Comments on: How to Get Rid of Fly Eggs on Horses

on 8/28/2008 I use Avon skin so soft dry oil spray on my horse making sure that the lower leg is well sprayed. This year I have only had 2 bot eggs on my horse yet the horse in the next field is covered but does not get sprayed. I can only think that the fine misting of oil on the hair makes is more dificult for the eggs to attach. Worth a go at only £2.50 for a 250ml bottle.

on 7/31/2008 A recent observation by a rider using "ByeBye DeerFly" - thedeerfly.com -an essential oil deer fly repellent, she noted the bot flies seemed to be reduced in number and very few eggs. Anyone else tried this?
As a deer fly repellent, it had on the package, "In terms of biting, the product performed extremely well. Circling behavior was also reduced."

on 11/2/2007 I always use a safety razor, the same kind you would use to shave your own legs with. Gently shave down, and the bot eggs come right off. A very safe method especially for horses who can't be trusted to stand still while you weld a bot knife!

on 1/25/2006 Apply a small amount of nail polish remover. When it drys, use a bot knife and scrap the eggs off. Then take some petroleum jelly and wipe it over the area.

on 11/22/2005 When using a bot knife be sure that it does not become rusty! That way if the horse suddenly moves and gets cut there is less chance of infection.

on 11/22/2005 Any kind of nail polish works well. Just dab it over the eggs, and forget it! They will drop off or they can be easily rubbed off, until then they're as harmless as a grain of sand.

on 11/22/2005 Use kerosene. Apply it and wipe the eggs off. I would consider a bath afterword. I've been told this by several different people, from trainers to old cowboy types.

on 11/22/2005 Get a cheap shaver and shave the bot eggs off (following the way the hair grows). The bots will come off easily. Don't shave upward! Otherwise, you will get bald patches on your horse!

on 11/22/2005 This is a tip on how to remove bot eggs from your horse's coat FOREVER. This is only effective for horses who are stalled. After your horse has been stalled for the night, tape a few long sheets of plastic wrap along the cracks of the stall door (only for stalls that have one door on top and one on bottom) and 'paint' them with honey. The bot flies will be attracted to the honey and fly straight into it. WHAM! Dead bot flies. Dead bot flies mean no bot eggs!

on 11/22/2005 Keeping manure out of the pasture will help prevent eggs. Don't use a bot knife on a nervous or skiddish horse, they might jump and hurt you or/and themselves.
Christine