Flies! Flies! Flies! Everyone struggles with these pesky insects, causing frustration not only to us but also to our beloved animals.

House flies may not bite but are major carriers of disease and a cause for concern. Every horse and every owner know the distinct sound of horse flies or deer flies putting everyone on edge. Creating a plan of action before a swarm of flies appears will keep everyone happy this summer.

Manure Maintenance

Have you thought about what you want to do with manure that is building up? There are a few options to reduce manure build-up in and around the barn. Composting, spreading, and disposal are the most common solutions.

Dragging pastures with a chain harrow, or a similar device will help to evenly distribute the manure. This will not only help fertilize, but it will also aid in your fly reduction strategy.

Flies deposit eggs in the first few inches of manure. When the manure is spread thinly across the pasture you're taking the first step in breaking their lifecycle.

Fans

Have you ever noticed that there are typically fewer flies on a windy day? Flies have a hard time flying with a breeze so barn fans are a great option to provide relief on hot days and serve as extra fly protection. Fans over each stall, alleyways, and other places horses congregate close to barns will help keep everyone happy.

Misting Systems

Implementing a misting system will help reduce flies and other pests in the barn. With this fly control tactic, horses are kept in their stall and then a spray system automatically releases a repellent/insecticide throughout the day. The spray lands on the horses and will prevent flies and other harmful pests from landing and biting. Country Vet, a Durvet vendor, provides a full line of misting systems for protection from flies, insects & mosquitos.

In the end, start with items you know you can control and work up to the other items that you'd like to implement into your fly-control practices.

Remember this list doesn't include fly sprays, masks or other repellants. Look for those helpful tips in the Durvet blog coming soon!