I have 4 horses. I use a typical over the counter fly spray for them, but it doesn't seem to help. Suggestion?

Answer 1

Try this product, it works well and even keeps them out of the eyes (is it for my my own horses)
http://www.springtimeinc.com/showview/pr...

Answer 2

Bugs are horrid this year. And biting flies can spread EIA - your horse gets that and there are two options - it never leaves your place or is euthanized. Serious stuff, no joke. (Everyone does draw a Coggins annually right).

JUST fly spray won't work. You need, especially with multiple horses, a multiple approach.
Management:
Pick up manure daily in paddocks and stalls. Don't allow standing wet spots - drier is better. Clean (as in scrub out) water tanks/buckets at least weekly.
Eash time a horse works they get hosed off...not a soap bath, but rinsed off to eliminate the sweat and dirt that attracts flies and mosquitos. If they're too young to work or injured and it's hot enough to sweat just standing, give them a hose off every few days - let them dry before turning them loose again or they'll roll and the mud will undo what you're trying to accomplish - cleaner and less flies.
Then apply a good fly spray - I prefer the Absorbine black bottle as I've found it works better.

In the far back corners of paddocks/corrals put fly bags up. In the barns - out of reach of pets and horses - use fly baits. Use the feed supplements mentioned for fly control. There's also rabon blocks you can get at places like Tractor Supply for about $7-8 - those should last your horses a month. BE SURE to get the ones labelled for horses *and* cattle not just cattle - some cattle supplements can kill a horse. Use fly strips in enclosed areas. Keep things clean - keep manure stored away from the barn. Out by the manure pile use the predator wasps.
Use the Spot On products that are put on every 2 weeks. If needed use the face masks especially for horses with eye injuries or other issues. Fly sheets help some horses.

Relying on just one thing won't work. All of the suggestions are good - but one thing while leaving manure piled in the corner of the paddock won't work. It takes aggressive pest management to get horses through the fly season.

Answer 3

I have discovered a new product for killing flies around horses living quarters. If you reduce the population, you may be able to find another spray that is more effective. I have used home made receipies and I also mix mine from concentrate. I have found buying individual bottles is cost prohibitive.

The bait I found is called Quick Bayt by Bayer. It is red granules and has a foul order, but the flies will live about one minute after landing on it. Be sure to keep it away from feed and water. It can be made into a paste and painted on, or sprinkled on manurer/urine areas or any place you are finding flies gathering. I have been amazed at the reduction in the number of flies in the areas our horses gather and the small corrals we have to keep new horses until they acclimate to our facility.

As for sprays, there are many good sprays on the market. I just use a general livestock brand that is diluted depending on the type of livestock you are spraying or if you are spraying a facility.

Good luck. Biting insects are a problem. The garlic suggestion is a good one and sulphur in the blood is good too. Eggs are a good source of sulphur.

Answer 4

I am useing a feed thru fly control this year.
It is working fairly well. I still have to spray once per day but there are way less flys than last year.
I am using Simplifly you feed a little cup of the pellets to your horse and it makes it so the flys can not breed in the horses manure. We have way less flys and what we do have are not so bad.
I use Tri-Tec for fly spray it is expensive but works better than any other I have used. Or we use one we mix up.
I take Natures Defense concentrate and mix it per the label directions and add 2 ounces of Stock Tox to it for a gallon of spary.
Good luck with the bugs they seem like a never ending battle.

Answer 5

Next year try fly predators. They are great, we have next to zero flies here. We have used them for about 7 years and not only do they keep the flies from being born so they don't bug the horses they also aren't in the house. I don't even own a fly swatter. You will still need fly spray for horse flies and such but stable flies, house flies, face flies are gone.

Answer 6

Try CV80 barn spray. I use it every year and swear by it. You can get it at Feldmans, Orschelns, or any horse book like Valley Vet Supply, State Line Tack, Country Supply. It costs around $10.

Answer 7

Try a spot product. you only have to apply every two weeks. Works great for my horses

Answer 8

Try a new brand or try Avon Skin So Soft original scent. It is an oil, so go sparingly. Works for me!

Answer 9

GARLIC it's cheap, the horse will love it, and all bugs hate the smell of it in sweat(the smell will seep out it's pores when it sweats)

Answer 10

Try a different spray.