While most equestrians are excited for warmer weather, longer days, and show season, some unpleasant challenges come along with summer. Namely, bugs! Flies, mosquitoes, ticks, and gnats aren’t just annoying; they can cause serious discomfort and even transmit diseases to your horse. The good news? There are endless options of fly spray, gear, supplements, and traps to keep your equine partner comfortable, healthy, and bug-free all season long!
Insect Repellents
Not all fly repellents are the same. Some are water-based, while others are oil-based. Some are made with only natural ingredients, while others use synthesized additives to help fend off bugs. Be sure to consider your needs, environment, and horse’s sensitivities to help you choose which bug repellent is right for you. Check out some of our favorite fly sprays below!
Ultrashield Gold
Ultrashield Gold is the newest addition to the Absorbine fly spray lineup! It sets the standard for ultimate pest protection by repelling more than 100 insect species. It can be applied daily, but its long-lasting formula can provide defense against bugs for up to 17 days. With a citrus fresh scent, both you and your horse will enjoy this fly spray.
Shapley’s Natural Fly Spray
If you prefer an all-natural repellent, Shapley’s Natural Fly Spray has you covered! Made from lemongrass, citronella, and other essential oils, it’s an eco-friendly option for fly protection. Safe for daily use, its natural formula is also ideal for horses with sensitive skin.
Need more help deciding which fly spray is right for your horse? Our Fly Spray 101 blog breaks down the different formulas in fly spray to make sure you’re choosing the best option for bug protection.
Protective Fly Gear
Just like you might wear a hat or long sleeves to keep your skin covered, your horse can benefit from physical protection, too. Keeping the bugs off your horse is important for their comfort, as well as their health. Physical coverings are especially great to use over wounds or sores to keep the bugs from aggravating them. Whether you just need a fly mask for eye coverage or you want to cover your sensitive horse head to tail, FarmVet has the protective bug gear you need.
Fly Masks
Bugs are drawn to lacrimal secretions, otherwise known as tears, so it’s important we help keep them out of our horses’ eyes. Masks come in a variety of styles, from velcro closure to slip-on lycra, and options with ear and nose protection are also available.
Fly Sheets
Lightweight and breathable, fly sheets are a great option if you’re looking for more coverage. Some styles offer even more protection by adding a detachable hood, belly guard, and extra-long tail flap as well.
Fly Boots
The best way to stop your horse from stomping off the flies is with a set of fly boots! Loose-fitting and made of durable mesh, these Deluxe Fly Boots keep the pests off without overheating your horse’s legs.
Supplements
Another great way to help your horse fight off insects is to add a feed-through fly control supplement to their diet. Garlic is a natural supplement that helps make your horse less attractive to flies. It works by releasing a sulfur-like compound through the horse’s sweat, which creates an unpleasant odor for flies but is unnoticeable to people. Other supplements, like Simplifly and Solitude IGR, contain larvicide ingredients. This prevents the fly larvae from developing into adults by inhibiting their ability to form an exoskeleton.
Pest Control
Eliminating flies and other biting insects is one of the best ways to stay protected this summer. It can be as simple as setting up some manual traps, spreading some bait in fly-prone areas, or pushing the button on your automated fly spray system inside your barn. Below are some of our best-selling pest control products.
Fly Traps
Disposable fly traps are quick, inexpensive, and effective around your barn. They are safe around horses and especially useful in enclosed areas where you don’t want the smell of sprays to be trapped.
Insecticides
To simply exterminate your uninvited barn pets, insecticide bait will do the job. It’s available in both spreadable granules, like Quickstrike Bait, and a diluted spray mixture, like Agita 10W.
Fly Spray Systems
Have you ever wished you could spray your entire barn at once to cut down on flies? Well, you can with Pyrahna’s SprayMaster Kit! Complete with an automatic timer, this starter kit comes with enough tubing and nozzles to outfit a four-stall barn.
Ready for a Fly-Free Summer?
Bugs may be a part of summer, but they don’t have to ruin it for you and your horse. By combining repellents, physical protection, supplements, and smart pest management, you can make your stable and pasture a lot less appealing to biting insects. Head over to FarmVet now to stock up on all your pest prevention and protection essentials!