Summer is often a challenging time for your horse, with high heat and humidity — and plenty of march flies!
Also known as horseflies around the world, these biting insects thrive in warmer months, which can cause your horse severe discomfort. And despite being called ‘March’ flies, these pests are present year-round in Australia.
So let’s look at why it's important to protect your equine friend from march flies, and how you can do it.
What attracts march flies to horses?
March flies are attracted to horses because of their movement, body heat and the carbon dioxide they exhale.
They’re also attracted to darker colors, making dark-coated horses more appealing targets.
March flies are especially keen on sweaty animals, as they can detect moisture and certain odours from sweat. This is why you might notice more march flies than usual in warmer months, when horses are more active and perspire more.
Standing water or damp environments near pastures can draw more flies – these areas are ideal for breeding.
Why do march flies bite?
March flies bite to feed on blood, which provides the proteins they need for reproduction.
Female march flies are the culprits. And their bites can be particularly painful because they use sharp, scissor-like mouthparts to cut into the skin rather than piercing it.
This cutting action causes more irritation and bleeding, leaving your horse in discomfort.
Beyond the annoyance, for horses with sensitive skin or allergies, a single bite can trigger excessive swelling or adverse reactions.
Are march flies dangerous?
While march flies are not inherently deadly, their bites can pose risks to both horses and humans.
Their sharp mouthparts can leave painful, open wounds that may become infected if not properly cared for.
How to get rid of march flies
To get rid of march flies, ensure you clean out manure and dirty water, use fly masks and mesh rugs for protection, and limit exposure to the sun to prevent sweat (which attracts march flies).
1. Maintain a clean environment
The first step to preventing march flies is making sure they don’t have access to their favourite things: manure, debris and dirty water.
So we recommend that you:
- Keep your stable clean, and regularly clear manure from your yards and paddocks, as insects are attracted to manure.
- Avoid leaving out any feed or supplements, or dirty feed bins.
- Frequently clean and refill troughs and buckets to avoid standing or stagnant water, which attracts insects.
2. Invest in outer layer protection
There are a range of options to either repel flies from your horse – or stop them from getting too close to their skin. This includes:
- Fly masks: Correctly fitted fly masks or veils offer protection for your horse's head. Just make sure to check your horse's mask regularly for debris or damage, and don't leave it overnight.
- Topical repellents: There are a range of different fly sprays and gels that you can use on your horse, particularly during rides where insects are more prevalent, such as Troy Repel-X Spray.
- Fly mesh rugs: Lightweight fly mesh rugs keep your horse covered from flies and extreme UV temperatures, while allowing plenty of breeze through to keep them cool.
3. Move your horse to the right place
Summer in Australia is hot! As such, you should:
- Provide cover in paddocks or an open shed that offers shade. This will help keep your horse cooler and reduce their sweat (which insects love).
- Keep your horse in a yard or stable during early mornings and late afternoons when insects are most prevalent to help reduce exposure.
How to treat march fly bites on horses
If your horse does receive a bite or two, you can treat them with these steps:
- Clean the wound with cold water.
- Apply an antiseptic cream like Virbac Septicide Cream to prevent infection and heal the wound.
- Keep a close eye on the bite, watching for signs of infection like swelling or pus.
- Consult your veterinarian for immediate advice if the bite gets worse, or if your horse is particularly sensitive to insect bites.
Explore Petstock’s full range of horse first aid treatments.
Ready to protect your horse? Shop Petstock’s range of summer horse rugs today.