Pest Control for Horses

The Horse Information lives Here! ©
The #1 Horse Industry Information Advertising Directory! Contact Ann to include your company.

Pest Control for Horses

Understanding fly control

The Bewildering World of Fly Control
By Jennifer Bauman for ARBICO Organics

Pyrethrum? Pyrethroid? Permethrin? Cypermethrin? Tetrachlorvinphos? Man-oh-man is label reading dizzying!! Even for someone with a background in chemistry, these terms are difficult to sort out and keep straight. Are you the kind of person who buys Tylenol because you can’t remember whether Acetaminophen is the same or if it’s Ibuprofen? If this describes you, how do you decide whether to purchase a fly control product when you’re standing in the tack store reading the label or looking at something on-line? Do you care if the active ingredient is a natural extract or synthetically made? Does it even matter? What does what anyway? Is it toxic? Is it safe? Does it work?

Protecting horses from flys and pests. As decision makers for so many dependent creatures—horses, other livestock, pets, children, wildlife--we face a bewildering world of choices that have effects on many different levels. We know, for instance, that insects can transmit disease. West Nile Virus, Equine Encephalitis, and Infectious Anemia are just a few diseases that induce shivers of fear within us. We know that many of the biting insects like flies and mosquitoes transmit these diseases. We know we can kill these insects in a variety of ways, from barn and/or horse sprays to oral larvicides to biological control. We also know that many of the methods we use may or may not be harmful to our animals, children, ourselves and the environment. We know we need to stop the flies and mosquitoes in order to prevent the spread of disease, but how do we choose the safest, most effective method? Acetaminophen and Tylenol might be the same but many ingredients in fly control products sound very similar but are not the same at all. We need to sort through the confusion before we’re facing that awful mid-summer buzz that drives us to consider anything short of selling our souls to kill, kill, kill!

Let’s start sorting through some of this mish-mash. Just because something is “natural” or “organic” doesn’t mean it’s safe. Socrates would certainly disagree that a plant extract is harmless!! (Poor guy was killed by hemlock which is an extract of a common plant often confused with Queen Anne’s lace). So what are these chemicals we’re spraying all over our horses or misting throughout our barns? One of the most common ingredients found in many insecticides are pyrethrins (pī-rē' thrĭns). These poisons are extracted from certain species of the well known plant Chrysanthemum. Pyrethrins are effective insecticides and are fairly non-toxic to mammals, but will kill fish and other aquatic organisms so should not be used near waterways. One drawback of pyrethrin use is the propensity of this extract to become allergenic. Contact dermatitis (blisters, rash or general irritation) is a common reaction in both humans and horses. People with sensitivity to ragweed or who have asthma can also be sensitive to pyrethrins, with symptoms such as sneezing, headaches, stuffiness, eye burning and itchiness. These products should not be applied near your horse’s eyes or other sensitive areas. Countless products contain pyrethrins; a few are PyGanic, Pyranha, ShooFly and FlyBeater Barn and Stable Insect Fog. Of the many fly and mosquito sprays available, these products are very effective and are among the least toxic solutions when used with caution according to label instructions.

Pyrethroids (pī-rē'throids) are another story. Found as the active ingredient(s) in many fly and Horses standing and eating. mosquito sprays, this class of chemicals is bad news. These are the man-made version of the same chemicals found in chrysanthemums. Cypermethrin (cī-pər-mĕth'rĭn) and Permethrin (pər-mĕth'rĭn) are two of the most common pyrethroids found in many common horse and/or barn sprays, like Endure, FlySect, Ultrashield, and Mosquito Halt. These are also often found in “spot-on” products like EquiSpot and FLY-RID Plus as well. Sometimes products contain both natural pyrethrin AND the synthetic product permethrin, so read carefully! Permethrin is a neurotoxin, a possible carcinogen (cancer causer), known mutagen (damager of genetic material), and suppressor of the immune system. It kills insects by over-exciting their nervous systems. In mammals, it also causes repeat nerve impulses which can lead to tremors, hyperactivity or paralysis. Because of the way they work, pyrethroids can also create problems for people taking medications for multiple sclerosis (MS). Given all these problems, one should deeply consider other control options before using pyrethroids.

