Flies and More Flies
- August 04, 2009
- Category: Daily Diary
- (26) Comments
Warning – If you don’t like graphic horse poop photos, don’t read.
Horses = Poop = Flies
So how do you combat those pesky insects? There’s fly spray . The natural sprays work somewhat and the chemical ones work better but I can’t use chemicals on organic farm land. And, besides sprays don’t last more than a couple of hours if you’re lucky.
You can use a feed through fly control. The organic ones don’t work so well and the others also have chemicals. Forget it.
I do use a fly sheet and a fly mask. But Khrysta doesn’t appreciate wearing clothes. Before I can get the darn thing buckled, she’s off and rolling.
Leaving us to see more than we ever wanted.
Next, she tries shaking off her sheet.
Finally, I get her dressed. Doesn’t she look like a medieval warrior horse or perhaps a giant pink rabbit?
So to stop flies before they start, I use fly predators.
5,000 of the mighty little bugs arrive in the mail nestled in pine shavings in a plastic bag. I set them aside for a couple of days until they hatch.
After the babies are born, I open the bag and go in search of fresh horse poop (not a problem).
Then, I release some of the tiny fly predators on each fresh manure pile and they go straight to work eating their favorite snack, fly larvae. And no need to worry about tackling every poop, these small beasts can jump 150 feet.
And that’s how we combat flies down on the farm.
I think your horse needs to have a little more decorum, lol, and perhaps a sense of privacy….and decency…though I am sure that "Play Stallion" would love those shots, LOL.
I hope your fly predators work
Date: August 04, 2009
Very interesting! I had no idea there were creatures that feasted on fly larvae. Now if I could just scatter some of them around my in-laws back yard. I have never seen so many flies in one yard!
Your horse looks suited up and ready for a joust! Poor thing. I don't blame her. I'd be rolling around trying to get the thing off too. Then again…it would be much better than those pesky flies.
~Jen
Date: August 04, 2009
What a great idea, I'd not heard of that.
Date: August 04, 2009
I've heard of the fly predators but am wondering how long they last. Do they stick around the entire fly season or do you have to get more of them? Would love to hear how they work. I had to quit using fly sprays years ago when I started having reactions and now I make my own fly repellent using essential oils in warm water. But, my new horse is freaked out by the sprayer so I have to apply hers with a mitt, what a chore! When we had chickens they would eat a lot of the fly larvae before they hatched and that helped a lot but after all the chickens crossed the Rainbow Bridge, hubby said no more. Would love to find an easy low maintenance answer to fly season!
Date: August 04, 2009
I know…..they are so annoying. Don't really know of anything organically that works too well. Everyone always says to try this and try that……..but never works.
I remember I bathed my dogs in citronella shampoo, soap etc….did it work….NO!
Lets see my list of organic failures…
-Planting mint that spread and spread
-garlic
-skin so soft (that was really a disaster)
-onions
-anything citronella
-mosquito plants (geranium)
-bats in the attic…not by choice…but they didn't help with the eating mosquitos as everyone says they do
Date: August 04, 2009
Cool way of combating flies!
Poor her not wanting to wear her clothes – but best so to keep her from being bitten.
Date: August 04, 2009
Very interesting! I've never heard of fly predators! Clever!!
Date: August 04, 2009
Too bad she doesn't know how much that fabric helps her from being bitten. Silly horsey.
Date: August 04, 2009
I really like the clouds over your farm. I love clouds and those are amazing.
I don't blame your horse…blankets and glasses and heat! Sheesh.
BUT no flies.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Date: August 04, 2009
Khrysta definitely doesn't look real pleased to be dressed up! lol
What is the fly predator stuff? What's in it?
Date: August 04, 2009
I always wondered how those fly predators worked. Thank you for the excellent explanation!
Nothin wrong with a little horse (or donkey) poop now and then
It's a daily part of life with equines! -tammy
Date: August 04, 2009
That was interesting, I had no idea you could solve a fly problem with fly predators! And I never saw a horse trying to get out of clothes before either! LOL Your farm tales make me glad I'm a city girl!
Date: August 05, 2009
We use fly predators and LOVE them!!! They are so fantastic!! It did take about a month to notice the difference, so we are going to start them much earlier next year, but what a huge improvement. Syd's pasture is right along a little creek, so we put a bunch of predators out there too. I love them!!! Let me know how they work for you.
Date: August 05, 2009
My weak stomach says …interesting! LOL
Date: August 05, 2009
The pictures of the horse rolling around on the ground are funny. I kind of feel sorry for it for having to wear that stuff. At least there's that other solution for the flies.
Date: August 05, 2009
Love the pictures of your horse rolling over. Flies are no fun, thanks for all the pointers on how to deal w/them.
Date: August 05, 2009
Wish they sold mosquito predators, bats eat them but I don't see too many of those around here. Someone mentioned Avon's Skin So Soft, the orinal scent is the one to use. I hear it does pretty good for keeping bugs off. Good luck!
Date: August 05, 2009
I have used the feed through fly control and it works moderately well but can understand not wanting to use it. I also used the predators but found that with the influx of flies I just was not getting the control that I wanted. We have sooo many horses nearby. About a 1/2 mile away directly in eye site is a thoroughbred training site with like 120 horses.
Flies are just that unwanted bonus with horses.
Date: August 06, 2009
I'm not sure what is worse–flies or horse clothes. I'm guessing the horse thinks both!
BTW–I really love that photo on your header. Lovely!
Date: August 06, 2009
Eek! I had to quickly scroll past all that (too graphic for me)…welcome to SITS!
~Penelope
Date: August 06, 2009
The sheet was stylin!
Welcome to SITS! We are excited to have you!
Date: August 06, 2009
So Khrysta is a 'nudist" wannabe? LOL
Date: August 06, 2009
150 feet?!! Wow! Very interesting!
You have a lovely farm and a beautiful voice!
Be well~Andrea~
Date: August 06, 2009
Do they work? Can't wait to hear. Do you think they sell clown predators?
Great Krysta photos. She does look kinda regal in that get-up!
Date: August 06, 2009
What a great solution. I'm glad you were able to find a way of combatting the problem without chemicals. I know they work well in most cases, but the residual affects are troubling. Wonderfully useful information you provided for other horse people.
Date: August 07, 2009
I've always wondered how well these work. It seems like a fantastic solution…now to convince our barn manager!
Date: August 10, 2009