Summer Fly Control for Horse Farms

by Lisa Kiley – Published in Saddle Up Magazine June 2022

June is one of the best months of the year for horse people.  The weather is consistently warm, the horses are happy spending more time grazing and all the plans from shows to trail rides are taking shape for the summer with lots of great rides to look forward to.  However, like every season, there are always challenges to deal with as well.  In the summer, one of the biggest problems we deal with is the different flies and pests that buzz around bugging our horses and bothering us too.  Fortunately, there are several things that can be done to keep bugs at bay when it comes to the barn and pasture. 

Say ‘No’ to Standing Water – There are certain environments where flies and mosquitos thrive, so looking around the barn and field and fixing the areas that may attract unwanted pests is a great first step.  Look for any areas that have standing water which can attract flies and especially mosquitos.  Standing water may come from low areas or improper drainage.  Around the barn, clean gutter systems regularly and make sure that the downspouts are functioning correctly and that the water has a place to go.  Adding ground materials that offer better drainage in these areas can also be helpful.  Adding some landscaping that is horse friendly is also another way to help soak up some extra water around the barn.  Removing standing water will help keep pests away and will have the bonus of helping to prevent mud near the barn as well, which leads to many additional problems for horses and humans. 

Manage Manure – Manure piles are a huge magnet for all sorts of pests and in the summer the heat makes manure breeding grounds for unwanted flies.  Manure needs to be managed in a comprehensive way from the stall to the field and everywhere in-between.  Starting in the stalls, make sure that they are cleaned daily and that urine spots are also thoroughly cleared out.  Kiln dried bedding and stall additives can also help keep stalls fresh and fly free.  Keeping wheelbarrows and manure buckets out of the barn and stowed in a place where they won’t collect water will help with fly prevention.  When it comes to the manure pile, focusing on a composting system that is convenient enough to access, but still far enough from the barn so that it minimizes the number of flies moving from the pile into the barn.  In the field, regular harrowing to break up manure clumps and keeping smaller dry lots picked will go far to minimize flies outside of the barn.

Enlist Helpers – While we want to work toward limiting pests that can spread diseases like mosquitos and the common house fly, there are Fly Predators that can be released around the barn, field and manure storage/compost bins that will do a great job at feeding on the larvae of the undesirable pests.  The amount of fly predators that need to be released depends on the area that is being covered and there are usually subscriptions that can be made so that these friendly flies can be delivered right to your door.  Additionally, consider adding some feathered friends.  Guinea fowl are one of the best natural predators of flies, mosquitos, ticks, mites and more, they are vigilant and low maintenance.  They can be quite noisy and will protect the barn yard against all sorts of predators from small to large, but do best in a more rural setting.  Chickens also do their fair share of bug consumption, but will require a bit more maintenance and work, but the bonus of fresh eggs might be worth the work.   

Stable Management – Beyond clean stalls, there are several things that can help keep flies out of the barn. Proper ventilation and moving air can be a big help in keeping pests moving along.  Fans placed in stalls or loafing sheds will provide relief for the horses.  Just make sure that the fans are graded for agricultural purposes and that the cords are out of reach so that the horses can’t chew on them.  As a bonus, it will help keep the horses cooler and can push stagnant air out of the barn.  Products like KleerFlex doors can help keep insects out of the barn without inhibiting horses from moving in and out of the barn.  Keep any grains and supplements tightly covered. Clean feed buckets, pans and bins frequently to avoid build up residue that can attract flies.  Scrub water buckets and troughs regularly to avoid algae formation that can attract mosquitos.  Dump garbage regularly and keep a lid on receptacles to avoid attracting pests. 

For the Horse – When it comes to the horse directly, there are a lot of items that can help prevent them from being bothered by flies.  There are many different sprays and products on the market from chemical to natural.  When choosing a product, consider the application and make sure to read the instructions thoroughly.  Fly masks can help prevent horses from having flies on their face and some even cover the ears as well.  Fly sheets and leg protection come in various materials that won’t allow flies to get near the horse, they can also help with UV rays and prevent a horse’s coat from fading.  Make sure the products are a good fit and regularly monitor to make sure that the horse is comfortable.  Groom your horse regularly to check for bug bites, irritation from pests, and look for/remove ticks.  Allowing your horses tail to flow naturally is also a great defense against flies as well.  There are also feed through supplements that can help your horse be less attractive to the fly population.  Last but not least, ask your veterinarian for their recommendations for your horse to ensure that they have the proper vaccinations against diseases that can be caused by these pests.   

Most importantly, keeping flies at bay will help you have more fun spending time with your horse this summer!