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Discussion on Fly Sprays - Which is Best - Help Needed!!!! | |
Author | Message |
Member: judyhens |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 9, 2009 - 9:03 am: I have read the article on Fly Control. We clean stalls twice a day, have a spray system for the barn (which only has a few horses in it), have fans up for barn stalls, collect and use a manure spreader for fields without horses, use fly predators where we don't have a spray system and spray the pastured horses. We are in the middle of a DrOught. There is absolutely no standing water... AND...over the last week or so.... WE STILL HAVE FLIES AND MISERABLE HORSES. These are small biting flies that hurt terribly. I have rarely seen this type of fly - and have had horses many years. We have had horses throw themselves down on the ground to rub and get relief. The neighbors horse escaped his field, galloped over, and threw himself down near our barn. He was fine, just had about 100 of these little stinging flies on him. We are using a variety of fly sprays, none of which are cheap, and buying by the gallon. The last one we used said that it controls up to 17 days. Yeah right! More like 1.5 days. We do see immediate kill and relief after spraying. The next day everyone is still reasonably happy. By day 3, they are back to stomping and tail swishing.We are leaving for a 3 week trip on Thursday. But will have full time/ 24/7 staff here to take care of the horses. Any ideas re: most effective sprays? Other ideas? WHAT ARE THESE TERRIBLE FLIES ANYWAY???? We have too many horses to bring everyone in to the barn daily and too many to purchase fly sheets for everyone. Any help would be appreciated! I need to order an adequate supply of something before we leave. Thanks in advance! Judy |
Member: scooter |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 9, 2009 - 10:14 am: Judy I don't think a fly spray exists that lasts more than a day. I use Final Fly-t it is oil based.Oil based is going to last a little longer then water based sprays if you don't mind dusty horses they do attract the dirt! When the flies and/or bots are bad here this is what I do and it works fairly long, but the horses do get greasy looking. Legs, under belly, ears, mane crest, tail head get a generous amount of clear swat put on them...this can last up to a week depending on rain fall...sounds like that isn't a worry for you! Final Fly T or Wipe(wipe on)Better than the RTU for the rest of the body. This is the only thing that works for days for mine. The flies are horrible here too. If the swat is too expensive for the amount of horses you have the wipe on wipe works pretty well, for a good amount of time. |
Member: scooter |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 9, 2009 - 10:17 am: OH I wonder if the flies you are dealing with are green heads. Their bite is horrible! They seem to go away after a few weeks...we already went through the green head torture and now they are gone. |
Member: canter |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 9, 2009 - 11:35 am: Judy,I'm pretty sure I've tried pretty much everything on the market, from the relatively inexpensive Bronco to the brands that cost aprox $50 a gallon. I honestly don't see a difference from one brand to the next, and buy the mid price brands only to make myself feel better. The Swat brand works very well for small areas (my mare seems very vulnerable to swollen ankles from bites so I apply just there), and I've had to resort to leg wraps and a fly mask. It's been a weird year here too for flies and other biting insects. I keep my fingers crossed for windy days...and even then the horses don't get complete relief. |
Member: vickiann |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 9, 2009 - 12:14 pm: For our Florida flies I wouldn't even bother to take the time to put on the Bronco. I bought a case of it once and it repelled nothing. I contributed most of it to an auction for one of my trail riding clubs.I used to mix my own Flysect Super - C and that worked pretty well, but now there is a big shipping fee (some kind of environmental charge) on that entering the state and I cannot find it in any of the stores in anything larger than a rather small container. Since the extra charge for the Super C, I've been using either the DuraGuard or UltraShield but cannot use the UltraShield on one horse who is sensitive to one of the ingredients. Also, I use some Bug Block