We have all been plagued with those huge, annoying flies that follow you around and aggressively chase you if you run from them! These are called horse flies. Horse flies get their name mainly because they tend to stick to and bite horses and other mammals.
Horseflies are considered “true” flies in the family Tabanidae in the insect order Diptera. These flies are usually large and agile in flight. Female horse flies are usually the ones that bite as they need to obtain blood in order to reproduce and be able to lay eggs.
What Do Horse Flies Like?
These flies can detect the difference in humans and animals by their colors and movements. They are attracted to shiny objects, warmth, sweat, and exhaled carbon dioxide. Female horse flies are easily differentiated from males by their eyes. Female’s eyes are widely separated while male’s eyes are so close, they are almost touching. They are often patterned and brightly colored in life but appear dull in preserved specimens. All horse flies are aggressive by nature and vicious biters.
How Do I Get Rid of Horse Flies?
These flies tend to congregate in damp areas and in pasturelands near creeks during the warmer seasons. While Prime Pest Solutions doesn’t treat for any type of flies, there is a natural way to rid your yard this summer of these annoying pests.
If you see these flies around you can mix 5 cups of water with 1 cup lemon-scented dish soap, 1 cup of lemon-scented ammonia and 1 cup of mint flavored mouth wash. You will mix all ingredients together in a gallon jug and then transfer the solution into a garden sprayer. This natural repellant is safe to use on plants and shrubs and will also keep away other biting insects.