FLY CONTROL n Protect your horse n Manage your property n Reduce insect populations
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VOLUME 41
GETTY IMAGES/IMAGINEGOLF
BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
FLY CONTROL
n Protect your horse
n Manage your property
n Reduce insect populations
FLIES
FLIES
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©2021 W.F.
©2021Young, Inc. W.F.Inc.
W.F.©2021
Young, Young, Inc.
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Optimize your
FLY-CONTROL
PROGRAM
You’ll be better able
to protect your horse
from winged pests
if you know which
insects cause the most
trouble and how to
stop them.
A
long with the wonderful as-
pects of spring---warm weather,
sunshine, flowers---there’s one
thing the season always brings
that none of us particularly
wants: flies and other winged pests.
Of course, we’ve all been dealing with
flies and mosquitos for years and know what
to do. But climate conditions vary every
season, and different fly species can move
into new areas with the changing weather.
Sometimes reaching for the same old fly
spray just isn’t good enough.
All of this make reviewing your fly-control
strategies every year is a good idea. Here’s a
brief overview of the species that might be
ADOBESTOCK
out there and what you can do to protect your
horses from them.
f ly c o n t ro l
Deer flies tend
Understanding the to attack the can be found as far south as Florida,
worst offenders horse’s head
black flies are notorious pests up north.
They are most abundant in forested
The first step in stopping flies is to and neck, areas with slow-moving waterways,
identify the offenders---many look very such as streams, lakes or canals, in
similar, but often the different pest spe-
inflicting painful which they lay their eggs. They feed pri-
cies can be identified by their unique bites that bleed. marily on bright, sunny days and prefer
behaviors and habitats. And they are not to fly into dark enclosures.
best controlled by strategies that target • Horn flies tend to congregate on
their lifestyles. Here are the flies most moist soil or vegetation near ponds, the horse’s belly, where single flies
likely to be bothering your horses: marshes and other bodies of water may bite multiple times before flying
• Stable flies look like house- and are most commonly found in or off. On cooler days, they may also feed
flies, but they inflict painful bites, most within a few miles of forests or wet- on the neck, shoulders and back. Horn
often on a horse’s legs, but also lands. However, some may travel as far flies are normally found near cattle,
on the belly, face and neck. They can as 30 miles in search of blood meals. and they lay their eggs only in fresh
be found around livestock practically Horsefly and deer fly species prefer cow manure, but they will affect horses
anywhere in the country, but they will bright sunlight on hot, still days. in shared or adjoining pastures.
reach their peak in warmer climates, • Houseflies do not bite, but they • Face flies do not bite, but they
especially in hotter, wetter weather. congregate near open wounds and se- congregate on the face to feed on sa-
Stable flies prefer bright sunny areas cretions, such as tears or mucus. They liva, tears and mucus. Face flies prefer
and tend not to enter dark enclosures. breed in moist, decaying vegetable cattle, and breed only in cow manure,
• Horseflies and deer flies inflict matter, including garbage, hay and but they will also land on horses pas-
W W W. I S T O C K P H O T O . C O M
painful bites that bleed. Deer flies tend grass clippings as well as manure. tured within a quarter mile. They are
to attack the head and neck, smaller Houseflies prefer dark, interior spaces. most active in the spring and summer
horse flies bite on the legs, and the • Black flies inflict painful bites, but not in hot, dry weather.
larger ones feed on the horse’s back. usually on sparsely haired areas, such • Culicoides (biting midges, biting
These types of flies lay their eggs in as the ears and genitals. Although they gnats, no-see-ums) attack different
5 E Q U U S E X T R A f ly c o n t ro l
parts of the horse, depending on the Mosquitoes are most active in low-light bite. These work against many smaller
species, but the more common ones conditions, such as in shady woods or at biting flies, including mosquitoes,
tend to bite at the tail head, ears, dawn or dusk. houseflies, stable flies, deerflies and
mane, withers and rump; others go gnats. Repellents, which are often
for the belly. Although the individual
flies are tiny, they form dense swarms Chemical controls and marketed as “all natural” alternatives
to the insecticides, contain strong-
that inflict many bites at once. These physical barriers smelling oils, such as citronella, cedar
flies breed in wet places, such as slow, Chemical controls include insecti- or tea tree. They do not kill flies but
still streams, marshes and rotting cides and repellents, applied directly to instead discourage them from landing
vegetation, and are most active just the horse. Fly sprays are common, and by masking the odor of the horse. Both
after sunset. many brands are available, but most insecticides and repellents are available
• Mosquitoes will bite anywhere on contain active ingredients that fall into in lotions, gels, roll-ons and wet wipes
the body. Most abundant in warm, wet two categories. as well as sprays; these are useful for
weather, mosquitoes breed in stagnant • Insecticidal/repellent sprays applications around the face as well as
water, and their populations spike near usually contain pyrethrin, a natural touchups along the trail, but they are
marshes, ponds and any chronically compound derived from a type of chry- best used as complements to the sprays,
wet ground, especially after flooding. santhemum, or a pyrethroid, usually rather than replacements.
