Strategic Battle Plan – Initiated
When preparing your barn for the impending fly invasion, early planning can make ALL the difference. Believe it or not, fly season is right around the corner! That makes NOW the ideal time to map out your combat strategy. During the winter months, it’s such a relief when flies are a non-issue—so much so that fly control easily slips to the back of our minds. In the early part of the year, the focus is on keeping water buckets and tanks from freezing, ensuring our horses stay warm enough, and constantly evaluating whether or not their blankets will survive group turnout for the rest of the season.
If this sounds familiar, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Most horse owners thoroughly enjoy the few months of the year when flies aren't a constant nuisance. But did you know that with a little early planning, you can drastically reduce the number of flies around your stable all season long?
Get Ahead of the Fly Invasion
Now is the time to make a big difference by adding SIMPLIFLY® feed-thru fly control to your horse’s daily diet. This top-dress supplement is highly palatable and the ONLY equine feed-thru fly control product awarded "Reduced Risk Pesticide" status by the EPA. SIMPLIFLY contains an insect growth regulator (IGR), which prevents house fly and stable fly larvae from developing into adults in the manure of treated horses—drastically reducing the number of flies buzzing around you and your horse.
Timing is Everything
For the best results throughout the entire fly season, it’s crucial to start early to get this growth regulator into the manure before the first flies emerge—and continue through fall, until colder weather naturally reduces fly activity. In the Mid-Atlantic region, this means starting the program by March 1st. To get the biggest bang for your buck, make sure ALL the horses in your barn participate—otherwise, untreated horses will continue to contribute to the fly population.
Additional Strategies
Unleashing the benefits of feeding Simplifly to all the horses in your barn is a game changer when it comes to waging war on our fly opponents. In addition, there are many other solid strategies that work together with the feed-thru fly control option to enhance your results and maintain a more comfortable, fly-reduced, barn.
Keep things tidy
Frequently pick the manure out of stalls, paddocks, aisle-ways, wash stalls, run-in sheds, near water troughs or areas where the horses tend to congregate; anywhere in and around your barn. Keep feed rooms swept and open feed sealed in pest free containers. Do not leave uneaten feed out for long periods of time, as it becomes a fly attractant.
Implement Fly Strips and/or Fly Traps
Fly strips and traps can serve as a second wave of reinforcement to take down adult flies. Be sure to follow product instructions to maximize your results.
Deploy Fly Predators
Fly predators are a handy, secret-ambush, tactic that, when handled properly, can aid in the decimation of existing fly populations. This is an all-natural, holistic option that provides excellent results and is safe for the environment. Be sure to follow product instructions to maximize your results.
Increase Air Circulation
The enemy prefers stagnant air. Adding increased air circulation scatters the flies and forces them to look elsewhere for safe hideouts. Install barn-safe fans in your feed rooms, stalls, aisle-ways and overhead in sheltered areas like run-in sheds. This practice can have double the benefits; keeping flies at bay and offering your horses a little breeze when the climate is hot.
Apply the War-Paint!
Ok, maybe not ACTUAL war-paint…but to flies, products like fly spray, perimeter spray, fly repellent wound ointment/cream can help deter them from landing on and biting your beloved, four-legged comrades.
Are You Ready?
Don’t wait for the invasion to begin—take control now! Formulate the best tactical strategies for your barn; then pick up supplies and a bucket of SIMPLIFLY from The Mill and stand your ground. Your horses and sanity will thank you all season long!
