Spring is in full swing in most parts of the country, so now’s the time to
take aim at flies—before they become a problem. But where to start? Tack and
feed store aisles are literally littered with products. However, your first step
isn’t a purchase. It’s an assessment.
Where do flies congregate? In manure, first; near standing water or other
sources of moisture, like wet stalls and dripping faucets; and around sources of
food.
Controlling flies means making sure that your manure is properly disposed of.
And that doesn’t mean just moving the pile two feet from the back door. Flies
can travel great distances, so the best option is to remove it from the property
altogether. You can rake it out to dry it, or compost it properly using a
compost pile, water and worms purchased at a garden store to break it down.
Repair your leaks and drips early in the spring and empty and dry any troughs
you’re not actively using. Place your feed stuffs in sealed bins and pick up dog
and cat waste as soon as you can and dispose of it (but not in your compost—only
vegetable material can go in that bin).
Now that you’ve done your best to secure your property against flies,
consider how you’ll protect your horses. There are many options—from
feed-through fly control, traps and fly sprays to more natural options, like
inviting in fly parasites and bats. Often you’ll need a combination of several
different methods to get the best possible result.
Stumble It!