Smaller puddles, such as occur in aban- permethrin, a similar synthetic com- • Spot-applied permethrin prod-
ADOBESTOCK
doned tires or blocked rain gutters, pound. These formulations deter flies ucts are an alternative to sprays. Like
can also serve as breeding reservoirs. from landing and kill the ones that do flea-control products for cats and dogs,
ROLL-ONS
A variety of
garments and
accessories are
available that help
protect horses
from flies and
JANIS TREMPER
other insects.
SPRAYS FLY MASKS
6 E Q U U S E X T R A f ly c o n t ro l
these are applied via drops at key points • Fly boots, mesh coverings for the
DUSTY PERIN
on a horse’s body. lower legs, can guard against stable
• Repellents can also be found flies and other insects that alight there.
in products like fly collars and leg • Fly masks are see-through mesh
bands---which, not unlike flea collars shields that cover the eyes to ward off
for dogs, are worn on the horse’s body face flies and houseflies attracted to
and deter flies from landing nearby. tears; some come with ear nets, cover-
Horse clothing can also physically ings for the ears, which are useful if
block flies from landing on the horse. black flies are a nuisance. Others come
• Fly sheets are lightweight cover- with fringed extensions that fall down
ings for the horse’s torso, and many over the nostrils to deter flies from
come with extra appendages, to extend landing there. In addition, some fly
coverage over the tail, belly and neck, masks are designed for use with bridles
where culicoides tend to attack. Light- Insecticides deter to protect the face.
colored fly sheets provide an extra flies from landing on • Ear nets, designed for use with
deterrent to horse- and deer flies, which a bridle, are crocheted cotton cover-
a horse and kill the
ARND BRONKHORST
track victims by sight and are attracted ings that keep flies off of the ears and
to large, dark objects. Also available are ones that bite. poll; many of these have a tasseled
quarter sheets, which cover a horse’s
rump and flanks while under saddle.
Repellents are front edge that lies above the eyes for
further deterrence.
formulated to • Out in the pasture, make sure the
discourage insects horses have well-shaded run-in sheds
from landing by they can escape into to dodge flies that
like sunlight. For extra protection, hang
masking the odor long panels of burlap or netting over the
of the horse. doorway, impregnated with fly spray.
These will brush off and repel any flies
already on the horse as he pushes his
way through the doorway---just make
sure you train the horse that he can get
through what might look like an im-
penetrable barrier. In addition, stabling
horses during flies’ peak periods of
activity may also help---turn them out at
night if daylight fliers, like black flies,
are prevalent. Horses sensitive to culi-
coides do better if stabled at night.
Fly habitats and
habits
• Inside the barn, automatic
misting systems release fine sprays
at regular intervals from nozzles in
the ceiling.
• Fans placed strategically to keep
the air moving in the aisles and stalls
can also deter flies: Smaller insects like
7 E Q U U S E X T R A f ly c o n t ro l
WHY WE FIGHT FLIES
off the property each week.