though that seems to last less long than the others. The brands that say they kill ticks seem to last longer than the other sprays do, though nothing lasts for the amount of time claimed. Applying with a mit rather than spraying on results in much better coverage, less waste and a longer-lasting result. I do not use any of the human DEET containing sprays as my horse's skin peels off when that is applied. As Diane suggested, I too have liked the Wipe brand pretty well but I do not like to use it because of how much dirt sticks to it, especially for my palomino paint horse and my flea bit gray. I recall using something called War Paint that stayed on quite long and lasted well, but it also seemed to cause some skin peeling and like the Swat, was generally used just for special areas like ears or face. It's so hot here in the summer the swat seems to kind of melt off sooner than during other times of the year. While we have a bigger variety of biting flies during the summer, those small biting flies were much worse here during the winter months, which is our dry season. They haven't been as bad since the rains came. Overall this is being a pretty good summer with regard to flies in my location but I spray when I feed in the evening to discourage mosquito bites and this also seems to keep ticks off the horses. |
Member: leslie1 |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 9, 2009 - 2:00 pm: Hi JudySince nothing really lasts I usually will only spray their belly and top of tail, I use the Deep Woods Off, Sportsman. Fly masks. When the farrier is out I use Pyhranna, all over. The flies we have are small, black things. They torment the horses L |
Member: lilo |
Posted on Sunday, Aug 9, 2009 - 2:32 pm: Hi Judy - I also use the Pyrhana wipe and spray on my horses - but it does not last longer than maybe a day. Is great before a trail ride. So far it is the most effective one I have found. I have been wanting to experiment with home made stuff (most based on Dawn liquid detergent and vinegar or Listerine mouthwash, with maybe some essential oils. Right now I don't have a good spray bottle. There are some threads here about home made fly sprays, if you search.Lilo |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Tuesday, Aug 11, 2009 - 2:06 am: Judy, could you take a picture of the flies so we might identify them?DrO |
Member: judyhens |
Posted on Thursday, Aug 13, 2009 - 8:19 am: Thanks for everyone's replies! You are appreciated! - Dr. O. - we are leaving the country for three weeks. I just checked the messages today. If we still have a problem when we return I will take a close up picture. Otherwise, we would probably get about 100 in one shot. :-(I ordered 5 gallons of spray before the trip. Hopefully they won't need to use all of them. Again, thanks for everyone's suggestions. Judy |
Member: boots |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 4, 2010 - 9:51 am: Fly Spray Advise Needed.... I want to mix Avon Skin So Soft Bath Oil with water again for a fly spray and can't remember the formula. Can one of you help? Fly season is right around the corner again, and my mare has an alergy to the little buggers. She keeps a raw, bleeding, lower leg (just one leg!)all summer and fall in spite of sprays and a fly leg wrap. I have used many different sprays. Any ideas will be appreciated. Thanks. |
Member: cometrdr |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 4, 2010 - 12:19 pm: I use the Avon full strength in a sprayer on head and neck areas only - I am totally sold on Phyrana (spelling???) the yellow bottle you'll recognize it. I use that every where else and of course fly masks and leggins on all 4 legs in prime season. BUT.... I am Desert south west - mostly just the pesky house fly type things. and not a lot of them either - we use fly preditors and I am AR about Poop. I pick up 3 X a day in the whole pasture, and then crush the balls to eliminate any place for the flys to germinate.My TWH /QH mix (yea I have one too) gets annoyed and some bumps from flys and mosquitos so I try to keep him safe. |
Member: leslie1 |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 4, 2010 - 1:37 pm: Pyrahanan for my guys.its the only one that works...I think I would hate to know whats in it tho....ignorance is bliss |
