From the Stables of...Paul Walker | Horse Newsletter

From the Stables of...Paul Walker
Agricultural/Livestock Extension Agent,
Alamance and Guilford Counties

June, 2003

HORSE NEWS FLY CONTROL FOR HORSES
Here are ten things that horse owners can do to help keep flies off of their horses:

Use a fly repellant. There are numerous fly repellants on the market. They include sprays, wipe ons, pesticide impregnated bonnets, etc. Each application method comes with several different types of pesticides. Some products work better than others and some cost more than others. Which one works the best? Horse owners must try different ones until they find the one one(s) that work for them. It is advisable however, to look at the label to see the active ingredient and alternate pesticide types from year to year to prevent fly resistance.

There are some "feed through" type products that are added to the feed or come in a salt/mineral mixture that prevents the fly larvae from hatching in the fecal patties. These products do not keep flies off of horses. They simply help reduce the overall fly population. If using this type of product, it is necessary to use fly repellants on the horse. Also, all horses on the premises should be fed the product. In addition, if there are other horses on neighboring farms, they too should be on the product for best results since flies have a 5 mile flying radius.

Provide deep shade or a barn for horse to go into during the day. Flies generally do not like dark places, especially pesky blood sucking horse flies.

Use fly masks for horses. These meshed mask are placed on the face of the horse which prevents the flies from getting to the eyes and face of the horse. These are particularly useful if the horse is sensitive to flies around the eyes or they won't tolerate sprays or wipes on their face. The disadvantage to the masks are they can be pulled off by snagging on brush, fence, or by the action of the horse scratching its face.

Use a premise spray to spray the walls of stalls, isle way, etc. Be sure to use a product that is labeled as a premise spray around livestock.

Compost manure taken from the stable rather than piling it up "out back" . Since flies lay eggs in moist manure, keeping it dry can help prevent them from laying eggs in the manure. Composting the manure raises the temperature high enough so that any eggs laid in the manure are destroyed. If you would like more information on composting horse manure, please contact me.

Drag pastures with a pasture drag to scatter the manure. Scattering the manure breaks up the patties which helps them to dry out which makes them undesirable for fly larvae hatch. Does dragging pastures also scatter internal parasite larvae? Yes, however, breaking up the manure patties also makes a less favorable environment for parasite larvae hatch also. In addition, most horses are on a regular parasite control program which helps keep down the parasite load both on the pasture and in the horse.

Release parasitic wasp. Parasitic wasp feed on fly larvae which helps reduce the overall fly population. These wasp do not sting people or horses. They can be ordered and received in the mail to be released every 2-3 weeks during the fly season. When using parasitic wasp, spraying fly insecticides in the barn must be minimized or it will kill the wasp also. As in feed through larvacides, parasitic wasp work best if neighboring farms are using them also. Again, contact me if you would like details on parasitic wasp.

Use fly baits to attract and kill flies. These can be found at most farm supply stores.

Build a tabanid(horse fly trap). These traps are placed in the field about 15 to 20 feet from the wood line. As horses enter the dark shade of the woods, horse flies, deer flies, and black flies leave the horse and rest outside the tree line and move back to the horse once they leave the woods. The tabanid trap attracts the flies as they leave the horse and are trapped inside where they die. For info on building a tabanid trap, contact me.

QUESTIONS ABOUT CATTLE, HORSE, SWINE, SHEEP, GOAT, OR PASTURE MANAGEMENT CALL ME OR CONTACT ME VIA EMAIL. I AM AVAILABLE FOR FARM VISITS IN THE ALAMANCE AND GUILFORD AREA, OFFICE CONSULTATIONS, PHONE INQUIRES, ETC, AT NO CHARGE TO BOTH SMALL AND LARGE SCALE OPERATIONS.

Letter content by Paul Walker, Agricultural Extension Agent.

This page was created and is maintained by Beverly Jenkins, Extension Secretary. Last updated on June 10, 2003.