BYE-BYE-FLY

As summer draws near, the season for nuisance and biting flies is here.

These flies are not only annoying and relentless, but their bites a cause severe skin irritation’s on horses. Large numbers can cause irritation and ulceration. This can cause a serious problem, especially around the eyes as it can lead to conjunctivitis. Bush and house flies do not bite, but their habit of feeding on wounds and around the eyes, nostrils and mouth can cause considerable annoyance to horses and disturb their feeding, rest and general comfort.

Buffalo flies have spread south from Queensland and norther New South Wales. They can cause irritation and sores on the ears, eyes and abdomen. In heavy infestation, severe mutilation can occur.

Queensland itch is very common in the northern parts of Australia. But it is not confined to these areas as it occurs wherever sand-flies exist. When the horse is bitten by a sand-fly, small bumps develop on the skin. Because the lumps are intensely itchy the horse rubs itself, causing loss of hair. Serum oozes from the skin and causes scabs to form. In chronic cases the skin becomes thickened and corrugated, especially along the flank, neck, buttocks and tail.

Once or twice a day stable flies come to the horse, feed vigorously for a minute or two, and then return to the shade to digest their food. These bites can cause intense irritation in some horses. The bites appear as small raised lumps with a central scab.

So what can be done to ease this burden on horses?

Where possible, prevention is better than cure. Australian made SWAT has been introduced to the market and is the most effective fly killer for horses. SWAT is a ready to use insecticide containing the pyrethroid insecticide “Permethrin” in a low irritant, oil-based formulation. Its formula doesn’t contain alcohol (present in most fly sprays) therefore it won’t sting if the horse has been bitten.

SWAT is also rain and sweat resistant and won’t wash off during wet periods. And it’s easy to apply, simply use the supplied applicator mitt/cloth and wipe it over the horse where flies migrate. Applied no more than once a week, SWAT’s highly concentrated formula protects against Buffalo fly, stable fly and Sand-flies. In fact, a 250ml bottle will give the average horse two months protection (8 applications). Twice that for a 500mL bottle. SWAT will therefor deliver to you and your horse safe, long lasting and superior protection against nuisance flies.