Flies & Pest Control

Mostof us look forward to summer – long hacks down leafy lanes and horses relaxing in grassy fields and warm sunshine, but no sooner does the weather improve than out come the bugs! It can often seem that the insect population is out to make your horse’s life a misery, from stable flies biting his ankles to horseflies driving him into a frenzy in the field!

Summer showers followed by warm sunshine provide the ideal conditions for flies to proliferate, so our changeable weather is an ideal breeding ground for the fly population! To beat this, you need a proper bug defense program.

Advances in technology and an understanding of insect control indicate that a combination of management and chemical control now provides the most sophisticated and cost-effective means of protection.

Understanding the enemy is key to winning the battle and reducing the attractions that lure them to the area is a good starting point. Most flies prefer to lay their eggs in moist, decaying organic matter, where the larva develops into a pupa, from which the adult emerges. The abundance of fly and insect populations is affected by temperature, moisture levels and humidity and stables, yards, and barns provide the ideal breeding environment. The key to controlling numbers of flies and insects is to break the breeding cycle.

Preventing moisture in potential fly breeding areas is a critical factor in fly control and implementing some key yard management tactics can have a profound effect. So, take a walk around your stable area looking for places that insects will find enticing, and clean them up.

• Remove manure regularly and keep the area around the muck heap clean and dry and ensure that the heap is as far away from the stables as possible.

• Clean up around taps and hosepipes and ensure that watering systems are well maintained to prevent leaks.

• A concrete apron with a gradient around stables and barns will help keep the area clean and dry the best insect control products have been developed there by the Absorbine® Fly and Insect Control Research Centre, including the UltraShield range.

• Remove accumulated bedding in hard-to-clean areas such as under feeders and automatic water bowls, in corners, and around fences and rails.

• Ensure good ventilation and airflow to prevent moisture build-up and allow bedding and floors to dry.

A high-quality, long-lasting fly spray is a must in any horse care kit and the UltraShield Insecticide and Repellent fits the bill. It kills biting and nuisance insects on surfaces and contains active ingredients Permethrin and Pyrethrin, providing instant “knock-down” when insects encounter it, as well as a longlasting protective “shield”. It is ideal for use in and around paddocks, stables, field shelters, and for use in horse boxes.

A fly mask is a must to prevent flies from congregating around your horse’s face, especially their eyes. The UltraShield Fly Mask range is designed to keep horses cool, dry, and comfortable using high-tech fabrics, structured eye darts, and a mesh that blocks 80% of UV rays. They stay put with a two-way controlled stretch fabric, extended fabric around the ears, and a strong double-locking hook and loop closure featuring wider strap, plus rolled inner seams preventing rubs and irritation.

To complement the UltraShield Fly control products, UltraShield Green is the perfect conditioning spray for soothing horses in the warmer summer months. It is an all-natural, non-chemical body spray with a mix of seven aromatic oils, including thyme, cedarwood, lemongrass and citronella, and has a fresh herbal aroma.

The reality is that flies and pests go hand in hand with keeping horses. Not only do they bite and sting, but they also spread disease and can cause bacterial and fungal infections, so it is vital to keep your horse as bug-free as possible. Although it is almost impossible to eradicate all of them, with a two-pronged approach of good housekeeping and high-quality fly control products you can ensure that you not only protect your horse but make its life a lot more comfortable.

A common misconception is that flies are at their worst in the summer during the day. This is not always the case and can vary depending on where you are in the UK. If you are turning your horse out overnight you may still need a fly mask, fly rug and spray, especially if the grazing is nearby water or woody vegetation.

With the variety of climatic conditions throughout the USA this problem is multiplied, so it is not surprising that some of

The full range of Absorbine® products are available from equestrian retailers and Absorbine® stockists. For more product information: www.absorbine.co.uk www.eazigrazer.co.uk

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