It is fairly common knowledge that horse flies are much bigger and can deliver a much more painful bite than regular flies, but why is this?
To understand this we must first understand the types of flies and the differences between them.
Fruit Flies
Fruit flies, also known as vinegar flies, are small insects that belong to the family Drosophilidae. They are typically yellowish-brown or tan in color, with bright red eyes that are easy to spot. Their bodies are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in length, and they have two translucent wings that allow them to fly quickly and erratically.
Fruit flies have a relatively short lifespan, with adults typically living for just a few weeks. They hatch from eggs in as little as 24 hours. Fruit fly hives, or colonies, can range in size from just a few individuals to several hundred, depending on the availability of food and other resources. Fruit flies can be a problem year-round, but are especially common during late summer/autumn.
These flies are commonly found in kitchens and other areas where food is prepared or stored. They are attracted to overripe or rotting fruits and vegetables, as well as sugary liquids like soda and alcohol.
While fruit flies are generally considered to be a nuisance rather than a serious health threat, they can carry and transmit a number of diseases and bacteria such as E. coli and Salmonella, as well as parasitic worms that can infect humans and other animals. In addition, fruit flies can trigger allergic reactions in some people, especially those with asthma or other respiratory conditions.
House flies
House flies are one of the most common and widespread species of flies. They are medium-sized flies, typically measuring between 1/4 and 3/8 of an inch in length. House flies are grayish in color with four dark stripes. They have large, compound eyes, and two wings that are used to fly quickly and erratically.
House flies are typically active during the warmer months of the year and are known to be attracted to human-made environments such as homes, restaurants, and other food establishments. They are also known to be attracted to decaying organic matter, such as animal waste, and compost.
House fly eggs are laid in moist, organic materials such as manure and decaying vegetation. The eggs hatch into larvae within 12-24 hours. The entire life cycle of a house fly can take as little as two weeks, with adults living for around 1-2 months.
House flies are social insects that can form large colonies or hives. These colonies can range in size from just a few individuals to several thousand, depending on the availability of food and other resources. House fly colonies are often found in and around human-made structures, such as buildings, barns, and other agricultural settings.
While house flies are primarily known for being a nuisance, they can also be carriers of a wide range of diseases. House flies are strongly suspected of transmitting at least 65 diseases to humans. Some of the diseases that can be transmitted by house flies include typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery, tuberculosis E. coli and trachoma, a type of eye infection that can lead to blindness.
Midges
Midges are small, delicate, flying insects that belong to the family Chironomidae. They are commonly referred to as non-biting midges and are often confused with mosquitoes. Midges can be found all over the world, and there are over 10,000 known species.
Midges are typically small, ranging in size from 1 to 5 millimeters in length. Midges are usually gray or brown in color, and some species have distinct markings or patterns on their wings or bodies.
Midges can hatch at different times of the year depending on the species and location. In temperate regions, they are most commonly found in the spring and summer months.
Midges do not form hives or colonies like bees or ants. Instead, they live in aquatic habitats such as ponds, rivers, and streams, and spend most of their lives as larvae or pupae in the water.
While midges are generally considered to be harmless to humans, some species have been linked to the transmission of human diseases such as river blindness and filariasis. In some cases, the saliva of midges has been known to induce acute allergic reactions in horses.
Cluster flies
Cluster flies, also known as attic flies, are a type of fly that are often found in homes and other buildings during the fall and winter months. These flies are known for their habit of clustering together in large numbers, often in attics, wall voids, and other secluded areas like barns or stables.
Cluster flies are slightly larger than common house flies, typically measuring between 8-10 millimeters in length. They have dark gray or black bodies with golden hairs and emit a distinctive buzzing sound when they fly.
Cluster flies typically hatch in the late summer or early autumn, and the adults can be found in and around buildings from September to November. The flies often seek out warm, protected areas such as attics or wall voids to hibernate during the winter months.
Unlike other types of flies, cluster flies do not form hives or colonies. Instead, they are solitary insects that cluster together for warmth and protection.
While cluster flies are not known to transmit diseases to humans, they can be a nuisance when they cluster in large numbers. Additionally, the presence of cluster flies in homes and buildings can be an indicator of structural problems such as cracks or gaps in walls or roofing.
Black Flies
Black flies, also known as buffalo gnats, are small, biting insects that belong to the family Simuliidae. Black flies are typically found near bodies of water such as rivers, streams, and lakes.
