options
So how do you get rid of biting summer flies already in your barn, tack room and paddock?
- Fly Predators to prevent fly eggs from hatching
- Supplements containing garlic, such as SmartPak’s BugOff
- Fly sheets to not only protect from flies but also UV rays
- Wondercide Natural Bug Repellent Spray
- SWAT Fly Repellent Ointment for trouble spots where flies tend to congregate (under the chin, on the chest and around the nose)
Fly Protection: 5 Natural Options
Prefer to use natural fly protection for your horse? Try these DIY options below!
- Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Not all vinegar is created equal when it comes to effectiveness and
nothing is as effective as unpasteurized, organic apple cider vinegar. Just fill a spray bottle with ACV and spray down your horse for natural fly protection. If the smell bothers you or your horse, dilute with a 50/50 ratio of water.
- Commercial Natural Fly Sprays
- Absorbine UltraShield Green Natural Fly Repellent (contains essential oils and guaranteed to last up to 8 hours)
- Animal Legends Flicks Horse and Pet Spray (concentrated and biodegradable)
- Equisect Botanical Fly Repellent Spray (contains botanical and essentials oils including citronella, clove stem and thyme)
- Calm Coat Natural Repellent (concentrated with citronella, eucalyptus and other botanical oils)
- Lemon Juice (bugs hate it!)
- Avon Skin So Soft (smells great and is a DEET-free bug deterrent for your horse and you!)
- Natural Fly Spray for Horses by Savvy Horsewoman (uses essential oils to deter flies, mosquitoes and other insects)
- 16 oz spray bottle (use amber-colored to preserve the essential oils)
- 1/2 cup witch hazel
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 100-150 drops of a Bug Repelling Essential Oil Blend
OR
-
- 100-150 drops of any combination of the following oils:
- Citronella
- Eucalyptus
- Lemon Grass
- Peppermint
- Cedarwood
- Lavender
- 100-150 drops of any combination of the following oils:
Add all ingredients into the spray bottle and fill to the top with water. Shake well and spray on horses and riders as needed, being careful to avoid the eyes and nose. Store in a cool, dark place.
Looking for more DIY, Natural Horse Fly Sprays?
Click here to go to the Cowboy Way website for 3 easy recipes!
“Whisking” all sweat, excess soap and water from your horse is easy for maintaining their coat’s best condition with our innovative WaterWisk!
Our EquiGroomer tools make grooming your horse easier, stress-free AND pain-free!
Order individual EquiGroomer tools or professional kits for your pet shop, tack shop or barn, by calling 860-573-0604, sending us an email or visiting our website today!
Additional Reading:
Texas A&M University: Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences: Shoo Fly … Don’t Bother Me!
Savvy Horsewoman: How to Get Rid of Flies Naturally
Stable Management: Reduce Flies on Your Horses and Property
Amateur Equestrian: Top 23 Ways to Eliminate and Protect Your Horse and Barn from Flies this Summer
Horse and Rider: Fly Control Options for Horse and Barn
Image Credits:
Wolfgang van de Rydt from Pixabay
Bragg.com: Apple Cider Vinegar
Product Image Courtesy of EquiGroomer
So how do you get rid of these pesky, annoying – and even dangerous – horse flies to protect yourself, your horse, dog and livestock from their insidious bites?
often find ourselves worrying about the past or fearful about the future. Neither are natural states of being. Thankfully our pets always live in the moment, so let’s learn mindfulness from our pets!
What would our pets tell us if they could talk? Perhaps that slowing down and being present in this very moment will help us find the mindfulness and peace our hearts and souls crave.
Stay mindful, healthy and positive!
on hard surfaces that are easier to clean. Cooler garages and basements are also good.
Homemade Treats for Cats
lockdown as non-essential businesses. With the arrival of spring and even summer temperatures, many are challenged with effectively grooming their dog’s undercoat and topcoat after the long winter. With more daylight hours and warmer temperatures, shedding dogs are a big issue right now. 
topcoat (also known as a guard coat) that helps repel water, dust and dirt while also protecting the skin from injury. The guard coat is made up of guard hairs which are coarser in texture (i.e., wire-haired) and are thicker and longer.
a few medical reasons behind it. 
fault! Since the extra daylight hours trigger a horse’s winter coat to shed, artificial lighting and dark barn interiors may cause a delay in timely shedding. To remedy this issue:
If you allow your feline to roam outside during the winter months, always watch the time (keep it short) and monitor their reactions to the cold. Do not let them out during the coldest times of the day or night.
Immediately get your cat to your vet!
rock salt (you don’t want your cat licking any de-icing agents or chemicals). Also, check the paws for cracks and cuts. Massage moisturizing petroleum jelly or olive oil into your feline’s paws and between the toes.
and colic.
attended to regularly, daily. In this unprecedented time, our pet’s health is equally as important as our own! Our pets rely upon us daily to protect them and ensure their best health and quality of life. Also, during all the uncertainty, we need our beloved pets even more for their infinite love, support and companionship while we all self-quarantine.
By keeping up with your pet’s regular grooming, you can keep your pet’s coat in good shape, without painful matting, burrs and/or allergens. You can also address any potential health issues before they require a potentially stressful visit to your veterinarian during the shelter-in-place mandates.
