For proper fly control and to reduce the fly population in a horse barn and barnyard, you need the right tools in your arsenal. There are many methods to win your war against flies, and your horses will appreciate your efforts!

To prepare for battle, here are some key fly control weapons designed to target flies at various life stages:

• Traps catch adult flies. Two basic types exist, each attracting a different kind of fly. Stable flies are attracted visually; house flies by odor. Hang traps outside, away from your barn, near fly breeding locations. Avoid hanging traps inside as it invites flies in. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for height and placement.
  Note: Sticky traps and tapes without lures catch flies when they land to rest. These can be used inside, but may inadvertently catch small birds, bats, and beneficial insects such as dragonflies.
• Misters and space sprays, such as the Country Vet Dispenser, provide quick knockdown of flies and other insects within your barn. This battery-operated dispenser is easy to install and releases insecticide according to a built-in timer.

Tips:

• Any insecticide that kills stable and house flies may also kill your fly predators.
• Rotate different products throughout your fly season. A trap or spray effective in spring may not work as well in late summer.
• See How to Protect Your Horse from Flies for additional suggestions to keep your horse comfortable.

Actions to Take to Reduce Fly Populations

In addition to products, you can take steps to make your property less hospitable to flies:

• Remove decaying organic matter (rotting leaves, grass clippings, garden produce) where flies lay eggs.
• Maximize heat in your manure pile by keeping it vertical rather than spread horizontally. Turn piles to introduce oxygen and add lime to speed decomposition. Covering piles with black plastic further increases heat.
• Spread manure thinly (< 1/2 inch) to dry quickly before flies can breed.
• Keep grass and weeds around barn and pastures cut short. Flies rest in long grass to escape direct sunlight.
• Solve drainage issues to remove moisture around water sources. Ensure hoses and pumps don’t drip, which attracts flies.
• Clean feed tubs, mangers, and areas where horses eat to avoid decaying food waste that attracts flies.
• Use ceiling or portable fans in your barn to keep air moving. Circulating air hinders flies’ ability to land on horses.
• Keep stalls free of manure and urine. Products such as Odor-No-More and Stable Fresh help maintain odor-free stalls.
• Encourage natural predators — birds and bats — by hanging houses to attract them to your property.