They’re here! We hate to admit it, but the first flies of the summer have begun to land in stables and farms. Before you and your horse become covered in bites, here are some ways to keep flies at a minimum, both around the farm and while you’re riding.
Minimize Standing Water
Flies lay their eggs in standing water, and if given long enough, that will mean more flies. So, your goal should be to minimize the amount of standing water available on your farm. Activities like dumping and cleaning water buckets and troughs every few days (which should really be done anyway) can help cut down on the fly population. If you have wet areas on your property where water pools frequently, think about adding extra drainage to reduce the standing water.
Encourage Predators Who Eat the Flies
There’s a way to take care of those flies naturally. Consider bringing in animals who feast on flies. Guinea fowl can be great for this, and fly predators are another option. And those pesky barn swallows? Let them stay – they eat flies and can help keep your barn fly-free.
Zip-Lock Bags of Water and Pennies(?)
Take this one with a grain of salt: rumor has it that if you fill a Zip-Lock bag with water, toss in 5 or 6 pennies, and hang it in each doorway to your barn, the flies will not enter. We haven’t yet tried this ourselves, and while some people swear by it, others say it doesn’t work. That said, giving it a try can’t hurt – and if you try it, would you report back to us and let us know what you think?
Horse Clothing
Fly sheets, leg fly wraps, fly masks… the tools of the trade when it comes to fly season. They’re classic, and they work. It’s rumored that zebra print helps to deter flies – we don’t know if this is actually true, but if you happen upon a zebra print fly sheet, try it out! If you’re shopping for fly masks, check out our review of SmartPak’s Classic Fly Mask. Tip: Opt for fly sheets and masks that offer UV protection for added benefit.
Fly Spray
Dousing your horse in fly spray can help lessen the bites he receives during rides and while in his field. You may have to try a few different brands before you find one that works well for your horse and the flies in your area. If you’re looking to save money, then buy a large jug of concentrated fly spray. Mixing up your own bottles typically costs less than it would cost to buy them individually in the store.
So, have we given you a place to start in fighting the flies this summer? If you have any other favorite tips, please share them with us in the comments.
Image source: https://flic.kr/p/2ePzEW
Minimize Standing Water
Flies lay their eggs in standing water, and if given long enough, that will mean more flies. So, your goal should be to minimize the amount of standing water available on your farm. Activities like dumping and cleaning water buckets and troughs every few days (which should really be done anyway) can help cut down on the fly population. If you have wet areas on your property where water pools frequently, think about adding extra drainage to reduce the standing water.
Encourage Predators Who Eat the Flies
There’s a way to take care of those flies naturally. Consider bringing in animals who feast on flies. Guinea fowl can be great for this, and fly predators are another option. And those pesky barn swallows? Let them stay – they eat flies and can help keep your barn fly-free.
Zip-Lock Bags of Water and Pennies(?)
Take this one with a grain of salt: rumor has it that if you fill a Zip-Lock bag with water, toss in 5 or 6 pennies, and hang it in each doorway to your barn, the flies will not enter. We haven’t yet tried this ourselves, and while some people swear by it, others say it doesn’t work. That said, giving it a try can’t hurt – and if you try it, would you report back to us and let us know what you think?
Horse Clothing
Fly sheets, leg fly wraps, fly masks… the tools of the trade when it comes to fly season. They’re classic, and they work. It’s rumored that zebra print helps to deter flies – we don’t know if this is actually true, but if you happen upon a zebra print fly sheet, try it out! If you’re shopping for fly masks, check out our review of SmartPak’s Classic Fly Mask. Tip: Opt for fly sheets and masks that offer UV protection for added benefit.
Fly Spray
Dousing your horse in fly spray can help lessen the bites he receives during rides and while in his field. You may have to try a few different brands before you find one that works well for your horse and the flies in your area. If you’re looking to save money, then buy a large jug of concentrated fly spray. Mixing up your own bottles typically costs less than it would cost to buy them individually in the store.
So, have we given you a place to start in fighting the flies this summer? If you have any other favorite tips, please share them with us in the comments.
Image source: https://flic.kr/p/2ePzEW
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