Family Owned Pest Control in Washington & Utah
License # 101704
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- License # 101704
Horse flies thrive in moist areas rife with suitable hosts, and you can even find hoards of these insects creeping around grassy spots in your yard. If you have any large animals like cows or horses on your property, there’s a good chance you’ll spot these pests flitting around their eyes.
And if you’ve got horse flies around your pool or buzzing near your porch, you know how fast they can make an afternoon unbearable. Wondering how to get rid of horse flies once and for all? Let’s break down what attracts them, why they bite, and the best methods to protect your space.
Unlike house flies, horse flies are in it for the blood. While they do consume nectar and plant materials for nourishment, female horse flies need blood meals to reproduce. It’s the same reason mosquitoes come after you during a summer barbecue. Without blood, female horse flies can’t produce eggs.
But why do horse flies bite humans? It’s mostly about opportunity. If you’re sweating, wearing dark clothing, or giving off carbon dioxide, you’re basically inviting them to bite. And if you’re hanging around livestock, horse flies will be more than happy to sample a human meal, too.
A horse fly's mouth is built for damage. These pests don’t sting or pierce like mosquitoes—they cut. Equipped with sharp, scissor-like appendages, their mouthparts slice right into your skin. This painful approach is why horse flies bite so aggressively and leave behind large, swollen welts.
We can easily swat away these pesky flies when they deliver painful bites, but other animals aren’t as lucky. If you’ve ever observed groups of horses, you may spot them frequently flicking their tails upwards or shuddering to remove the flies on their body.
So, where do horse flies come from, and why are they swarming your backyard? They love hanging around ponds and marshes, especially during warmer months when their populations explode. If you have livestock or other large animals, horse flies could migrate from those areas into your home.
If you spot a horse fly inside, don’t worry! It isn’t likely that there is more buzzing about, and you can quickly dispose of the pests. Horse flies primarily stay outdoors, so you should be more concerned if you see copious amounts of these insects flying around your yard.
Horse flies lay their eggs near water or damp soil, making your yard a prime target if you’ve got pools, puddles, or overgrown grass. Their larvae develop in wet environments, which is why you’re more likely to find them in areas that aren’t well-maintained. In the summer, rainy regions in Washington may also see an uptick in horse fly populations!
According to the Washington State Department of Health, you can prevent horse flies by removing debris from your yard like straw, tree limbs, hay, or grass clippings and mowing your lawn. These pests tend to group together in dense grassy areas.
Good news and bad news. Unlike mosquitoes, horse flies aren’t known to transmit diseases to humans. But their painful bites can cause swelling, itching, and even allergic reactions.
Animals aren’t so lucky. Horse flies can easily transmit blood-borne diseases, like swamp fever, to new animals. If one has the illness, the next animal could contract the sickness as the horse fly feeds.
When a horse fly carrying disease bites a horse, it can lead to symptoms like anemia, low blood pressure, and general malaise. Because of the quick onset of this illness, some horses could die without expressing any troubling symptoms.
Unfortunately, there are no medically preventative measures for this disease, so keeping horse flies away from your livestock and animals is key to keeping them safe.
If you’re tired of dealing with these persistent pests, it’s time to figure out how to get rid of horse flies for good. Thankfully, you’ve got options. We recommend utilizing horse fly traps to protect your property from these blood-sucking insects.
Plenty of pest control companies offer pre-made horse fly traps designed to target and eliminate horse flies effectively. These traps come in different styles, so finding the right one for your situation is key.
Some traps are electric, zapping horse flies as they venture too close. These work well for areas like porches or patios, but they might not be the best choice for damp or rainy spots. If you’re dealing with horse flies around your pool, for example, moisture can interfere with how these traps work.
Bagged bait traps are another popular choice. They use scent or bait to lure horse flies inside, where the insects end up trapped and drown. This type of horse fly catcher can be effective for open fields or pools, but it’s not always perfect. Since horse flies are naturally attracted to warmth and carbon dioxide, they may bypass a baited trap if they find a more appealing target.
For heavy infestations, you might want to consider specialized traps that use heat to mimic a warm body. These horse fly traps often use a dark-colored device heated by the sun to trick flies into thinking they've found a viable host. Once the fly approaches and attempts to feed, it becomes trapped while trying to escape through the top.
These heated traps are particularly effective on sunny days when horse flies are most active. However, they might struggle to attract flies during overcast weather, so keep that in mind when setting them up.
No matter which trap you choose, consistency is key. Combining traps and placing them in strategic areas like patios, near livestock, or around pools can help you keep horse fly numbers under control. It might take a bit of experimenting to find the best solution for your property, but the results are worth it.
Up next: Want to know how to make your own horse fly trap? Keep reading for some DIY pest control options!
When you’re creating a DIY horse fly trap, the choices are limitless! Whether you want to mimic the design of a purchasable option or make something entirely new, we can help you figure out the right alternative.
The University of Missouri recommends using an umbrella-style or “Manitoba-type" trap to ensnare these biting insects. To make a similar trap, you’ll need:
To construct your own horse fly trap, follow these steps:
After forming the outside sheeting, grab a jar and a soda bottle. Cut the bottom part of the bottle off, leaving behind the top. Glue this to the lid of your jar, and staple, glue, or nail the jar lid to the wooden plank. Cut a small hole through the plank and the lid.
You can now attach the jar lid to the rest of your trap. As the flies flock to the ball, they will fly upwards to the top of the soda bottle and into the jar. The flies can’t exit back out of the trap, and you can easily unscrew the jar and deposit the flies elsewhere.
Check out the University of Missouri’s article for more information!
While this method will require some construction, you can frequently reuse this sturdy trap. Plus, if you’re a crafty individual, you can knock out this project over the weekend!
Here’s what you’ll need:
Spray your wooden pieces with black paint and center your glass sheet on one of the 2x4 planks. On top, line up the other 2x4 with the one below the glass.
Fasten the wood pieces together with a screw to both ends. With a torch, warp the underside of the glass into a v-shape that rests on both sides of the wood. Screw the other two wooden pieces to the sides of the top 2x4.
If you want to secure this to your tub, you can drill the wooden 2x4s into the top of the container. After this, fill the tub with water and dish soap and place it out in the sun.
The sun will heat the painted wooden pieces as the sun reflects off the glass. The flies will fall into the water as they attempt to feed on the dark wood. The soapy water will make it impossible for the flies to crawl out.
Here’s a video that better illustrates the steps and how well it holds up against horse flies!
Horse flies are difficult pests to beat, and their sting can leave you wincing in pain. Zunex knows how annoying these pests can be, and we want to help prevent them from landing on your property.
Whenever you struggle with horseflies (and the traps aren't cutting it), contact us today!
By Allison Clayton
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