Member: boots |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 4, 2010 - 3:28 pm: Thank you Muffi and Leslie - I will order LOTS of Avon oil and will find the Pyranha and get it also. I must get ahead of these pests this year if possible. I have tried several sprays and none have helped. Swat didn't do much either. I hate using harsh chemicals, but it's time. This is a 19 yr. old QH mare, a sweetheart. My TWH gelding isn't bothered like she is, but he will appreciate this also. I board so can't really control the manure like I would at home. Every day I go and slick up stalls and clean feet even if not riding and grooming. In summer the horses are in daytimes and out at night and the reverse in Winter. They have a large pasture with 9 other horses.This is West Virginia. Thanks, again. |
Member: leslie1 |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 4, 2010 - 4:55 pm: bootssounds like your already doing what u can. she may need one of those steriod shots(?) ...if u havent already ...check out DrO's article on culicoide(sp?) senstivity, sweet itch article under disease, skin... |
Member: boots |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 4, 2010 - 8:32 pm: Leslie - I am studying. Thanks |
Member: zarr |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 4, 2010 - 9:14 pm: Skin so Soft by the case! Add 1c apple cider vinegar or reg white vinegar which ever works also eucalyptus oil 1 tbs. to 2c SsS plus 1c water. I've played with this over the yrs. Been known to add 1 tsp lavendar or lemon oil. My big gelding starts grumbling about wearing girly stuff but it does help1 Also use fly predators. |
Member: boots |
Posted on Friday, Mar 5, 2010 - 10:50 am: Thanks, Cindy. I will start mixing and spraying as I see the first fly! or maybe just before!! I can try everyone's suggestions and see what works here with our brand of insects. I'm anxious to see what the Pyranha smells like. My big gelding did smell 'sweet' last summer from the Avon but held his head high anyway. |
Member: cometrdr |
Posted on Friday, Mar 5, 2010 - 11:36 am: Pyranha smells like Horse to me.... as a kid I remember smelling it on horses so it is 'Manly" for the geldings but gentle enough for the fillies too! HA HA Sounds like a commercial for Irish Spring Soap! |
Member: aannk |
Posted on Friday, Mar 5, 2010 - 12:23 pm: The best defense is clothing. Get a fly sheet, leg wraps, neck wrap and mask. No need to reapply, and non toxic.Alicia |
Member: zarr |
Posted on Friday, Mar 5, 2010 - 2:24 pm: Alicia tried that with our MFT she just undressed herself everytime ?? Me thinks she had mustang help but this is a mare who could open a jar of pickles !! |
Member: npo33901 |
Posted on Sunday, Mar 7, 2010 - 4:49 pm: Cindy, what is SsS ?Thanks, AM. |
Member: stek |
Posted on Monday, Mar 8, 2010 - 12:11 pm: Anna Marie SsS is Skin so Soft, an avon product that works well as a bug deterrent. |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Tuesday, Mar 9, 2010 - 6:08 pm: We should note that actual studies have not found a real good result for Skin so Soft as a biting fly repellent. Personally I have found our local deer flies and the large biting horsefly not repelled. We have other recommendations in the article.DrO |
Member: boots |
Posted on Tuesday, Mar 9, 2010 - 8:06 pm: Thank you for answering, DrO. I have read the helpful articles and will do what I can.Panalog is what my vet gave me to put on the wounds. |
Member: zarr |
Posted on Wednesday, Mar 10, 2010 - 5:45 pm: Dr.O as a "field tester" in Alaska my son holds SsS in very high esteem! Swears he would have died from blood loss if not for the stuff! |
Member: cometrdr |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 11, 2010 - 10:33 am: I agree i always rub some on my face and neck before going out for a ride in the summer in the forest. Field tested as good - but not good for Deer or Horse flies - that is true. only masks protect against horse flies.... |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 11, 2010 - 3:01 pm: Cindy I have heard many such anecdotal reports from wildlife managers but I quit using it and switched to DEET when I got tired of perfuming and softening the skin of all the deerflies biting my horses ears.DrO |
Member: juliem |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 11, 2010 - 4:16 pm: My experience with Skin so Soft parallels Dr. O's! |
Member: zarr |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 11, 2010 - 4:42 pm: Nothing stops deer flies!! Run Run !! Perhaps the sucess or failure is due to each individuals chemical makeup ?? works for me but not thee kinda of thing! |
Member: scooter |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 11, 2010 - 5:05 pm: Swat stops deer flies |
