How to get rid of flies in the barn

What do you do when you still have flies?

Your barn is clean, the manure is under control and its dry everywhere, but you still have annoying flies, what do you do? There are lots of options out there; the trick is finding the option that works best for you and your horses.  Some of the options available are sprays, gels, natural solids, fly paper/traps, barn misters, predators, feed thru supplements, and actual fly protection.  Each has pros and cons to them.  Your job is to figure out which system(s) fit for the current situation.

The option that seems to get the most use from people is the sprays and gels.  Fly sprays are used in abundance by just about everyone.  The problems with most sprays are they are made up of harsh chemicals that are not good for you or your horse and they are not good for the environment either. Another problem is that they don’t seem to last long. The good news is that not all fly sprays are toxic and you really only need them to last as long as the ride you’re on.  My favorite “friendly” option is BugPellent Natural Fly & Tick Repellent.  It is made up from several essential oils that naturally keep the flies away. It smells good and works best on the annoying gnats and mosquitos.  Gels are a great option for the hard to get and tender areas that need extra protection.  For example the face (ears particular), under the chin, front of the chest and the oh so sweet spot of the under belly.  The gels typically provide protections, a stronger concentrate of repellent, and sometimes even potential healing properties such as found in BugPellents Gel.   

Fly Papers/Traps are another useful Fly tool.  One plus side is that they collect and kill the annoying flies; the down side is that it can be unsightly and dangerous.  There really isn’t much more to say that they collect and remove.  Being unsightly is fairly obvious too, to see a bottle of liquid hanging from the ceiling with dozens of dead flies, yuck.  Now what a lot of people don’t realize is that they can be dangerous if placed in the wrong place.   They should never be in a horse’s stall, or an area where a horse can get stuck to or into them.  I have seen firsthand a horse get tangled up in fly paper and completely freak out causing a rather large wood splinter get lodged into their foot.  These can be helpful when used correctly

Another option is full barn misters.  This system is laid out in the barn to spray fly sprays from misters placed throughout the barn.  Typically there is one mister in each stall and room and a couple down each aisle.  This option provides continuous protection without any work on your part.  You set it on a timer and you are done.  However just as with the fly spray, majority of the options for misters contain the pyrethrins, pyrethrums, and pyrethroids. Another option that will do the same job as a mister is natural solids insect repellent. Natural solids are activated by the air creating a “cloud” that repels the flies and other insects.  The biggest difference aside from the material that makes up each is that one leaves a fine mist over everything while the other creates a cloud that lingers.

An option I can’t really see much of a down side to, is fly predators. Fly predators is an insect that’s main purpose in life is to stop the reproductive cycle of certain stable and house flies.  So though they may be insects themselves, fly predators are helpful insects that get rid of the annoying flies. They are a natural, environmentally friendly means to eliminate the types of flies that cause the most harm around your barn. They are smaller than their foes and resemble ants with wings.

There has, for a long time, been the thought that by feeding your horse garlic or apple cider vinegar it will help repel flies. They must have been on to something back in the old days, because today there are several different bands and combinations of natural ingredients that offer some relief to flies and other insects.  Finding which one works for your horse might take some sampling.  So if one doesn’t work test another, each horse responds and reacts differently. 

One last way to help protect against flies, at least for your horse, is all the fly gear available today.  You have fly masks, ear nets, fly sheets and wraps that go around your horses legs.  Lots of different options and lay outs, the challenge is figuring out what fit your horse’s needs.  However when buying articles of clothing for your horses make sure it is the right fit and size.  And make sure you take it off regularly so make sure nothing has been missed underneath. 

I know that I have missed a few fly controlling options out there but for the most part the above listed is most of them. There are lots of different options and ways to help with the annoying flies and pesky insects.  The trick is figuring out what works best for you in the current situation. Remember it is not about finding one cure all option, there most likely will be a combination of a few that works best.  And when one option stops working know that there are always others and new ways and new products come up all the time.