Another chemical to watch out for is tetrachlorvinphos (tĕt'rə-klôr-vĭn-phôs), the active ingredient in some salt blocks, certain mineral supplements, “feed throughs” and other oral larvicides such as Equitrol, “rabon” containing products, Enproal, Equi-fly, Flycurb and Flypatrol. This chemical is also found in many dog and cat products (even flea collars), so read carefully! Tetrachlorvinphos is a known carcinogen. It is a cholinestersase inhibitor which means that in mammals it causes tremors and nausea at low doses and paralysis and death at high doses. It has been linked to impaired neurological development in the fetus and in infants. Pregnant women and horses should stay away from this product! It is acutely toxic to a wide array of creatures (it kills them) and is thought to contaminate groundwater. It is not registered for use in most of Europe, including Germany and England, nor in Australia, New Zealand, ten African countries and several parts of Asia. Some of these products have been taken off the market surrounded by controversy (links to horse deaths, reports of weight loss) and have had their formulas and/or dosages changed in response. Do not be fooled!! These products still use tetrachlorvinphos! With so many other effective, less toxic methods of fly and mosquito control, it’s hard to believe anyone would choose these products.

Active Ingredients

Caution

Pyrethrin

Mild

Permethrin

Moderate

Cypermethrin

Moderate

Tetrachlorvinphos

EXTREME

Absolutely, flies and mosquitoes must be stopped, but there is a chemical free way! Biological control of flies and mosquitoes is absolutely the least toxic option, and the safest. It is also very effective. Flies can be controlled with a tiny species of insect that only reproduces within the body of a developing fly. These fly parasites are found naturally throughout the world. As this miniscule insect develops, it consumes the fly, causing it to die. Anywhere from 1 to 50 or more adults can emerge from a parasitized fly pupa, depending on which species it is. These adults mate and move on to parasitize more flies. This method of biological control is called “augmentative” because while these fly enemies are naturally present; their numbers are not sufficiently great to control the rapidly developing pest fly populations. The idea is to release enough of the fly parasites that the pest flies are overwhelmed. In combination with good manure management and trapping of incoming adult flies, biological control works fantastically.

Biological control is also an option for most other pest insects. For instance, mosquito larvae can be killed with an application of insect-killing bacteria known as Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. israelensis. Often referred to as “BTi”, this bacteria releases a toxin that is very specific to killing mosquitoes and their near relatives (like fungus gnats), yet is non-toxic to mammals, birds, fish, and other aquatic insects. These bacteria can be applied to moist areas and places where water is standing in order to kill mosquitoes where they breed.

Take care of your horse pests naturally. Using biological control solutions requires planning ahead. You have to start using your biological solutions before the pest situation gets out of control. The company I work for, ARBICO-Organics, is an excellent resource for both products and information. Our knowledgeable consultants can help you develop a comprehensive program to solve any of your pest problems safely.
Give us a call at 1(800) 827-2847 or visit our website at www.arbico-organics.com. As more people commit to using biological control of insect pests and to using the least toxic chemicals possible, our animals, children, and the environment will all benefit.

Contact: ARBICO
PO Box 8910
Tucson, Arizona 85738-0910
Phone: 1-800-827-2847
Email: info@arbico.com
Website: http:store.arbico-organics.com/

Send This Article To A Friend!
Your Name:
Your Email:
Your Friends Name:
Your Friends Email:
A Message For Your Friend:
Opt-In to our Newsletter

Have a Product or Service that would benefit Horse Owners? Contact Ann

Home, Articles, Academic Schools, Arena Maintenance, Animal Communicators, Barn and Accessories,
Barn Equipment and Tractors, Blankets Books and Videos, Breeders, Camping Gear, Career Schools, Carts and Buggies, Clinicians, Clothing, Dogs and Puppies, Horse Fencing, Fine Art & Furniture, For Sale, Fly Control, Foal Care, Footings, Gifts, Health and Nutrituon, Hoof and Leg, Horse Rehabilitation Farms, Horse Insurance, John Lyons Certified, Lawyers, Leather Care, Links, Health , Horse Property, Photography, Portable Stalls Areanas and Roundpens, Richard Shrake, Riding Schools, Schools, Services for Horses, Shipping, Skin and Coat, Software, Specialty Trainers, Summer Camps, Tack, Trainers, Trainer Educational, Trailers, Treats and Snacks, Truck Accessories, Trucks, Vacations, Western Lifestyle