Fighting the flies

 

Be they horse flies, black flies, stable flies, midges or mosquitoes, flying insects create a nuisance for most horses during the summer months. Not only do they cause irritation when feeding off secretions from nose and eyes and by biting the skin, certain flies can even be responsible for the spread of diseases, whilst midges are the protagonists behind the highly distressing condition sweet itch.

 

For these reasons, fly repellent is a must-have during the summer. If the problem is severe, high strength products will deter even the most persistent of flying nuisances, and you can also buy fly repellent designed for riders, treatments (such as insecticidal paint additives) for stables and buildings and sprays for fabrics to ensure more complete protection from these flying pests. Using roll-ons or handy wipes are great for those hard to reach areas meanwhile and also handy to carry in your pocket out on a hack or at a show. 

 

Some horse owners continue to make their own fly sprays at home; however, this is not ideal. It takes years of research, trials and investment to ensure that commercially produced fly sprays really work. Despite best intentions, home made recipes can cause harm – for instance, the quality of common ingredients such as lemon eucalyptus, citronella and neem can vary massively.

 

Many off-the-shelf oils can be contaminated, vary in strength, are not cleaned or processed for safe use and inconsistent in quality. This can limit effectiveness and can cause irritation to the horse, sometimes immediately or sometimes over a period of time of repeated use. Having the balance wrong in a formula can cause discomfort and, in addition, water does not mix with oil, so, the contents of each spray will again differ causing the same problems.

 

On the label

 

All commercially available fly repellents must be approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prior to being sold or advertised. There are also a number of statutory requirements and instructions that should be on each bottle by law, including stating the active ingredient – which is essentially the substance within the product that makes it work.

 

One formally common active ingredient now banned in commercial fly repellents is citronella, although a certain amount is still permissible providing it is not claimed to be an active ingredient. Citronella oil is an effective natural fly repellent, but can irritate horses with sensitive skin, for whom a citronella-free product is advisable instead.

 

Other natural ingredients found in fly repellents include vinegar, lavender, geranium, eucalyptus, rosemary, cedarwood, tea tree and garlic oil - all off which tend to have a strong smell, which confuses insects and renders them unable to find their ‘prey’.

 

Alternatively, man-made ingredients include Diethylmetatoluamide (DEET), which is highly effective and has been in use as a fly repellent for over 40 years. According to the National Sweet Itch Centre, research has shown that the higher the concentration of DEET in a repellent the more effective and long-lasting it is likely to be. However, like citronella, DEET can cause skin irritation in some cases and if used in larger quantities should be washed off the skin after prolonged use.

 

In some cases, for example if sweet itch is a problem, an insecticide may prove necessary. These include benzyl benozate, which was originally used to treat mites in humans. Benzyl benozate is very effective but is a skin irritant, so should not be used on bare or broken skin, and ideally should be applied in the spring, before sweet itch has a chance to develop. Permethrin meanwhile is longer lasting than benzyl benozate and is also highly effective, as is pyrethrin, which is extracted from some species of chrysanthemum flower.

 

It is important to remind customers that gloves should always be worn when applying insecticides, and if trying any fly repellent or insecticide on the horse for the first time, a patch test should be carried out first to check for any allergic reaction.

 

Protective clothing

 

Specially designed fly masks, fringes and rugs can also be used to beat the bugs. Fly masks and fringes today offer a high level of protection to the horse’s head whilst remaining cool and without overly reducing vision, and some can also guard against sunburn. A careful and proper fit is required so that the flies cannot get inside the mask and cause even more of a nuisance!

 

Likewise, fly rugs are ideal for horses that particularly suffer with flies and midges, such as those with sweet itch. Many provide protective coverage all over, and again can also protect vulnerable horses from sunburn. The technology behind these rugs is becoming more and more advanced, with technical fabrics allowing the skin to keep cool and breathe. Some also offer natural therapeutic benefits, and can help to repel bacterial and fungal infections and promote circulation and healing.

 

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