Fly Control for Horses:
Tips for the Barn, Stable, and Pasture

Flies are a nuisance to both horses and their human companions. Horse flies are known for biting horses and other mammals (cattle, sheep, dogs, etc.) to feed off their blood, which can cause discomfort and irritation. In many cases, horse flies and other biting insects carry diseases, viruses, and parasites that can cause infections and other issues. Not all flies will bite your horse or carry diseases; however, non-biting flies are still irritating to horses and equestrians alike.

Flies are most active during warm summer months and most prevalent in geographic areas with high humidity, warm temperatures, and moist organic material. Barns, stables, and pastures are ideal environments for flies to reproduce and grow. As a result, we equestrians often ask, "How do I get rid of the flies around my horse and property?” The answer to that question may differ depending on your location, your fly season, and the kinds of pests you battle.

When left alone to their own devices, horse flies, mosquitos, and other pests can interrupt your horse's peaceful pasture time. Although the total elimination of flies is rarely possible, there are several effective methods you can use to help prevent a fly infestation, leading to a better summer experience for us and our horses. In this article, our equestrian experts address some of the best fly-fighting practices and types of equipment available for controlling flies.

Read on as we tackle the fly at every stage of their life to protect your horse all season long!

The first piece of information you need to know when combating flies is what types of flies populate your area. Regional areas tend to see certain species regularly, but they can vary slightly due to changes in weather patterns and individual environments. Individual environmental factors mainly refer to how much water the plot of land holds, how near to a pond, or any body of water. Knowing the bug populations in your region aids in selecting a fly formula designed to combat those species; which is why some people might rave about a fly spray but it doesn't work for another in a different region or just up the street.

Below we've included a loose guide from information gathered from the Department of Agriculture, the Smithsonian Institution, and individual state resources as to what types of flies populate different regions of the United States. These fly species are not limited to the regions listed below, but those regions regularly see the highest concentrations annually. You will not see house or biting stable flies in the chart below, as they are found throughout the entire United States due to being drawn to livestock, among other things. Knowing which other fly species are drawn to different climates can, also, help predict what flies you might be up against this fly season. If the weather in your region is trending more wet or dry from the year before, you can still be ready with the right fly control to protect your horse.

Below is a map of the United States on when fly season generally occurs throughout the country. Use the table above to understand what kind of flies you will be facing, and the graphic below to know the time of year you'll need to stock up on fly supplies for your region!

Barn, Stable, and Pasture Fly Control Tips

Regular cleaning and sanitation on your property is crucial for controlling flies, and a good fly prevention program helps eliminate any breeding sites. All property waste should be disposed of, and some good disposal options include: composting for your own use, spreading manure in fields, or offering manure to organic farmers and compost facilities. For non-recyclable waste, it is best to store it to later dispose of at a landfill. Continue reading to learn more about a few preventative measures you can take to reduce the number of pests you and your horses will have to deal with in the barn, stables, and pasture.

Barn and Stalls:

Maintain a clean barn and stalls! Since manure is an attractive food source for many insects and their larvae, speedy removal of organic waste will reduce your barn's attractiveness to unwanted pests. Clean up manure and soiled bedding at least daily, as well as any leftover soaked feeds. Urine-soaked areas and manure piles are an inviting breeding ground for flies and mosquitos; it is important to eliminate these breeding opportunities before they occur.

After mucking stalls, sweep the barn aisles of any debris. You may consider more frequent stall cleaning during the summer months when fly populations are at their peak. You can also consider adding barn curtains to your barn, which help prevent flies from entering in the first place. If your barn has a muck pile, try covering it with a plastic sheet to deter flies from getting into the moist environment, and to keep rain from saturating it.

Work to eliminate puddles or areas of standing water around your barn that provide breeding grounds for insects. Leaky hose? Broken sprinkler? No water runoffs? Fix these issues to save water and reduce the possibility of fly growth.

Pastures and Paddocks:

Good pasture management practices will similarly help control pests. Rotate pastures to prevent overgrazing, mow tall grass and weeds, and regularly remove manure and debris. If possible, limit the number of horses in a single pasture to reduce manure build-up and minimize fly breeding sites. In addition, keep water sources clean and fresh to reduce algae growth (which attracts flies).

We completely understand that daily manure removal from your pastures and paddocks may not be a practical option. If this is the case, we suggest spreading out the manure so it does not build up in one area (think run-in shelters or your horse's favorite corner). Spreading manure across the pasture helps dry it out faster to make it less attractive to horse flies, mosquitos, and other insects.

Tack and Feed Rooms:

In your tack and feed rooms, the most important thing to keep in mind is proper ventilation. If electricity is available, bring in a fan to improve airflow and help reduce humidity. Store all grain in tightly sealed containers to discourage flies from helping themselves to a yummy snack. Remove or cover standing trash to prevent pests from hanging around. Keep any perishable horse treats (apples, carrots, etc.) in a refrigerator, or ask your fellow riders to bring only what they intend to feed that same day. Finally, keep these areas as dry as possible. If you have plumbing inside your tack or feed rooms (such as a laundry sink or hose bib) make sure they drain well and are properly sealed with no leaks.

The life cycle of flies consists of three stages: eggs, larvae/pupae, and adult flies. Female flies lay their eggs on organic matter like your horse's manure. These eggs hatch into larvae, which are also known as maggots. The larvae feed on the manure and grow rapidly, eventually morphing into pupae. The pupal stage is a transitional phase where the fly undergoes metamorphosis to transform into an adult fly. The adult fly then begins the life cycle all over again!

