Winning the War on Flies: Integrated Pest Management for Horse Owners

Spring may bring warmer weather and greener pastures, but it also marks the return of a major nuisance: flies. More than just an annoyance, flies can transmit diseases, stress your horses, and even cause physical damage from excessive stomping. Fortunately, there’s a smarter way to tackle this seasonal problem—Integrated Pest Management (IPM).

Integrated Pest Management is a comprehensive strategy that combines various control techniques—such as sanitation, physical barriers, biological control, and the use of chemicals—to decrease fly populations while minimizing negative impacts on animals, humans, and the environment.

Integrated Pest Management

The Foundation: Cleanliness

Start with excellent manure and bedding management. Clean stalls daily, remove manure piles regularly, and add drying agents to reduce moisture where flies breed. Composting or covering manure piles effectively deters breeding grounds.

Physical and Mechanical Defenses

Use fly sheets, masks, boots, and barn fans to physically shield horses from flies. Install window screens and avoid letting manure sit exposed in wheelbarrows.

Fly masks for horsed

Biological Boosts

Introduce parasitic wasps that target fly pupae or attract dragonflies and birds that naturally prey on flies. These eco-friendly solutions reduce fly populations without chemicals.

Smart Use of Chemicals

Use insecticides and repellents only when needed—and as a last line of defense. Feed-through larvicides and bait traps can help, but they’re most effective when used as part of a coordinated barn-wide effort.

Make a Plan and Monitor

Track fly populations using traps or sticky cards. Observe your horses’ behavior for signs of irritation. Set action thresholds and keep good records—what works, what doesn’t, and when to intervene.

The Takeaway

You're likely already using many of these fly-fighting methods. IPM simply organizes them into a system that works better—saving money, reducing pesticide use, and improving your horse’s well-being.

View the full article from Equus Spring 2025 magazine written by Laurel Scott here: