How To Beat Flies This Summer
When bug season arrives, you know how annoying it is when you have to swat at those pesky pests. It’s hard to enjoy your time outdoors when all you do is try to avoid mosquitoes, ticks, gnats, etc. Just imagine how your livestock feel. Horses especially are prey for flies and it can drive your equine crazy! Unfortunately, flies are more than pests. They can also carry diseases, cause sores and leave behind harmful bacteria. To protect your horse and livestock this bug season, here are some tips.
Fly season typically begins as soon as the weather starts to warm up. In Canada, that means that flies will start to breed as early as March and they will keep feeding and breeding until early fall so stock up early so you’re ready when the first ones start to appear.
- Just like layers of clothing can help you avoid the bites of flies, the same can work for your horse. Look for durable and comfortable masks, boots, hoods, fly sheets or veils and put them on your horse to offer some relief.
- Repellants have long been used to keep your livestock fly-free but in recent years, natural repellants have offered better and healthier options. Whenever possible, use natural repellants that are less harmful to your pet and the environment. Consider whether you prefer oil or water-based and how long the treatment will last and always test a small spot first to ensure your pet won’t have a reaction.
- Feed-through repellants are an option that can include garlic or vinegar which often offer other health benefits.
- Set fly traps to help reduce flies in your barn. Be sure to place sticky traps or zappers in locations where flies like to go including near lights and warm areas. Be sure though to place these items where no other animals can reach them.
- Finally, cleanliness is the key. Flies are attracted to manure where they lay their eggs so keeping the space clean is a must. Change the water regularly and keep the space dry and manure-free.
Help your livestock enjoy summer as much as you do and use these tips to keep their spaces bug-free. And click here to see what you can find at Blue Barn.
