How to Get Rid of Horseflies Around My Swimming Pool

Horseflies sometimes congregate near pools.

Horseflies range from 3/8 inch to 1 inch in length. The insects bite through animal and human skin to feast on blood. Horsefly bites are painful and can leave your skin red and swollen for days, according to Texas A&M University. Since horseflies are attracted to wet areas, such as your home swimming pool, it is best to get rid of them as soon as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Fly traps
• Pyrethrin

Instructions

1. Unravel several sticky fly traps, and hang them around the pool area. The fly traps will capture and kill the horseflies that are frequenting your swimming pool. Replace full traps with new ones as needed.

2. Spray the immediate vicinity with a pyrethrin-based insecticide. Pyrethrin is all-natural, made from dried chrysanthemum plant parts, and safe to use around children and pets.

3. Wait it out. Horseflies will go away on their own after three to four weeks. According to The Dirt Doctor website, horseflies are active only during the month of August.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid using the pool during daylight hours. Horseflies are not active at night.

• When the temperature drops or the wind picks up, horseflies retreat back to their breeding site.

• Wear protective clothing if you need to vacuum the pool or mow the pool area during the day.

References

• Texas A&M University; Horsefly, Deerfly; B. M. Drees, et al.; 1999
• Ask the Exterminator; Horsefly; Rick Steinau
• The Dirt Doctor; Horse and Deer Flies; William F. Lyon