Black flies are small, measuring between 1-5 millimeters in length. Black flies are typically black or dark brown in color, and some species have gray or white markings on their wings.
Black flies typically hatch in the spring and early summer, with peak emergence occurring in May and June in many regions. Adult black flies are active during the daytime, with peak activity occurring in the late morning and early afternoon.
Black flies do not form hives or colonies like bees or ants. Instead, they typically lay their eggs in flowing water. Adult black flies are often found in large swarms near bodies of water.
Black flies are known for their painful and irritating bites, which can cause swelling, itching, and even an allergic reaction in some individuals. Additionally, black flies are known to transmit a variety of diseases to humans and animals, including river blindness and tularemia.
Bot Flies
Bot flies, also known as warble flies, are a type of fly that are known for their parasitic larvae.
Bot flies are typically large and robust, measuring between 1-3 centimeters in length. They have a hairy, brown or black body. Bot flies have distinctive larvae that burrow into the skin or body cavities of their host animals, where they feed and develop.
Bot flies typically hatch in the summer months, with adult flies active from May to September in many regions. Female bot flies deposit their eggs on the fur or skin of their host animals, where the larvae hatch and burrow into the body.
Bot flies do not form hives or colonies like bees or ants. Instead, they parasitize a variety of mammals, including humans, dogs, horses, and cattle. The larvae of bot flies can cause a variety of health problems in their hosts, including pain, swelling, infection and a variety of diseases. These diseases can include tularemia, Lyme disease, and other tick-borne illnesses.
Mosquitos
A mosquito is a small, slender insect that belongs to the family Culicidae. There are over 3,000 known species of mosquitoes worldwide.
They are usually gray or brown in color, although some species may have distinct patterns or markings on their bodies. Female mosquitoes have a proboscis, a long, needle-like mouthpart used to pierce the skin and suck blood. Adult mosquitoes are usually between 3 and 9 mm in length.
Mosquitoes typically lay their eggs in standing water. In general, mosquito eggs can hatch within 24 to 48 hours after being laid.
Mosquitoes are most active during the warmer months, usually from late spring to early fall. The exact time of year they appear can vary depending on the location and climate.
Mosquitoes do not live in hives or colonies like bees or wasps. Instead, they are usually found in small groups or as individuals.
Mosquitoes are known to transmit a variety of diseases to humans and animals, including malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus (which can be fatal in horses), chikungunya virus and Equine Infectious Anemia which can also be fatal in horses.
Deer Flies
Deer flies are small to medium-sized flies that are typically dark brown or black in color with iridescent or transparent wings. They have large, prominent eyes and a stout body. Female deer flies have sharp mouthparts used to slice open skin and feed on blood.
Adult deer flies can range in size from 6 to 25 mm in length and lay their eggs in moist soil or vegetation near water sources, such as ponds or streams.
Deer flies are most active during the summer months, usually from June to August.
Deer flies do not live in hives or colonies like bees or wasps. Instead, they are usually found in small groups or as individuals.
Deer flies are not known to transmit diseases to humans, but they can transmit a disease called tularemia to animals, including deer and rabbits. Tularemia is a bacterial disease that can be transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals or their bites. Deer flies can also transmit Equine Infectious Anemia which can also be fatal in horses.
Horse flies
Horse flies are an especially formidable type of fly, known for their large size and painful bites. These flies are much larger than regular house flies, with an average length of 1-2 centimeters.
Unlike many other types of flies, horse flies have a sharp, scissor-like mouthpart that is capable of slicing through the skin of their prey. This makes their bite particularly painful and difficult to ignore. In fact, horse fly bites are known to be one of the most painful insect bites that a person can experience.
Horse flies typically hatch in the spring and early summer, with peak emergence occurring in June and July in many regions. During this time, they are highly active and can be found in abundance in areas near bodies of water and abundant vegetation.
While many types of flies are known to transmit diseases, horse flies are especially concerning due to their potential to carry a variety of serious illnesses. These can include equine infectious anemia, tularemia, and various types of encephalitis, which can all be fatal to horses.
So, how do you deter horse flies?
Unfortunately, many leading brands of fly repellent are not effective against horse flies.
However, Fly Free Equine manufactures and distributes highly effective and affordable equine fly repellent which is endorsed by top equestrians and which is also extremely effective against horse flies!
For other ways to keep flies away from your horse: Read more…
