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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 342
 
Location: Alabama | This year in Alabama, flies are TERRIBLE!!! The worst part is, my colt is alergic to there bites!! I have tried EVERY kind of fly spray, ointments, ect and nothing seems to be working this year. so I've taken some more drastic measures, keep in Mind my horses are turned out 24/7 on 5+ acres of pasture...
1) I've ordered equispots the two week fly repellent that come like advantix for dogs
2) I bought my baby a fly sheet, however in Alabama its 98degrees and I have a fear of him over heating in it... ?
What else can I do to help?! Anyone ever tried it have experience with this? |
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 Take a Picture
Posts: 12841
  
| Spalding Fly Predators definitely help. The problem I had was that the fire ants ate them. I find that fly sheets help most. They don't really make my horses any hotter in TX heat but foals are a little different. Their thermostats don't work so well in heat. If your baby is 3-4 months old I think you are OK but check regularly. Remember to take any kind of sheet off every few days to check for rubbing and changes in the horse like weight loss, hair loss, sores mastitis, etc. |
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 Serious Snap Trapper
Posts: 4275
Location: In The Snow, AZ | My neighbor swears by Spalding Fly Predators. I'll be ordering them this year. The little fly catchers and fly spray aren't cutting it. |
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 Midget Lover
Location: Kentucky | I have found NOTHING that works. The only thing that gives mine relief is bringing them up during the day in the barn and putting fans on them. They wait for me at 6:00 AM to be brought in the barn. They know that's where they can get relief. |
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 Accident Prone
Posts: 22277
Location: 100 miles from Nowhere, AR | Murphy - 2015-06-23 11:17 AM I have found NOTHING that works. The only thing that gives mine relief is bringing them up during the day in the barn and putting fans on them. They wait for me at 6:00 AM to be brought in the barn. They know that's where they can get relief.
Our flies are way worse than normal here too. Hot, humid and no breeze makes me afraid to use fly sheets. I give mine access to fans at all times. The horse that reacts to fly bites also has a pink nose that sunburns, so I keep her up during the day. |
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Red Bull Agressive
Posts: 5981
Location: North Dakota | No additional ideas here, but just note MAKE SURE YOU DO A SPOT TEST WITH THE EQUISPOT! My horse had a terrible reaction and was acting like it was burning him. |
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 Experienced Mouse Trapper
Posts: 3106
Location: North Dakota | I use equispot, fly predators and then mix up about 10 gallons of tempo and spray the entire area around our place (5 acres) works pretty dang good. |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
| I cannot use the Equispot all 3 of mine acted like it burned them. The Tempo works great in and around the barn and house. I alternate on my fly sprays and I also use Avon Skin So Soft Original. Tea Tree Oil baths. Oh and also fly predators. I had always prided myself on keeping my barn fly free (or as much as I could) until the rains here in Oklahoma and my barn took in water and now am trying to get all the wet shavings out so I can put a load of dirt on the barn floor. |
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 Regular
Posts: 97
Location: Tennessee | I use Cutter Backwoods. Yes it's for people but it's works SO much better then fly spray! You don't have to douse them in it either. Don't use OFF Deepwoods though, it doesn't work near as good, don't ask me why lol but anyways Cutter is worth a try. It's especially useful during a ride. |
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Regular
Posts: 79
| what is Tempo?I use the fly predators but our weather has been so rainy that I don't think they have a chance to do their job ... I use fly masks and fly boots and fans
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| I can go one step farther. Both of my horses are allergic to most fly sprays... Talk about sucking.
I have found a fly spray system that my gelding isn't allergic to, so we just put that in his stall and he just stays inside (has the door open to go outside, but he stays inside where there are no flies). My mare gets a fly mask with ears, and we have fly bands on her legs that work pretty well, but her ears were the worst so the mask takes care of a lot. |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7268
| Okay, I'm going to sound like a crazy person but I'll tell you what has worked for me. I remembered at the track, the Mexicans would hang up baggies filled with water and several shiny pennies. This year, the flies were horrible and I have tried EVERYTHING well, finally I tried the baggies and I SWEAR they help - I have NO idea why but google it and you will find several articles about it. I figured it was darned near free so why not try it and it DID seem to work for me.
Fly Preditors never worked for me and now it's too late in the year to start with them. |
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"Heck's Coming With Me"
Posts: 10797
Location: Kansas | Given a little time the biting flies will go away and the more controllable stable flies will factor in. Yes, they've been horrible but I'm starting to see a change. It's an every year ordeal.
Griz, that penny thing I've never heard of but will try. I can actually afford that.
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 I hate cooking and cleaning
Posts: 3314
Location: Jersey Girl | I would be careful using fly sheets. I bought one for my gelding and it def makes him hot. I quit using it on really hot humid days. Maybe the higher end ones won't do that? |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
| You can get Tempo at Tractor Supply. I use it as a stable/barn spray, I do not spray on the horses. I also use it around the house as a premise spray. Takes care of the creepy crawlies. I have also sprayed in on the fire ant mounds. I mix it with water in one of those 2 gallon spray tanks. I mix it a little stronger than the directions say if I use it as a premise spray. Also knocks down wasps. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 372
| If you are using fly predators and tempo you are killing he FP's also.
which is fine because they don't work.
This year the only thing that I have found to give any relief is to hang fly tags on them.
I change them out ever 10 days or so.
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 Vodka for Lunch
Location: Lala Land | I really like the Big D or the Weatherbeta Genero fly sheets. The Dura Mesh from Weatherbeta is quite a bit heavier and they will sweat in hot/humid weather. I also use the black bottle of Absorbine fly spray & fly masks. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it continues to work. |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
| Fly Tags?? You mean like the ones you put on cattle? How do you put them on? I don't spray the Tempo where I have put the fly predators. |
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 Stinky Cat Owner
Posts: 4097
Location: Oregon | My buckskin is horribly bothered by flies and the one thing that helps the most is Tri-tech 14 fly spray every couple days and having him wear a fly sheet. The best ones I’ve found for him are the Saxon basic fly sheets. SUPER light and very airy, simple little fly sheet. They are inexpensive too (our bestseller). My horses all have their own pens/runs and this big guy is super easy going. I have another horse that would literally shred this little fly sheet right off his own body because he’s naughty and they are not super tough. Love the Big D mesh fly sheets as well that was mentioned too. |
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Sparklin Cowgirl
Posts: 4379
| I have to give two of mine Trihist everyday because they have a reaction. That seems to help with the lumps and bumps. I keep them in during the day and turn out at night with a fly sheet. I also use Smart Bug Off Ultra from Smart Pak. I typcially start feeding it to everyone in late March/early April. This year I was late and can tell a big difference from last year. The Smart Bug Off Ultra has stuff in it to help discourage flies from biting them and breeding in their poop. I don't think there is any cure the problem but it at least helps. |
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