No one likes to be bitten, and horses which compound the problem. • Release beneficial predators.
under siege from flies may shake, • Eye infections. Face flies These tiny wasps or nematodes can
stomp, kick, buck and take all manner and houseflies are attracted to tears. be purchased from farm and garden
of evasive measures—some may even Although they do not bite, they do carry suppliers. When sprinkled on manure
injure themselves or you, if you’re too dirt and bacteria, which can lead to or other breeding areas, they hatch
close. But controlling pests is about conjunctivitis and other infections. and parasitize immature flies to
much more than just keeping your horse • Viral diseases. Mosquitoes reduce the number that reach adult-
comfortable. You’re also protecting him are notorious for passing the viruses hood. Feed-through fly control prod-
against the many maladies biting flies responsible for eastern and western ucts, added to each horse’s feed, pass
can cause: equine encephalitis as well as West Nile harmlessly through his system but
• Allergic reactions. The saliva encephalitis, but other biting flies can then kill any insect larvae hatched in
of almost any biting fly can lead to also carry viruses, including the one that the manure.
itchy, red allergic reactions at the site produces equine infectious anemia. • Compost manure. This process
of the bite. The most extreme form of • Parasitic skin infections. generates enough heat to kill any eggs.
this is equine insect hypersensitivity, Several worms are carried by flies. • Spread manure over fields. Just
also known as sweet itch. Caused by Culicoides can transmit the threadworm make sure the layer is thin enough
culicoides, sweet itch causes severe that causes onchocerciasis, an infection that it dries quickly in the sun. Avoid
itching and produces hairless patches that can cause large patches of itchy spreading manure in pastures where
and red, inflamed, scabby skin at the dermatitis along the belly as well as horses are actively grazing, and keep
root of the mane and tail as well as on the face, neck, chest and abdomen; it away from muddy, high-traffic areas
the face, neck and belly, where the horse eventually the infection will cause that tend to remain wet.
has been rubbing incessantly. inflammation in the nuchal ligament, • Remove wet bedding as diligently
• Skin infections. Any bite wound, which runs along the top of the neck. as you do the manure. Stable flies
however small, becomes a gateway House- and stable flies can carry worms are highly attracted to the smell of
for bacterial or fungal infections. The that infect open wounds, creating horse urine. It also helps to spread
bleeding and serum seepage from tiny nonhealing lesions called habronemiasis, hydrated lime, also called “slack lime
wounds also serves to attract more flies, or “summer sore.”
or agricultural lime, on wet spots on
stall floors.
• Eliminate stagnant water where
houseflies and gnats prefer to fly in still lure house- and stable flies onto sticky flies breed. Fill in potholes, clean
air, and the breeze also disperses the surfaces that entrap them. clogged gutters, repair leaking plumb-
carbon dioxide a horse exhales, which • Bug zappers are blue-light devices ing and pick up unused items, such as
can attract some flies. that electrocute flies drawn into an elec- flower pots, old tires and toys, that can
• Very fine, well-sealed screens in tric grid; two drawbacks are that they collect rain. Rinse and refill water buck-
the windows will keep out mosquitoes must be placed where they cannot be ets each day, and remove fallen leaves
and gnats. knocked down by animals, and they can and other debris from troughs.
• A variety of traps are available, also attract and kill beneficial insects. • Add goldfish to troughs to devour
baited with food, pheromones or mosquito larvae.
other attractants designed to appeal
Population control
to different types of flies. House-
and stable flies are attracted to
scent lures, such as sugar or manure.
measures
• Remove manure from stalls and
C ontrolling flies around the farm
may seem like a Sisyphean task---
no matter how much you do, there will
Horse flies are attracted to dark paddocks daily. Stable- and housefly always be more. But keeping up with
colors, so a large black ball is some- eggs, which are laid in manure, hatch the basic chores will go a long way
times used to lure them into a chamber after 10 to 21 days, so an ideal control toward reducing their numbers. Your
they can’t escape. Fly sticks and tapes practice would be to get the manure horses will thank you for it.
8 E Q U U S E X T R A f ly c o n t ro l
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The special challenge of
SWEET ITCH Here are steps you can
take to protect your
horse from this allergic
reaction to insect bites.
S
weet itch can make a horse
miserable. The intense itchi-
ness can cause him to rub
away patches of hair, leaving
the skin underneath raw and weepy. If
a case is severe enough, the horse may
become restless and thin, as he spends
more time scratching than eating.
Technically known as equine insect
hypersensitivity or insect bite hypersen-
sitivity, sweet itch is a severe allergic
reaction to the saliva of biting insects,
primarily Culicoides spp. midges and
gnats but also possibly blackflies or deer
flies. Sweet itch reactions can occur any-
where on a horse’s body but are usually
seen on the areas where the insects tend
to bite: on the underside of the belly,
under the mane or the dock of the tail.
