Think spring, think flies....

[Sorrel]

What great ideas!! I love the thought of non-chemical harsh products. I don't like them on myself so why would I want to put it on my horse or any of my animals?

[Jack9661]

^O^ Xanthan Gum

I also use Fly predators and they work. I also hang the fly traps, yet they get to stinking so bad can hardly stand it. The vinegar in the water is also to help with mosquitos. I spray the barn areas with diluted concentrate from Horse.com. I have never tried the feed kind and do not feel comfortable with it. Never thought of the other ideas and will have to try some of them. Thanks all for the info, even though I wasn't asking for it.

Hey Garrett-I bet the horses hair is just on a drunken spree with your mixture. Will have to try it.

[EquinePhotographer]

When we lived at our old place we didn't know about Fly Predators and we used empty milk jugs with a little water and meat in it to attract and kill flies. That REALLY worked, but it REALLY stank!!! LOL When they filled up, we would put the cap back on sealing the flies in it, wait til it dried up and then burned it with our garbage. I much prefer the Pradators - no stink! LOL Going on our 3rd year using them.

Me too, EP. I did skip one year and then realized those little tiny buggers really did do the job. I get my from Arbico Organics, great place.

[EquinePhotographer]

I tried them once, but didn't seem to get the same amount as Spalding Labs, plus I didn't care how they packaged them in a brown paper bag stapled shut and mailed them to me. Spalding is a bit more expensive, but I've never had issues with them. When I used Arbico I still seemed to have fly issues.

Thanks for the info, will try them next time. Arbico has changed their packaging this year so you do not end up with those little buggers all over. I'll have to compare the numbers and cost. Again, thank you.

[EquinePhotographer]

No problem. When I get 20,000 predators from Spalding, the package is pretty good sized. When I switched and went to Arbico for the same amount it seemed like a lot less flies and as I said before it didn't keep my flies away.

[thunderhoofhorses]

I use
Fly predators they sure help are worth the money

We always use Skin SO SOft but the darn no see ums still get the chest and ears so will try the SSS and ACV this year and see if that helps plus fly mask with ears and fly sheets.

Plus did you know that if you take a banana and open it and put far out in the trees the flys will go there.

I also use plastic milk jugs with holes filled part way with water and put in meat or fly bait and place in the shade fills up with flys throw away. works for bees also with meat in it no water once in milk jug they can not figure out how to get out.

[EquinePhotographer]

Thunder - feed your horses some garlic powder if you grain them. That will keep the flies off of them. We have gnats here in WI that get the horses chests and ears bad if I don't feed garlic. You can also use some ACV in their drinking water and in their rinse water if you bathe them. Those really help. Been doing that for years!

I haven't heard of the banana thing. Interesting. That is what the fly bait smells like; the concentrate that you buy to put into the jugs. Makes sense.