How to Get Rid of Horseflies Near a Pond

Getting rid of horseflies takes creativity.

Large, biting horseflies are attracted to wet, marshy areas like ponds. They are a nuisance because female horseflies feed on blood. Besides a painful bite, horseflies can induce an allergic reaction such as hives, rashes and shortness of breath in humans. Horseflies only pose a threat in the daytime and during the summer, although they can persist year-round in warmer locales. Although staying indoors is the best way to avoid horseflies, you can build a trap to get rid of them.

Things You'll Need

• Small table
• Rope
• Flypaper
• Hammer
• Nails
• Black ball
• Glue

Instructions

1. Turn a small table or stool upside down so you can easily access the underside.

2. Glue the rope to a medium-sized black ball. Nail the rope and the ball to the underside of the table.

3. Affix the flypaper to the underside of the table so the entire surface is covered.

4. Set the stool or table near the pond. The horseflies will be attracted to the dark color of the ball. Allow the ball to swing in the wind, which will also help attract horseflies. When the horseflies realize there is nothing to feed on, they will fly up and get stuck on the flypaper.

Tips & Warnings

• One extreme option is to drain your pond to get rid of horseflies. You can also buy horsefly traps similar to the device listed above. As of 2011, it cost about $200.

• Do not use an insecticide in your pond to kill horseflies, as it will also kill the fish.

References

• "Ask the Exterminator"; Horse Fly; Rick Steinau
• Texas A&M University: Horse Fly, Deer Fly