Fly control isn’t about finding one perfect spray. It’s about reducing the conditions that let insects thrive and layering protection where it actually matters.
When flies get bad, it’s tempting to overcorrect. The barns that manage insects best do the opposite. They build systems, keep routines boring, and let consistency do the work.
Flies go where food and moisture collect. Managing trash and manure is the single most effective step in fly control.
Use sealed trash containers, haul waste regularly, clean stalls daily, and pick paddocks and high-traffic areas weekly. Composting manure properly also helps discourage fly development through heat.
Buckets, tires, low spots, and unused containers become breeding grounds after even light rain.
Dump, scrub, and refill water tanks regularly, and remove anything that can collect water around barns and turnout areas.
Fly sheets, masks, and good airflow reduce how often insects land. Fans in stalls and run-ins disrupt flight patterns and make horses less appealing targets.
Physical protection lowers how much topical product you need and keeps routines more predictable during peak season.
Not every situation calls for the same solution. Many riders now prefer plant-based repellents as part of a broader management plan.
Citraquin® by Draw It Out® is formulated without industrial pesticides and can be used on horses, in stalls, and on equipment. It’s one layer in a system, not the system itself.
Fly predators target flies at the pupa stage and can reduce populations over time. They don’t replace cleaning, but they can support it when applied consistently across a property.
These same principles show up throughout how we approach care: in the Solution Finder, our prevention-first Prehabilitation philosophy, and seasonal routines outlined in the Seasonal Care Guide. For more practical shortcuts, visit the Barn Hacks Hub.
Fly control works best when it’s boring. Build the system once, run it every day, and let your horses get back to ignoring what’s buzzing around them.
This article explains background and context. If you’re here to act, these are the most common next steps riders take.
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