This is the general life cycle for common flies; however, different types of flies and insects may reproduce and affect your horse differently. To learn more about the different types of flies and mosquitos that are common pests for horses, we suggest taking a look at the Merck Veterinary Manual article, Flies and Mosquitoes of Horses, by Charles M. Hendrix, DVM, PhD. Now that we better understand the fly life cycle, let us take a look at control approaches that specifically target each stage.

Fly Eggs:

The prevention of fly eggs relies heavily on a consistent cleaning schedule, as previously discussed. By removing manure and bedding at least daily, flies will have fewer opportunities to lay their eggs in the barn. Overall, the less manure on your property, the fewer flies you will have.

Another method to eliminate fly eggs is by feeding an insect control supplement. Feed-throughs are fed directly to your horse to prevent fly eggs from hatching in their manure. Some feed-through supplements can even work against the larvae stage to prevent fly growth. They break the fly cycle by not allowing the larvae to develop their exoskeletons needed for maturity.

It should be noted that in order for feed-through supplements to truly be successful, the entire barn should be on the same program or regimen. If only one horse is on such a supplement, flies will still have plenty of opportunities in the next stall.

Larvae/Pupae:

Introducing fly predators to your barn can help prevent larvae and pupae from ever reaching the adult stage. Fly predators are gnat-sized bugs that are natural enemies to many types of flies; they lay eggs inside the fly pupa, which destroys the flies at the pupal stage in return.

Fly predators can be placed in a manure pile, along the fence line of a pasture, or in any moist environment where flies like to breed. With maintenance, fly predators can work all season long to naturally prevent flies from bothering you and your horse during the summer season.

Adult Flies:

There are a wide variety of ways for equestrians to combat adult flies, including but not limited to: fly sprays, fly traps, and property equipment. Continue reading to learn the advantages of each preventative method.

Horse Fly Sprays and Topical Fly Treatments

Fly sprays and topical treatments ward away flies by covering the horse with a layer of natural or synthetic insecticide or essential oils. Insecticides are a common ingredient for most sprays and roll-ons, as they are powerful repellents. However, natural fly products are becoming a popular choice among equestrians—especially for horses with skin sensitivities. Products without insecticides repel with natural ingredients, such as: citronella, lemongrass, thyme, peppermint, and other botanicals.

Both horse fly sprays and topicals work to knock down flies; however, they must be applied regularly to be effective. Depending on the product, some must be applied daily while others that are sweat- and water-resistant can last up to a few weeks.

When purchasing topical fly repellent, consider what kinds of flies you are dealing with. Some products target specific insect species; be sure to read labels carefully, then decide which is the best solution for you and your horse!

Premise Fly Sprays

Premise fly sprays offer a quick way to knock down adult flies and are a great choice for barns with lots of bug activity. Larger barns may want to invest in a premise spray system, which is a series of tubes with misting heads that release insecticides at regular intervals. Some horse fly sprays with a strong insecticide presence can also work as premise spray around the barn to create a "no fly zone." Simply mist your horse fly spray around doors and windows to discourage flies from entering, or in the areas you notice flies tend to hang around.

If you do choose to utilize premise sprays, it is important to understand that they can also kill your helpful fly parasites. Consider this when deciding on your fly protocol for the season.

Fly Traps and Outdoor Repellents

Fly traps, fly tapes, and fly baits work by attracting flies using an appealing scent or visual. All of these repellents lure flies in to prevent them from escaping, or kill them through what they consume. Most require minimal setup, and depending on the trap and how many flies you have, some can last an entire season!

Fly traps work best if you can lure flies away from the barn and horses. Try placing them in different locations until you find an ideal place or two for catching the most flies. Fly tape can be hung in places where flies would most likely land, such as the ceiling or rafters of the barn. Fly baits can be sprinkled directly on the ground; however, they should not come in direct contact with your horses, children, or pets.

Air Circulation

A strong wind current from fans makes it harder for flies to travel through the barn. Consider hanging a box fan in your horse's stall to better prevent flies from landing on them. Even making this small change can keep your horse more comfortable during the summer months! With this method, you can also help prevent your horse from overheating, as improved air circulation provides a cooling effect.

Physical barriers are items you place on your horse to prevent adult flies from landing directly on their skin. They typically include fly sheets, masks, and boots. Searching for more in-depth details on the differences between all of the options? Take a look at our ultimate Guide to Fly Control Gear for Horses first.

Most fly gear is made from lightweight, breathable mesh materials to allow for better airflow during the warm summer months. Some horses only need a fly mask to be happy; on the other hand, more sensitive horses may require additional protection to stay comfortable. Strategic features such as a belly band or full ear and nose coverage better protect your horse from the issues that can arise due to pests and intense sun rays.

Although barrier protectors must eventually be replaced due to wear and tear, they can be a great solution for boarding facilities that do not offer a broad fly control program. Can you and your horse not stand the bugs and need some fly gear while riding together? Take a look at our fly gear for riding!

We suggest taking the efforts necessary to break the fly life cycle at multiple stages in order to significantly reduce the number of pests you and your horses experience during the fly season. Remember these key points, which impact your success rate:

• Reduce or eliminate fly breeding opportunities by maintaining a clean barn and promptly removing manure.
• Understand the life cycle of flies and know which life stage your fly preventatives disturb.
• Invest in equipment and products that address your specific fly-related issues.

We hope you have found these tips and tricks helpful for your own bug battle, so you can get the most out of the warmer seasons with your four-legged friends! Please reach out to our friendly customer service team at info@ridingwarehouse.com or (800) 620-9145 should you have any lingering questions.