Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 4: Using horsefly traps
• Method 2 of 4: Get rid of horseflies with chemicals
• Method 3 of 4: Unverified home remedies
• Method 4 of 4: Prevent Horseflies and Make Life Easier for Animals
• Tips
• Warnings
• What do you need

Horseflies are a source of inconvenience and danger to horses and livestock. Horsefly females sit on livestock and bite them very painfully in order to suck blood. Sadly, horseflies are very difficult to control, but there are several options, including traps, chemicals, and home remedies.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Using horsefly traps

1. 1 Buy a trap. The non-toxic trap works best in the presence of large numbers of livestock, people and plants that are important to you. Here are some options for traps that are effective against horseflies:
   • Light traps. The light in these traps attracts unwanted insects. When an insect sits on a lamp, it either sticks or dies immediately from an electrical discharge.
   • Flycatcher paper. A special glue is applied to such paper, which holds both common flies and horseflies.
   • Fly trap. In such a trap, there is food to lure flies. Flies enter the bag through a special opening. And as soon as they are inside, they will no longer be able to get out.
   • Trap for large insects. This huge trap is specially designed for large insects such as horseflies. When the horsefly approaches the target and sees that it is not prey, then it is captured by the metal compartment of the trap and dies from the heat in the sun.
2. 2 Make the trap yourself.
   • Hang a chair or stool on the ceiling in that shed or in an area with a lot of horseflies.
   • Attach a medium-sized dark ball to the string. Tie a rope to a chair so that the ball dangles at the bottom.
   • Tie duct tape to the bottom of your chair or stool. Spin the ball every few hours. Due to the fact that horseflies can be attracted by dark color and movement, they will fly towards the ball.
   • When they fly up and see that it is not interesting for them, they will fly up and fall on the sticky tape.

Method 2 of 4: Get rid of horseflies with chemicals

1. 1 Choose a chemical. Certain chemicals have the same effect. To prevent insects from becoming addictive, it is wise to change the chemicals you use. Possible options:
   • Pyrethroids (cypermethrin, fenvalerate, permethrin, resmethrin, tetramethrin, S-bioallertrin, sumitrin);
   • Organophosphates (coumaphos, dichlorvos, malathion, tetrachlorvinphos);
   • Organochlorine chemicals (lindane, methoxychlor).
2. 2 Take proper care of your livestock. Always make sure that the chemicals you use are safe for your animals. Then:
   • Use a small fan or hand sprayer to spread the chemical to the animals.
   • If your animals are intimidated by the sprayer, you can soak the sponge in the chemical and sponge the animals.
   • Always wear rubber gloves... Never allow the chemical to come into contact with your skin.
3. 3 Apply insect repellent to your area as well. Sprinkle the rest of the barn - eaves, walls, ceiling and rafters.
   • Always take animals out of the barn before handling it. Sometimes the animals will need to spend some time outside. Just follow the directions on the package.
   • Treat the remaining areas well with this product. Make sure spraying is under low pressure.
   • Be careful not to poison the water and eating areas of the animals. Also keep the spray away from your equipment.
4. 4 Treat most of the area. It is very effective to process a large area at once, it will not take much time and effort. However, this treatment will not have a very long-term effect.
   • Use an airplane, hydraulic sprayer, or blower to dispense chemicals.
   • Droplets of chemicals will penetrate into the habitat of horseflies, killing insects.

Method 3 of 4: Unverified home remedies

1. 1 Mix a cup of liquid soap with 4.5 liters of water. Sprinkle horseflies with this mixture. They will suffocate from soap, but this liquid will not harm plants and animals in any way.
2. 2 Mix peppermint mouthwash, lemon soap, and lemon ammonia. Spray this solution in your yard and surrounding areas.

Method 4 of 4: Prevent Horseflies and Make Life Easier for Animals

1. 1 Keep areas for animals clean. Remove manure, old flooring and clean drinking channels. If necessary, you can treat the piles of manure with an insect repellent solution to prevent the spread of the larvae.
2. 2 Avoid standing water near your livestock. Build good drainage systems and get rid of buckets of water. Cover your pool or pond during the active horsefly season.
3. 3 Cut weeds and tall grass. Horseflies can find the moisture and coolness they need for reproduction in tall grass and weeds. Sometimes, during a hot day, insects also fly to shady places. To avoid this, you need to constantly mow the grass, especially along the edges of the ditches.
4. 4 Provide shady shelter for your livestock and animals. A barn, shed or booth will help your animals hide from horseflies when they torture them outside. Make sure all windows and doors are tight to prevent horseflies from flying in.
5. 5 Put on ear nets, face masks and insect repellent ribbons on your animals.
6. 6 Neuter your animals annually during the winter season. The population of insects at this time is the lowest, from which gadflies will not torment the wounds of your animals.

Tips

• Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, and a cap when working in areas where horseflies fly. You can make a sticky trap on your cap to catch horseflies circling around your head.
• Carry a fly swatter with you.
• Experts disagree widely about the chemicals that effectively fight horseflies. Insect control products applied to animals may not be effective because insects do not spend enough time in contact with chemicals to have the effect you want. Some sprays containing DEET are effective, but DEET dissolves plastic and is unpleasant to work with.

Warnings

• If the flies start swarming, then stand still. Swinging your arms and running will only attract even more flies.
• Gadflies usually do not bite people. However, if you are bitten by a horsefly, then wash the wound with soap and water. Press a piece of gauze soaked in ethyl alcohol to the wound. Watch out for swelling - it will worsen due to an allergic reaction.

What do you need

• Light trap
• Flycatcher paper
• Fly trap
• Large insect trap
• Dark stool or stool
• Rope
• Ball
• Chemicals
• Small fan or hand sprayer
• Airplane, hydraulic sprayer or blower.
• Barn or barn
• Ear nets
• Face masks
• Insect repellent tapes