Flies

[dogged]

Two of my dogs are tethered as their primary method of containment. I do twice daily clean ups, in addition to them being let off the chain for exercise, attention, and work.

This year, despite my clean up routine, the worst biting flies are coming around. I hate to see the dogs bothered by them and, until I find a solution, they've had to be in the house. Which is a shame when the weather has been so warm and nice out. I'm a little leery of the human products (Bug Off) and such, because I don't want to spray the dogs with something that could irritate them or cause skin issues. I made a solution out of natural neem oil but it just wasn't effective. I haven't had a fly issue before this season and, according to the vet's office, I'm not the only one seeing these pests.

Any ideas?

[BoldogKennel]

As for me, I'm lucky to live in a non fly area, so have no real experience with fighting them. I mean we have flies, but they are no big deal.

Horse people around here tell me there is some kind of bug that you can buy, and you pour the eggs of this animal around the poop and these critters kill the fly larva or something? I guess it works like crazy! Has anyone heard of it? I was thinking of using it in the chicken yard. If I come up with the name of what i'm *trying* to talk about, I'll post it but till then does anyone out there know what it is I'm trying to talk about????

[WNK]

on a more hippy note

Apply a thick coat of petroleum jelly to both ears. Flies cannot bite through the petroleum jelly. Reapply daily.

Add 1 tbsp. of apple-cider vinegar to your dog's water every day. it changes the ph of the dogs bllod so they dont taste good. (it also has other health benifits)

or Apply a thin layer of Avon's Skin-So-Soft lotion. Many people use it to repel mosquitoes and they claim that flies hate it too.
hope this helps!!

[dogged]

Perfect! Great stuff, WNK, thank you.

[BoldogKennel]

Lord! Katherine is AMAZING at the "home remedy" - really!

[cainenine]

Great info, next time I go camping I'm rubbing my entire bottle with petroleum jelly (sorry for the mental images) and drinking a bottle of vinegar those freaking bugs love me

[Tatonka]

My first post... I am Joanie Winchester, Tatonka Kennels. I have to agree completely with the Vaseline thing. If you mix it with some kind of insecticide it works a little better. Works great in scrapes, scratches of most kinds too. Some company makes something called SWAT for horses, it is the same principal, but more sticky, lasts longer and costs more. Good luck!

[Tatonka]

Oh... and Deep Woods Off has never bothered any of my dogs at all. I have used it on any and every thing. This time of year in Florida, the mosquito's will carry you away.
I don't like using it, but you have to do something. They sell a battery powered sprayer that sends out a spray of fly spray every 5 minutes that helps too. It's a trade off, you can't let your animals have flies and mosquito's on them, even if you don't like the idea of chemicals. I don't like it on me, but I don't like encephalitis either! Scarey!

[mustangax]

Fly Eliminators Biological Fly Control I think thats what you mean Diane. You put them on manure and they eat the fly larvae. Also we have good luck with putting water in a zip lock bag, put that bag in another and hang it from the ceiling or rafters. I was told it simulates a hornets nest and keeps flies away. All I know is it helps a lot. And cheap.

[dogged]

Thank you all for the suggestions. I did the Vaseline trick for about two days and, for some odd reason, the flies are now gone. At least the nasty biters. However, the mosquitoes are on the way so all these tips will come in handy again soon.

Got to love the South.