How to Control Botflies

Botflies are a source of annoyance to horses, and they cause horses to stamp and bite themselves. These flies lay their eggs on the horse's chest and forelegs, and horses get the larvae in their mouths when they bite at themselves. The larvae end up in the horse's stomach, causing gastritis and other stomach problems. The botflies are released in the horse's manure in the spring and begin their life cycle again. Controlling botflies at the egg stage can help you have happier, healthier horses.

Things You'll Need

  • Bot knife
  • Bot comb
  • Dewormer with ivermectin
  • Warm water solution with insecticide
  • Sponge
  • Equine insect repellent
  • Baby oil
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Instructions

    • 1

      Remove eggs using a bot knife. Use the bot knife on the horse's hair on a daily basis during fly season.

    • 2

      Comb horse with a bot comb to remove eggs.

    • 3

      Rub sandpaper on the horse's coat to remove eggs.

    • 4

      Deworm horses with dewormers containing ivermectin. Dewormers containing ivermectin kill the larvae in the horse's stomach. Deworm in the fall and the spring for best results.

    • 5

      Sponge the areas where bot eggs are present with a warm water solution containing an insecticide. The warmth from the water will stimulate the eggs to hatch, and once they hatch, the insecticide will kill the larvae.

    • 6

      Spray the horse with equine insect repellent. This should keep the flies from laying eggs on the horses.

    • 7

      Apply baby oil to the horse's coat. This will prevent new eggs from sticking.

    • 8

      Remove and dispose of horse droppings regularly. This will prevent the botfly larvae from burrowing into the soil and hatching.