Flies

[visa_bot]

Hello

I moved from Hampshire to North Cambridgeshire in the Fens in April with my horses, and I have been struck by how few flies there are. I saw 2 horseflies in May, but none since, and despite some warm days, there are none of the annoying black flies that don’t bite but normally buzz around.

I just wondered if it’s not been a good year for flies, or if generally the landscape or climate here is less favourable to them. Hoping for the latter, that would be a bonus.

Are people generally seeing fewer flies this year?

Thanks in advance.

 

[canteron]

It’s just been very dry!

 

[Highmileagecob]

Flies cannot land if the wind speed is 5mph or above. Are you in a windy spot? Our herd heads for the top of the hill when the fly season is in full swing!

 

[visa_bot]

Flies cannot land if the wind speed is 5mph or above. Are you in a windy spot? Our herd heads for the top of the hill when the fly season is in full swing!

Thank you, yes, it is very flat so there is nearly always a moderate breeze. The horses are definitely happier here.

 

[visa_bot]

It’s just been very dry!

it was a very dry April, next to no rain, but we had quite a bit of rain in May. We had similar weather in Hampshire, but on days of 20 degrees plus the flies always came. I will hopefully catch up with Hampshire friends soon and can ask them, but the regional difference has taken me a bit by surprise.

 

[scats]

The horseflies don’t appear here until around now. They appeared here this week.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Only saw my 1st horsefly on Sunday at local show, NW Surrey, they are never usually out till early June here.
Yesterday's breeze kept any at bay here too tho today is still so no doubt the fuzzies will be in the shelters much of the day.

 

[Birker2020]

We don't seem to have many in the West Midlands/Warwickshire area either until last night when they were plaguing Lari when I was lunging him. Unfortunately he came in yesterday morning with a ruined PE fly rug, the staff sent me a message with a photo.

I have a spare PE fly rug, identical but fear its a bit too hot for him so going to try and buy one off a friend who is selling some.

 

[Sealine]

Here in Herts the horse flies made their first appearance at the weekend.

 

[Lady Jane]

Bedfordshire, flies are late, first horsefly Monday, usually they appear late May, very early June

 

[TPO]

Plenty of black flies, midges and clegs in Scotland ?

 

[dorsetladette]

Plenty of flies here. Saw my first horsefly at the weekend. When we lived in the peak district I don't remember the flies been as bad as down here.

 

[Squeak]

Yup, I've also seen my first horseflies this week. Hopefully they really are better where you are OP rather than they're on their way to you!

 

[Squeak]

We don't seem to have many in the West Midlands/Warwickshire area either until last night when they were plaguing Lari when I was lunging him. Unfortunately he came in yesterday morning with a ruined PE fly rug, the staff sent me a message with a photo.

I have a spare PE fly rug, identical but fear its a bit too hot for him so going to try and buy one off a friend who is selling some.

I happened to see a post on a fb group today where someone mentioned they'd had a problem with flies managing to get under the PE fly rug despite it fitting ok and a surprising number of people said they'd had the same problem and only with PE ones. It might not be what happened with Lari but thought it was worth mentioning just in case.

 

[visa_bot]

Yes, I think we are genuinely better off here in the Fens, 26 degrees today, not much of a breeze and no horse flies!

 

[SEL]

I've got all your flies ?????

 

[poiuytrewq]

I happened to see a post on a fb group today where someone mentioned they'd had a problem with flies managing to get under the PE fly rug despite it fitting ok and a surprising number of people said they'd had the same problem and only with PE ones. It might not be what happened with Lari but thought it was worth mentioning just in case.

I saw that! It wasn’t just the one fly either was it! ?
I’ve always used PE rugs and never had a problem with them in that way.

 

[Errin Paddywack]

Saw and killed my first horse fly here this year, Midlands.

 

[Birker2020]

Saw and killed my first horse fly here this year, Midlands.

They were terrible last night EP! Massive things size of a 50p by us.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Not that bad in Hertfordshire still not using masks I just wipe Barrier H gel around the eye face ears, tummy and sheath and not used fly rugs either, only seen about 3 or 4 horse flies in the past week normally by now they are wanting the rugs on or they are driven mad.

 

[Irish-Only]

Has anyone used the Snuggy Hoods Bug Rug with success in keeping the flies from getting under the rug? Atm I have PE fly rugs but they clearly do not protect the underside of the horse from horse flies, or as mentioned, them getting under the rug and biting anyway.