Happy Riding

Juli
Juli is a BugPellent guest blogger. Would you like to contribute to our blog? email info@bugpellent.com
www.BugPellent.com

The small annoying flies…

Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a Gnat, a No-see-um, Mayflies, and a Black fly? You know the very annoying teeny tiny flies that like to fly into your eyes and ears and mouth. The ones that attack in hoards creating a cloud that is hard to shake, and force you to wear that funny almost more annoying face netting.  The teeny tiny flies that seem to do the most damage to your horse.  Eating the under chin, chest and belly raw.  If you have ever spent much time in wet areas or with horses in the north east you know exactly what I am talking about.  Now that we know which flies I am talking about, let me see if I can help clarify the differences for you. 

Is it a Gnat or a Mayfly or... 

If you’re the person that calls them Gnats you are correct. Wait, if there is a difference how is that correct?  Well because the most interesting thing I came across in my research is that a Gnat is actually a generic term- any of many species of tiny flying insects.

Starting with Black flies, they will lay their eggs in running water and feed mostly on nectar with the exception of the females that will feed on blood.  The blood is needed for protein to aid in egg laying. 

Mayflies are aquatic insects whose immature stage usually lasts one year in fresh water but have the shortest adult life of no more than a day. They feed off of algae and diatoms. Their final stage of life is a fish favorite, often being copied for fly fishing lures. 

No-see-ums are the meanest of this group.  Also known as a Sandfly, They are blood suckers commonly found in wet and mountainous areas. They lay their eggs in dark moist places such as under bark, compost, mud, and even water holding plants. 

The similarities between these are they all require some kind of water or moisture to lay their eggs, have 4 stages of life (egg, larva, pupa, and adult), and are so small they all look the same. Oh and another similarity is the females thrive on blood.  This is what causes the irritation and itching.  When they bite you they inject a saliva into you that typically causes an allergic reaction.

I hope this helps you understand the little annoying flies that are most common from April to July. There is a difference, and when it comes to horses your most likely dealing with the black flies or no-see-ums.  Of course BugPellent products will help a great deal, but remember clean dry barns and areas around the barn help prevent the breeding of these flies. 

Happy Riding
Juli

Juli is a BugPellent guest blogger. Would you like to contribute to our blog? email info@bugpellent.com
www.BugPellent.com

BugPellent Natural Insect Repellent Products Get Great Reviews

The BugPellent product line provides natural, essential oil based repellent protection from flying insects in barns, carriage houses, or garages.

The hanging BugPellent is a unique product with a patented vapor release design. With a blend of natural waxes and a strategic blend of essential oils, the oil vapors, although pleasant to humans, repel a variety of flying insects.

This product is a clean alternative to sticky fly paper and fly traps (which attract flies), and whole barn chemical spray systems. A similar effective blend of natural essential oils is used in the BugPellent Fly Spray and Fly Gel which can be applied directly to the horses.

Here are some of the great comments we have heard about BugPellent!

“…with the spray (and I think the gel, too) there is a dramatic exodus of gnats after using it.”
- Mary C.

“…it worked great.”
– Karen C.

“ I just began using your fly/tick spray on my horse, and I am happy to say that it works better than anything I have ever used.  And I love that it is natural!”
– Susan G.

                                                                                                                                                                  

“Something so small works so great no flys or other bugs an everyone comments how nice it smells in the barn, plan to order several more to put in the goats houses.”
– Tasha, Maple Valley, WA; www.horse.com review.

“Because I was so happy with the bugpellent starter kit for my barn I decided to try the fly spray too. I really like it. It smells good and doesn't make me gag. The flies hate it. […] The flies drop or fly away and do not return. […] My fly problem is no longer a problem. Plus I love the fact that it uses all essential oils. […] I hope to try the gel soon.” – Lisa, Tahlequah; www.jefferspet.com review.

“I LOVE THIS PRODUCT! Not only is it fabulous in the horse barn but I put one up at the door of each hen house also. The flies are virtually nonexistent! […] THIS PRODUCT WORKS! PLUS it SMELLS SO GOOD. Everything smells clean and fresh.”
– Lisa, Tahlequah; www.jefferspet.com review.

“Works like a charm! I am currently using Bug Pellent on my front porch, which was previously unbearable even with a bug zapper. I cant imagine how great this will work in the barn in an enclosed space.” – Christie, OH; www.bigdweb.com review.