Unbelievable number of flies...

BeepaStar

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Went out on a hack today from my new livery yard and can't believe the number of flies and horse flies swarming round us. My boy was quite upset by them. I'd sprayed him with a deet based fly spray and fortunately he had his crocheted fly veil on, but we had to cut our hack short as he was so upset by them. Can anyone recommend anything (even home made spray) that will deter the flies successfully. Thanks :)
 
They are terrible at the mo,especially this week in the humid weather:( Power phaser fly spray by Leovet. It works...end of. I shan't go on,as have extolled it's virtues on other flyspray threads b4! My boy is sensitive skinned,comes up in big fly bumps &gets upset by them but this spray works:)
 
They are terrible at the mo,especially this week in the humid weather:( Power phaser fly spray by Leovet. It works...end of. I shan't go on,as have extolled it's virtues on other flyspray threads b4! My boy is sensitive skinned,comes up in big fly bumps &gets upset by them but this spray works:)

Just goggled it, sounds good, thanks for the recommendation :) I'm going to pick some up tomorrow from TDS.
 
Funny I was just thinking today that I haven't had to spray the horses or use fly masks this year as there are so few flies :confused:
 
Just don't breathe in when you're spraying it on,it's strong stuff;) I once saw a midge actually die on my horse's neck as I sprayed it on& then it dropped straight off:)
 
I keep my horse in Devon and hack pretty well every day...... other than when we would simply get washed away.... and there have hardly been any flies at all. I think i have put her fly rug on twice and her mask on a couple of times earlier on in the year.
 
Thought it was just me, I hacked out about 5pm and the flies were horrendous - the worst I have seen them this year - didnt even cross my mind to put fly spray on as we hadnt had a problem so far this year - in woods they were landing on poor dex but also all over me. He then tripped and actually went down on knees (luckily on track) and got back up (stayed on) I think he wasnt paying attention to footing due to blummin flies ! although he has tripped in exact same place before so not panicking yet and we do tend to amble along through woods not really focusing.
 
Thought it was just me, I hacked out about 5pm and the flies were horrendous - the worst I have seen them this year - didnt even cross my mind to put fly spray on as we hadnt had a problem so far this year - in woods they were landing on poor dex but also all over me. He then tripped and actually went down on knees (luckily on track) and got back up (stayed on) I think he wasnt paying attention to footing due to blummin flies ! although he has tripped in exact same place before so not panicking yet and we do tend to amble along through woods not really focusing.

Oh bless Dex. My boy was too busy worrying about the flies to realise he was going out somewhere new and exciting ;)
 
Power Phaser is excellent.

It is extremely effective and you can even see the flies leave as you spray it!

It stinks though and manages to get on all my clothes, my hairV my face and my hands! My advice would be not to use whilst on your way to work or any kind of social occasion which requires being in a 2 metre proximity to people as it is a very strong smell!
 
We're the same...flies are worse this year than I've seen for a long time. One of mine is particularly badly affected by them. I use Power Phaser too :)
 
Took my lad out tonight with my OH walking the dog and the kids in tow. Horse practically speed walked back to the yard and we managed 10 mins in the forest. My daughter came running out of the forest gate laughing at all the flies chasing her. Worst I have ever seen them and the buzzing noise they make......eurgh.
 
Unfortunately it give me migranes - even hacking out with a friends horse sprayed in it started off a migrane for me - very strong stuff. My pony's nostrils wrinkled up as well when he was exposed to it via the other horse.

Just don't breathe in when you're spraying it on,it's strong stuff;) I once saw a midge actually die on my horse's neck as I sprayed it on& then it dropped straight off:)
 
i've just tried some new stuff in an attempt to get rid of some crab flies, everyone said i would have to squish them but then some kind lady told me about Tri tec 14. i thought i'd give it a go and it works, sprayed pony yesterday afternoon, yesterday evening all flies gone, not a single one left, and it even smells nice! going to try it on the TB before i ride later as he seems to be fave on the menu for horse flies:rolleyes:
 
I have squeaked about this product in so many other threads that people are probably going to think I sell the stuff (I don't!) but this is what I use;
http://www.naturesbotanical.biz/products.html

It comes in a cream (which I apply with a body brush) and in a spray.
As it is all natural it doesn't give me headaches like some of the others do, and when the flies get really bad I put it on myself as it doesn't make me smell like I have just been through a chemical shower.

It is pricey, but in my opinion very much worth it.
 
Unfortunately it give me migranes - even hacking out with a friends horse sprayed in it started off a migrane for me - very strong stuff. My pony's nostrils wrinkled up as well when he was exposed to it via the other horse.

This worries me...

Does anyone know what the "active ingredients" are in Power Phaser?

It sounds like good effective stuff but if it gives someone migranes as they've not even used it one their own horse I'd like to know what's in it before using it myself!

I tried to google the ingredients but it just kept coming up with "active ingredients" not listing the actual ingredients.

I think I'll stick to Avon Skin so Soft and citronella for now...
 
Well I must be on a different planet! Still no flies in general here in Devon, even without rain this morning. I do give brief spray of NAF Citronella, mostly 'cos I like the smell!

I am wondering if it is altitude, I did notice as I was riding down hill towards the woods that we had a few flies around us, and also on returning along the flat of the road before climbing back up again. I see there is one other poster who has not been bothered, are you fairly high above sea level too? We are surrounded by farmland, sheep, cows, crops etc so not an urban area. I think i will just count myself lucky as they are horrid when bad.
 
Today was our first day, all the horses went buys and had to be brought in and washed down :(

This worries me...

Does anyone know what the "active ingredients" are in Power Phaser?

It sounds like good effective stuff but if it gives someone migranes as they've not even used it one their own horse I'd like to know what's in it before using it myself!

I tried to google the ingredients but it just kept coming up with "active ingredients" not listing the actual ingredients.

I think I'll stick to Avon Skin so Soft and citronella for now...

Hi Kezz86, directions for use and active ingredients:

Directions:
Evenly spray on at close range. Very gentle on skin. Avoid contact with eyes and all mucus membranes. Do not inhale.
Wash any contamination with eyes immediately.
Keep away from sources of ignition.
Do no smoke.
Keep away from food.
Wear suitable gloves.
Wear eye/face protection.
Do not breathe spray.

Contains:
N,N-Diethyl-m-toluamide 5, 51g /100g
Ethyl Butylacetylaminopropionate 4, 9g/100g

This product is approved under the Control of Pesticides Regulation 1989

Any chemists out there that know what the ingredients are?! :)
 
Well I'm down in Cornwall and been really surprised at how few flies we have. My two live out and the field they are in is next to woods and usually the horse flies are evil - but only seen a handful so far this year. Fly rugs been on (inbetween the rain of course!) but only for purposes of keeping clean - not enough flies to worry about.

Its bizarre!
 
Dreadful Horseflies for us this year, My poor boy gets covered in great big lumps. I have been using Avon Skin so soft and a little roll on one but cant remember its name :o Also washing him over with tea tree oil in the water really seems to help
 
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