Bot eggs...any preventatives?

[Katie :)]

Hi, this year I've had my first big bot egg issue, my horse is coming in with his legs covered in them. I use fly spray over him everyday but that doesn't make a difference, I have access to a bot knife to get rid of them. But I'm wondering if there are any methods/minerals/sprays I can use to prevent it ?
Thanks

 

[HaffiesRock]

I put talc on my ponies legs and this seems to work well. You need to reapply daily, but it is much quicker than picking the blooming eggs off.

 

[Katie :)]

Fab, thank you...i'll try that tomorrow

 

[Mrs B]

Unless your horse has white legs (in which case beware of frying them!) wipe a bit of baby oil over them. It may not stop the eggs sticking, but it'll be easier to wipe them off.

 

[Katie :)]

good idea- will try that one out too, thanks - he's chestnut so should be fine!

 

[mightymammoth]

I swear with neem oil, works well. This is my first year of having problems with the horrible things as well.

 

[Fides]

Coopers spot on for cattle and sheep stops it. And mites, flies etc

 

[serenityjane]

Diluted (10%- so 10 ml/100ml water) Dettol works on ours- apply with a sponge daily- I know it works because I forgot to do it yesterday and the bots returned!

 

[Katie :)]

Brilliant, thanks for all the tips

 

[Tnavas]

Wipe the egg covered areas with Kerosene which will kill all the eggs which means that you can leave removing them for a few days.

The only thing that will reduce bots is to use Ivomec wormer a couple of times a year so that the number of adults is constantly reduced. At one time we used to have a real problem with them but over the years of people using Ivomec regularly the numbers have dropped dramatically - didn't have any this past summer.

Its amazing the damage they do - I saw photos of areas around teeth where the larvae had burrowed into the gums before migrating into the stomach.