Member: mrose |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 11, 2010 - 5:57 pm: Swat does NOT stop the deer flies in our mountains! NOTHING does. I refuse to ride in our mountains during the month of July due to the deer flies. SsS really sets off MY allergies, so I can't use it on the horses.(I have asthma.) I've heard the same from other people that have asthma, so if you're one of them, don't use it.I also love the Paranha (sp?) spray,but can't use it on one of our stallions who is allergic to many sprays. I use the Eqyss Marigold spray on him and it seems to work really good. The Supersect 7 works good, also, but is really pricey. I used to get some stuff through Dover's catalogue that was called Clak, or Clac? It was in an orange bottle. BEST fly spray ever, but I think it's off the market now or the name has been changed. |
Member: scooter |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 11, 2010 - 11:18 pm: Swat seems to work on the ears if i put it on thick.. can't do the whole body in it tho. I finally broke down and got one of those quiet ride masks with ears and long nose from Cashell a few years ago, one of the best horse products I ever bought. I see they make body armor now too... I already get stares going down the road with my mask, wonder what the burbanites would think of the body armour |
Member: scooter |
Posted on Thursday, Mar 11, 2010 - 11:41 pm: Has anyone tried the bug armor?? I do love the mask.https://www.horsetackreview.com/review-display/11495.html |
Member: mrose |
Posted on Friday, Mar 12, 2010 - 12:47 am: I've never seen the Bug Armor sheet before. Looks interesting. My trouble is, that if the flies are so bad that I need for the horse to wear a sheet like that, I'm going to also be eaten alive. We're lucky as in our area the flies really aren't bad unless we go up into the mountains, then around the lakes certain times of the year the deer flies are horrible. NOTHING fazes them, and I've tried everything. If I ride while they are out, the horse and I both come back covered in large bites and hives from the flies. |
Member: pattiann |
Posted on Friday, Mar 12, 2010 - 8:57 pm: Garlic! I tried it last year. I used the Springtime Garlic supplement. I have 4 horses and it worked very well on all of them. Plus, they had very shiny coats! I live in coastal carolina, so we have lots of mosquitos, horse flies, ticks, etc....I literally had no problem at all. When I would trail ride through the Croatan, I would spray them a bit, but I only went through one bottle of fly spray the entire season. It felt good not to have to spray all those chemicals on the horses. Plus, with all the rain we had this fall, I had no mosquito problem, and no flies hanging out on the poop. I was VERY impressed. I did have a strong affinity for italian food more often though....hmmmm... |
Moderator: DrO |
Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - 8:36 am: For those who have not had success with DEET I would suggest your concentration was too low, see the article for more on this. Garlic too has been tested and the article discusses this.DrO |
Member: rtrotter |
Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - 12:30 pm: Patti, you and I are on the same page. Garlic it is for me too and I also use the Springtime Garlic. The trick to this is start 3-4 weeks before the fly season as it takes time to get into the horses tissues.I share the barn with a bunch of slobs whose area is just about never cleaned up (dirty stalls, hay on the floor etc), their horses spend the day stomping and biting at flies and mine, well the flies seem to ignore them because of juicer pickings elsewhere. This is fine with me. I can only control what happens to my horses because telling them to clean up is like telling the wall. I also use those hang down from the ceiling glue fly traps in my feed room. And occasionally, they get wiped down with Pyranha( sp) in the aerosol can when they have to jog or train on a really muggy hot day, I found that to actually work better than the Pyranha(sp) spray, seems to last longer too. I spray on a rub rag after I get done grooming and before I harness them up to work them. Makes the look pretty too. While Dr. O, does not seem to think garlic is effective. I have used it for years and think that it has other good properties other than for fly control. I am going on my third rotation of horses ( over 6 years), that have been given garlic for long periods of time and I have had less serious illnesses, respiratory wise than I have had in the 25 years preceding my use of the product. Maybe not scientific, but useful data for myself. My young horses just do not seem to get as sick and when they do, it does not seem to be as serious. Could be the high concentrations of sulphur in the garlic. Rachelle |
Member: npo33901 |
Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - 2:26 pm: Rachelle, should fresh garlic be not the same ?I am using two cloves with the evening for each horse . I must say they still get bitten . If I put more cloves - they don't like it . I also hang sticky tapes where ever I can - very effective . I have them around trees as well . BUT - I shall try if I can get here Springtime garlic supplement..... |
Member: hpyhaulr |
Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - 3:26 pm: where do I get this springtime Garlic supplement?Is this a horse supplement or human? |
Member: scooter |
Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - 3:56 pm: Do all horses eat Garlic? I tried it on my horses a couple years ago and my PIGS wouldn't touch it even at a low dose.. on FEED. It wasn't the sprintime garlic, it was called Buggzo or something like that from Horsetech, I ended up throwing it away.$$https://www.horsetech.com/buggzo.htm#Quick%20Links%20to%20Product%20Pages |
Member: pattiann |
Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - 4:12 pm: springtimeinc.com is the site for the garlic that I use. My horses had no problem eating the garlic. None of them. Sissy Belle is a finicky eater and doesn't care for additives but again, did not mind the garlic at all.I truly did have good results with this garlic. It's worth a try for sure.... |
Member: boots |
Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - 5:35 pm: Someone mentioned Clac. Sorry, I zapped my e-mails. Try farmvet.com. Put Clac in the search box. |
Member: rtrotter |
Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - 5:44 pm: Diane,Not sure if you remember but last year I had a post on here where my vet had prescribed an antihistamine for one of my horses, at the same time I started a new batch of Springtime garlic. My piggy colt, who ate everything stopped eating cold turkey, even though I stopped the antihistamine after 1 day of no eating. I could not figure it out, until I stopped the garlic. It was then that he started eating again. This colt has been on garlic for three years. What it was was the very strong smell of the new batch that I started right at the same time as the antihistamine. I left him off the garlic for about a week, by that time because it had been exposed to the air, it lost its potent smell and he started eating it again, no problem. You know from your own experience with your hay experiments, how sensitive your horses sense of smell is so its not surprising that Hank would turn his nose up at something that strong. When I first introduce my horse to garlic, I only give them 1/4 of the recommended amount 2 times a day ( so they get it in both meals) and gradually build them up to the full dose once a day. If it really buggy out they will get a full scoop 2 times a day. Rachelle |
Member: scooter |
Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - 6:21 pm: You're right about the smell. I kept the stuff covered in our basement and it still reeked of garlic. Maybe airing it out would help.There was one product I tried LONG ago that had garlic in it, the horses didn't turn their noses up at it. I think it helped. My friend who is allergic to fly spray uses it on her horses and swears by it. As you note in the description it say it( MAY )help in repelling bugs. https://www.kvsupply.com/Shop?actn=quickadvancedsearch&searchtype=all&overridesrc dsp=70001&wildcardType=none&keyword=Bug+Check&gclid=COr1iNjttqACFQsNDQodK3GGTw |
Member: mrose |
Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - 7:15 pm: I mentioned the Clac. I used to get it through Dover, but don't know if it's still made. |
Member: rtrotter |
Posted on Saturday, Mar 13, 2010 - 8:17 pm: Anna-Marie,Fresh Garlic is probably the best, but I can't equate how much fresh garlic you would need to feed to be equal to the scoop that comes with the Springtime garlic. I think the Springtime garlic may be more concentrated, which may be why you aren't getting the same effects. Also, it does not totally eradicate the fly situation and as Dr. O says management is probably the best key but I have seen a difference and one of my horses is very thin skinned and the least little thing is liable to set her off. She's made it through 3 summers basically maintained on garlic and not much else. Rachelle |
