7 Fly Management Myths – Horse Illustrated

Protecting bugs away out of your horse and out of your barn can appear an train in futility at instances. Whereas there are a great deal of fly-control merchandise available on the market, everybody appears to have a concept about what else might be completed to preserve bugs at bay.
Right here’s the down-and-dirty fact about what doesn’t (and does!) preserve bugs from bothering your equine mates.

Idea: Inserting a penny in water in a resealable baggie and hanging it from a doorway will preserve flies from getting into your barn.

Conclusion: False. Whereas the thought course of behind this concept is intriguing, the tactic sadly doesn’t work. It’s purported that the copper penny within the water creates a prismatic impact on a fly’s eyesight, and the dizzying spectacle retains them from approaching your horse’s dwelling.

Idea: Lengthy, chilly winters will kill off over-wintering fly populations.

Conclusion: False. Entomologists report that over-wintering fly populations can survive deep within the soil; heavy snow cowl can really shield these flying bugs from excessive chilly. Moreover, a chilly winter adopted by a heat and sunny March may really speed up some fly cycles—what an unfair situation!

Idea: Electrical bug zappers cease flies of their tracks.

Conclusion: False. Whereas the noise bug zappers make after they fry bugs can appear satisfying, they actually do extra hurt than good by killing 1000’s of helpful bugs that don’t trouble individuals or horses, leaving the vast majority of flies alive to pester us.

Idea: Ultrasonic units will preserve flies and different rodents away out of your barn.

Conclusion: False. Ultrasonic pest repellers emit high-frequency sounds (above the vary of human listening to) designed to repel or kill bugs and rodents. Sadly, laboratory exams have proven that almost all of those units don’t work.

Idea: Vanilla-scented air fresheners repel flies and depart your barn smelling candy.

Conclusion: False. Vanilla-scented automobile air fresheners might not very useful as fly repellent within the barn, however pure vanilla has been reported to repel mosquitoes (however the candy scent might entice bees!).

Idea: Bacon grease will assist repel flies.

Conclusion: True. Due to its viscosity, bacon grease utilized to the horse the place flies are inclined to chunk will lead to fast aid. Moreover, ought to the horse have open sores the place flies have bitten him, the grease is not going to irritate the open wound. Petroleum jelly, additionally sticky, can work as nicely.

Idea: Dryer sheets can assist repel flies when driving.

Conclusion: Doable. Although extra prone to repel mosquitoes and gnats, dryer sheets include two chemical compounds, linalool and beta-citronellol, which will repel flying bugs. It couldn’t harm to tuck one into your pocket or underneath your saddle to see for your self!