6 Best Fly Control Systems For Horse Stables That Work With Nature
Discover 6 natural fly control systems for stables. From fly predators to smart traps, learn how to manage pests by working with nature, not against it.
The moment you slide open the barn door on a warm summer morning, you’re greeted by a buzzing cloud. Flies swarm around your horse’s eyes, land on every surface, and make a peaceful grooming session impossible. A fly-infested barn isn’t just an annoyance; it’s a health risk for your animals, spreading disease and causing constant stress.
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An Integrated Approach to Stable Fly Control
There is no single magic bullet for fly control. Anyone who tells you one product will solve all your problems is selling something. The only effective strategy is an integrated one that attacks the fly population from multiple angles and at every stage of their life cycle.
Think of it like defending a castle. You need outer walls, inner defenses, and guards on patrol. For your barn, this means intercepting flies before they get in, trapping the ones that do, making the environment hostile to them, and, most importantly, destroying their breeding grounds. Each system we’ll cover is a different layer in that defense.
Spalding Labs Fly Predators: Biological Control
Fly Predators are your silent, microscopic army. These are not flies but tiny, non-stinging parasitic wasps that exclusively target the pupal stage of pest flies. You release them near manure piles and other "hot spots," and they go to work laying their eggs inside fly cocoons, killing the developing fly before it can ever hatch.
This is a proactive strategy, not a reactive one. Fly Predators don’t kill adult flies, so you won’t see a dramatic drop overnight. Their job is to prevent the next generation from ever taking flight. Success depends on consistency. You must start releasing them in early spring before the fly population explodes and continue with regular shipments throughout the season. They are a powerful tool, but they work on a biological clock, not an instantaneous one.
Rescue! Big Bag Fly Trap for Perimeter Defense
These traps are your first line of defense, set up on the perimeter of your property. The Rescue! Big Bag uses a powerful, water-activated attractant that lures flies in, where they become trapped and drown. They are incredibly effective at catching thousands of adult flies, significantly reducing the number that ever make it to your barn.
The tradeoff is the smell. The attractant is potent and smells awful, which is precisely why it works so well. Never hang these traps inside your barn or near your house. Place them 50-100 feet away from the stable, downwind if possible. They are a perfect example of intercepting the enemy before they reach the main gate.
Starbar Sticky Roll Fly Tape for Aisleways
Once flies breach your perimeter, you need an interior defense. The Starbar Sticky Roll is a simple, low-tech, and highly effective tool for this job. It’s essentially a giant, super-sticky roll of fly paper that you can unspool along barn aisleways, near doorways, or in wash stalls—anywhere flies congregate.
The visual appeal is zero; a roll covered in dead flies is not a pretty sight. But their effectiveness is undeniable. They passively catch flies 24/7 without chemicals or electricity. When a section is full, you simply roll it up and unspool a fresh one. It’s a messy but necessary tool for capturing the flies that inevitably get inside.
Absorbine UltraShield Green Natural Repellent
Your horses are the ultimate target, so they need personal protection. Absorbine’s UltraShield Green is a botanical-based repellent that provides a safe, natural alternative to chemical-heavy fly sprays. It uses essential oils like citronella, cedar, and thyme to repel flies, gnats, and mosquitoes on contact.
The key with natural repellents is realistic expectations. They work well, but they don’t have the long-lasting power of their synthetic counterparts. You’ll likely need to reapply it daily, or even before each ride or turnout, especially if your horse sweats. Think of it as providing immediate, short-term relief for your horse’s comfort, complementing the broader environmental controls you have in place.
Schaefer Barn Fans for Constant Air Movement
Flies are weak, clumsy fliers. They hate moving air. Installing high-quality, high-velocity barn fans creates an environment where it’s simply too difficult for them to fly, land, and bother your horses. This is a non-chemical, mechanical control method that works around the clock.
Proper placement is crucial. You want fans positioned to create consistent airflow through stalls, aisleways, and run-in sheds. This not only deters flies but also improves ventilation, reduces heat stress, and lowers humidity—all of which contribute to a healthier barn. It’s a significant upfront investment, but the benefits for fly control and overall horse comfort are immense.
Heath Bird House Kits to Attract Barn Swallows
Nature provides its own best pest control specialists. A single barn swallow can eat hundreds, if not thousands, of insects every single day. Encouraging a colony to nest in or near your barn is like having a free, full-time fly control service.
You can attract them by putting up simple nesting shelves or birdhouse kits specifically designed for swallows. Mount them high up under the eaves of the barn or shed, where they are protected from predators. This is a long-term strategy; it may take a season or two for a pair to move in. But once established, they will return year after year to raise their young and feast on your fly population.
Manure Management: The Cornerstone of Control
Every other tool on this list is a supplement to this one fundamental practice. If you don’t manage your manure, you will lose the war against flies. Manure is the primary breeding ground for flies, and a single horse can produce enough manure in a day to generate thousands of new flies.
Effective management isn’t complicated, but it is non-negotiable.
- Muck stalls daily. No exceptions.
- Clean paddocks and dry lots at least twice a week.
- Move the manure pile far away from the barn. A distance of at least 100-150 feet is ideal.
- Consider composting. The heat generated during active composting kills fly eggs and larvae, turning a problem into a valuable resource for your garden.
Without diligent manure management, you are just bailing out a sinking boat with a teaspoon. All the traps, predators, and sprays in the world can’t keep up with an unchecked fly nursery right outside your barn door. This is the foundation upon which all other fly control efforts are built.
Success isn’t about finding the one perfect product, but about building a smart, layered system. By combining biological, mechanical, and physical controls—all built on a foundation of clean living—you can create a barn that works with nature to keep your horses comfortable and healthy all season long.