Member: npo33901 |
Posted on Sunday, Mar 14, 2010 - 1:41 am: Rachelle , thank you. I am keeping everything clean, as much as possible. My neighbor is a sheep farmer , much comes from him I think .The Springtime garlic is obtainable (lots on Google, Hilton Herbs Rachelle, Thank you for the "tip". I will make an experiment . - First - I shall give them garlic morning and evening feed. AND I shall chop it hours before feeding , hopping it will lose the smell. As you've said, one horse didn't like the smell. I know garlic is slightly burning ( we use a lot of garlic in cooking - special in salads). It might be that too, what puts them off it . I give them carrots or apple too with it . But don't want to give them too much of it because of sugar/carb contain. On Google are many Supplyers but cost of shipping is much higher than the product. Worry - some are manufactured in China . Who know what they put into it . AM. |
Member: ajudson1 |
Posted on Sunday, Mar 14, 2010 - 9:03 am: I didn't get my horses to successfully EAT garlic when I tried it many years ago but when I sprinkled in the their stalls they remained fly free that summer. Dirt floor stalls in an old 3 sided shed.We take garlic in many forms in our family for colds, coughs, and allergies. It can be hard on your stomach taken raw, and if I take it in tea or cough syrup before bed, I am too warm and energized to sleep! I may just try it again with the horses after reading that some of you had success getting them to eat the dry garlic. Gem is showing SLIGHT signs of respiratory trouble like she does every spring; a bit of a heave line showing. And Willow is coughing a bit too, as is the whole family! Damp spring weather, mud/manure that never dries up...ugh. |
Member: rtrotter |
Posted on Sunday, Mar 14, 2010 - 9:41 am: Anna-Marie,You might have better luck with the Wendall's Herbs Garlic since the manufacturer is in England. I have used that successfully as well and switched to Springtime because I can get 15 lbs for a reasonable price. Springtime was having a buy 2 get one free deal and they have some bonus programs available too. But if the cost of freight for you is an issue, Wendall's is fine. If I remember though, there is a thread and an article on overdosing on fresh garlic or scallions somewhere on HA, because this has been a discussion we have had before. Angie, recently, when my colt got gelded I wanted to make sure he was going to eat his meds, so I took him off the garlic and his OCD pellets. He was off of it for about 2 weeks, when I started him back on it, 2 or three days into it he started to have a slight nasal discharge which lasted 2 days. His nose has been clear since then. It was as if the garlic made his body clean itself out. If this colt was going to get sick, this winter, with its weather and the fact that I gelded him thrown in, would have done it. But, he seems to be very resiliant and I can attribute that to the garlic. But, that seems to be my experience over the past several years. Rachelle |
Member: paul303 |
Posted on Monday, Mar 15, 2010 - 1:15 am: I've used the Flysect for a few years now. The one that mentions ticks and chiggers. I find it works well for a few hours- with the concentrate, mix it double strength and it's pretty good.....which is better than nothing. Their legs get mainly Deep Woods Off with Deet. We're in the Pine Barrens of NJ, and have a terrible tick problem. I've seen some terribly infected tick bites on people and horses here....and I've decided that "covered in DEET is better than covered in ticks and chiggers". Skin so Soft has worked OK on me...but I never had much luck with it on the horses.I know that I resisted the fly traps ( the plastic baggy thingys that have a bait and you fill with water )for years. I've used them the last few years with great success. I order them by the case ( from Jeffers, I think )and try to get them hung as soon as the first fly generation appears. I change them as soon as they fill up ( which is quite fast at the beginning of the season). By the second or third change of bags, the fly population is dramatically reduced. They are good value for the money. To sum up....DEET repels everything...and flytrap bags work. Flysect sprays ( especially mixed double strength) work for awhile in a classy no muss, no fuss, way. |