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Fly Types & Facts

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Horse Fly Facts

  • ¾ - 1½ inches in length.
  • Black with bright eyes and clear wings

Horse Flies

The horsefly is an insect that has a reputation in many different countries. In some locations, the horsefly is called a clag, breeze fly or deer fly. Horse flies regularly attack both humans and animals, and upon biting, the horsefly feasts on the blood of its victim. The reason why horse flies are so dangerous is because they can easily transmit diseases.

A female is just like a mosquito because it requires a blood meal that is filled with protein, and it must feast before it’s able to reproduce. Certain varieties of horsefly are incredibly large while other varieties are the size of a typical housefly. In most cases, the horsefly is viewed as a nasty pest, despite the fact that it pollinates flowers.

What Are Horse Fies?

Horse flies are insects that suck the blood of humans, horses and cattle. A typical horsefly has a length of one inch, but some horse flies are a bit longer. Horse flies can be identified by their brightly-colored eyes and solid-colored wings. It’s unfortunate that even a small amount of horse flies can make outdoor activity undesirable. Year to year, the level of intensity of a horsefly assault varies. When cattle sustain a large number of bites from horse flies, it’s common for dairy production to stall. The horsefly is always active during daytime, and it’s attracted to warmth, carbon dioxide, shiny surfaces and movement. Horse flies have sharp mouth parts that are like knives, and they use these parts to slice the skin of humans and animals.

Horse Fly Infestation

It’s nearly impossible to find and remove a horsefly breeding location. In most cases, horse flies breed in wetlands, so it’s hard to kill them with insecticides because of potential collateral damage. The horsefly is a strong flying insect and can easily move into a home from long distances. In most situations, horsefly infestations are located a substantial distance away from a home. A typical horsefly breeding site is extensive, so it’s best to call a pest control expert.

How to Get Rid of Horse Fies

Homeowners can attempt to get rid of horse flies, but in most cases, it’s a good idea to hire some professionals. To try to get rid of horse flies, homeowners can purchase traps and place them in areas where horse flies are known to hang out and breed. By catching the horse flies in traps, they cannot attack humans or animals. When working in any area that is likely to contain horse flies, it’s important to wear long pants and sleeves. Although protective clothing will not stop the bite from a horsefly, it will lessen the severity of a bite.

Horse Fly Health Concerns

When it comes to dealing with horse flies, the top health concern is disease transmittal. Since a horsefly feasts on the blood of its victims, it can quickly transmit diseases. Aside from the disease concerns, horse flies can also cause serious pain. A small group of horse flies can bite a human enough times to force him or her back into their home. It’s best to have professionals remove horsefly infestations.

 


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