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Best fly repellent for horses
Horses
When summer comes around, it’s time to think about flies again. Although summer should be a time of enjoyment and relaxation, flies love to come and spoil all the fun. Besides being a damn nuisance, flies can cause serious harm to your livestock, feeding on blood and spreading disease. It’s important to get ahead of the game to ensure your equine friends have the summer period they deserve.
There are various types of fly species that will cause several problems to your horse and the surrounding area. Depending on the size of the problem, their presence can cause long-term issues that may result in the death of your beloved livestock. It’s important to get ahead of the game to ensure that this summer isn’t one to forget.
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In this blog, we’ll discuss the different types of flies that may cause harm to your horse or livestock, and how best to repel them. Let’s get started, shall we?
Types of flies
Anyone who has spent considerable time around horses is aware that horseflies are the biggest offender. These pesky insects show up as soon as the summer season comes around and won’t go away until the weather cools. They like to operate around woodland and wet marshy areas and are busiest on the warmer days.
There’s also the deerfly. These are very similar in appearance but pack a similar punch when it comes to their bite and bloodsucking ability. They are large in size and have scissor-like teeth to cause damage wherever they land.
Black flies can also be a real problem in the summertime. These are found mainly in woodlands, at lower levels in forests and moorlands. They tend to feed mostly in the daytime when wind speeds are lower.
Regardless of the species in question, flies will gather around a horse, usually grouping in the horse’s eyes, causing irritation tearing, and squinting. Flies will then drink the fluid, causing the deposit of bacteria, subsequently leading to infections like keratitis and conjunctivitis. They can also lay eggs on open wounds, causing the development of maggots. This is extremely serious and should be reported to a vet immediately. Horses can also suffer allergic reactions from the protein in the saliva of biting insects. This causes the immune system to attack itself and lead to adverse reactions.
Overall, flies can be merely a nuisance, but in lots of cases, their presence is more severe. It’s important to adopt the correct behaviors so your horses have the best chance of a happy and healthy summer.
Horse fly sprays
One of the best ways to repel flies from your beloved horses is fly sprays. There are loads of sprays, creams and gels available on the market that contain various ingredients designed to repel any unwanted guests.
There are both synthetic and natural options available, with natural remedies normally the most popular. These can include things like tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender and rosemary, which have all been proven to have considerable repellent qualities. It’s also good practice to include garlic in the horse’s diet. Garlic contains a sulphur compound called allicin which naturally repels flies. This can also be recognised as the strong scent that garlic leaves on your skin when cooking.
The most important thing to mention is that fly repellents only last for a limited period of time. This means they must be reapplied regularly in order to keep prevention levels high. This is particularly the case if it rains, as fly repellents aren’t waterproof.
Horse owners
Besides fly repellents, there are plenty of things horse owners can do to get ahead of the battle. Firstly, keep your stable yard clean. Flies like to breed in mucky areas, so cleaning will help restrict the amount of pesky insects arriving to bother your horse. Ensure your yard is swept regularly and any leftover food is disposed of appropriately. Also, aim to clean your horse’s poop up as often as you can. Leftover feces are a fly’s dream. They breed at a rapid rate, and poop piles are a prime spot for some reproductive action!
Secondly, manage your horse’s routine. Midges and horseflies are more dominant during dawn and dusk. Therefore, we suggest keeping your horses in stables during these times if possible. Also, try to avoid hacking through wooded areas, as flies are more prevalent in these spaces. Finally, if you notice a fly problem in a wooded area near your stables, then move their daily routine away from the area. Although this won’t solve the problem entirely, it will certainly lower their exposure in the short term, allowing you to find time to defeat the issue.
Lastly, like us humans, it’s always good to purchase protective gear for your horse. Fly rugs work well, as do fly masks. These help to protect sensitive skin, avoiding allergic reactions and itchiness. However, don’t rely on clothing to solve the issue. You should make an active effort to remove their presence. If not, flies will eventually make their way through the clothing, leaving it useless.
The Ranch Fly Trap
Fly problems can often spiral out of control before you’re aware there’s a serious problem. If an infestation has begun at your yard, then fly traps are a necessary addition to combat as many flies as possible.
The addition of both our barrel and net traps can help to trap and kill the local fly population, moving the problem away from beloved horses. We also provide the necessary bait, meaning you focus on the horse’s wellbeing, and not the flies.
We understand how annoying and distressing fly infestations can be, that’s why we’ve designed various bundles to cater to all our valued customers. Starting from beginner, through to fly domination, there’s sure to be a bundle perfect for your problem.
We’re proud of our journey so far, aiding thousands of homeowners to defeat their fly problems. Learn more about our success via social media. Alternatively, if you’d like to learn more about flies and the issues they pose to your property and animals, then read our blog.
Don’t be a hero, let the Ranch Fly Trap do all the hard work. Visit our website today.