The condition is usually at its worst at
the times of year when insects are most
active, and it may subside during the
winter. Less than 10 percent of horses
in the United States develop sweet itch,
and most won’t begin to show signs until
they are at least 2 to 4 years old. The con-
dition is more common among Shires,
Welsh Ponies and horses imported from
Iceland, but it can occur in any breed.
Research is underway to develop a
reliable immunotherapy treatment for
sweet itch. In the meantime, veterinar-
CELIA STRAIN
ians may prescribe antihistamines and
corticosteroids to help relieve the signs
10 E Q U U S E X T R A f ly c o n t ro lof the condition. But steroids carry a closures to keep out bugs, clothing de- of leaves and other debris. Place manure
ISTOCKPHOTO
R I G H T: C E L I A S T R A I N ; D U S T Y P E R I N ( C E N T E R )
low but real risk of serious side effects, signed specifically for horses with sweet and compost piles as far away from the
including laminitis. So if your horse is itch has extensions to cover the neck, horses as is feasible.
susceptible to sweet itch, you’ll want to belly and tail, the areas where Culicoides
reduce his exposure to the insects that
cause it. Here are steps you can take:
spp. are most likely to bite. A fine-mesh
mask may also be needed to protect the
horse’s face and ears.
5. Try over-the-counter products.
You’ll find a number of products
for horses with sweet itch, from feed
1. Stable your horse during peak
biting hours. Culicoides spp. are
most active at dusk and dawn, so bring 3. Use fly-control products. The
most potent products combine re-
supplements formulated to reduce
inflammation, to topical preparations
meant to soothe itchy, inflamed skin.
your horse into a stall during those hours. pellents with pesticides. Look for ones Thick, oily or sticky ointments are
For additional protection, install ultra- labeled for use against gnats and midges. messier but may keep gnats from
fine screens in stall windows and set up You’ll need to be diligent about applying landing on the horse’s skin. They may
fans to provide a continuous breeze over the sprays and wipes as often as the also help keep bugs from getting to
stabled horses. Gnats are weak flyers and manufacturers’ instructions allow. the skin to bite. Anecdotal evidence
even a slight breeze will keep them away. suggests that these products offer
You might also consider applying a spray
repellent designed for use on stall walls
and other surfaces inside the barn.
4. Restrict your herd’s access to
marshy areas. Gnats breed in
marshy, shady ground with rotting
some relief, at least in some horses.
When trying a new topical product,
start by applying it to a small area to
vegetation. If possible, move your horse make sure it will not further irritate
2. Keep him covered. One way to
reduce bites is to keep a fly sheet
on your horse during insect season.
to a pasture in a drier, more exposed
location away from boggy terrain. Around
your barn, clear up standing water in
sensitive skin. Be careful with tea
tree oil, lavender and other herbals---
they are soothing to some horses but
Made of fine mesh and equipped with ditches and gutters and keep them free can irritate the skin in others.
IN FOCUS: wheals and swelling, primarily and cultures may be needed to can help prevent secondary
Sweet itch on the neck (under the mane),
face, shoulders, withers, belly
distinguish EIH from other causes
of itchy dermatitis, such as mites,
infections. Pentoxifylline can be
used to decrease skin reactivity,
and rump (over the tail). The skin lice and fungal infections. and in some cases allergy serum
Definition: Technically may be rubbed until it is crusty, Treatment: Antihistamines is worth trying.
known as equine insect hyper- weepy, raw and hairless. Location or corticosteroids may help
sensitivity (EIH), sweet itch is of the lesions may depend on the ease the itch and
an allergic reaction to the saliva specific species of gnat; most inflammation,
of biting insects, most often the prefer to bite on the neck and providing relief to
Culicoides species of midges along the topline, but some target the itchy horse;
and gnats. the chest, belly, tail and groin. antibiotics or anti-
Signs: intense itchiness, Diagnosis: Skin scrapings microbial shampoos
11 E Q U U S E X T R A f ly c o n t ro lKeep your horse comfortable and ready to ride with Magic Cushion®. You can’t always control the footing, but you can help undo its impact. Proven to reduce heat and calm inflammation, Magic Cushion® hoof packing provides fast-acting, long-lasting relief to hooves and legs. So your horse recovers from this ride in time for the next. Save on Magic Cushion® at Absorbine.com. ©2019 W.F. Young, Inc.
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