Flies, mosquitoes, and other flying insects can become a major cause of irritation for horses. But aside from simply being a nuisance, some biting insects can also transmit diseases that may put your horse's health at risk.
If flies and other winged pests have become an issue on your ranch, then it's time to look for the best horse fly traps. Not sure which ones work best? Here's a list of our most vetted choices.
Before choosing a trap, make sure it targets the flies bothering your horses. Horse flies and deer flies, biting stable flies, and non-biting house flies need different approaches. The choices below include traps for these different pests, plus a sticky coating for setting up or refreshing an adhesive trap.
The 6 Best Horse Fly Trap Choices
| Choice | Intended target or role | Type | Main consideration | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bug Ball Odorless Fly Trap | Horse flies, deer flies and related biting flies | Black target with sticky coating | This three-ball replacement kit needs coating purchased separately | Check price |
| RESCUE Deck & Patio Fly TrapStik | Manufacturer lists biting and nuisance flies | Ready-made visual adhesive trap | Outdoor use; position away from animals and bird activity | Check price |
| Starbar Captivator Fly Trap | House flies and other filth-breeding flies | Reusable baited jug | Requires emptying, cleaning and fresh attractant | Check price |
| Bug Ball Catch EM Sticky Coating | Adhesive for Bug Balls and suitable DIY traps | 10 oz aerosol coating | A trap component; needs a suitable target or trap surface | Check price |
| RESCUE Big Bag Fly Trap | House flies and other non-biting nuisance flies | Disposable baited bag | Strong smell; outdoor use only | Check price |
| Starbar Bite Free Stable Fly Trap | Biting stable flies | Translucent adhesive trap | Needs sunlight and placement out of animals' reach | Check price |
The Bug Ball Odorless Fly Trap is a large black ball that you can hang from a tree or a post to catch horse flies, deer flies and related biting flies. It uses Catch EM Sticky Coating, which you purchase separately and apply over the ball's surface to catch flies when they land.
The linked replacement kit contains three balls and inflation needles; it does not include the sticky coating. Follow the Bug Ball setup instructions for placement: hang the balls approximately four to five feet above the ground, in sun next to shade. Keep the coated surfaces out of your horses' reach.
Pros
- Reusable balls.
- No scented food bait.
- Designed for horse flies and related biting flies.
Cons
- Coating costs extra.
- Requires hanging space and periodic recoating.
If you'd prefer a ready-made sticky trap without a smelly bait, the RESCUE Deck & Patio Fly TrapStik uses a colorful visual lure and an adhesive surface. RESCUE lists horse flies, stable flies, deer flies and common nuisance flies among its targets. The linked listing contains three traps.
This is the outdoor Deck & Patio version. Hang it near fly activity, outside your horses' reach and away from places where birds gather. Fit the supplied glue guards as directed; they help reduce accidental contact with the sticky surface.
Pros
- No bait mixing or strong smell.
- Supplied glue guards.
- Ready-made alternative to applying a coating yourself.
Cons
- Needs replacing when covered with flies or debris.
- Exposed adhesive requires careful placement.
Fashioned as a large transparent jug, the Starbar Captivator Fly Trap uses a water-activated attractant to catch house flies, blow flies and other filth-breeding flies around the farm. It is not a purpose-built horse-fly trap.
Reusable and cost-effective, the two-quart jug comes with a 30-gram attractant pouch. Add water to the fill line and use it outdoors where the smell won't become a nuisance. The Captivator instructions explain when to top up the water, empty the trap and add replacement attractant.
Pros
- Reusable jug.
- Initial attractant included.
- Useful for nuisance flies around the farm.
Cons
- Unpleasant emptying and cleaning.
- Requires replacement attractant.
- Does not address every kind of biting fly.
Contained in a 10-ounce aerosol can, Catch EM Sticky Coating is the adhesive used with Bug Balls. It can refresh an existing sticky trap or help create a suitable DIY trap. It catches adult insects that touch the coated surface; it is not food bait or a treatment for fly eggs.
The coating is sold separately from the balls in review 1. Follow the application directions and use a trap surface designed to attract the flies you're targeting. A sticky surface alone does not make every object an effective horse-fly trap.
Pros
- Compatible with Bug Balls.
- Can refresh reusable trap surfaces.
- Pesticide-free adhesive coating.
Cons
- Requires a separate trap or suitable surface.
- Application and maintenance take more work than a ready-made trap.
Capable of holding up to 40,000 flies per bag according to RESCUE, the Big Bag Fly Trap targets house flies, blow flies and other non-biting nuisance flies. It does not catch biting horse flies or stable flies. The linked listing contains two traps.
Inside the bag is a water-activated attractant. Add water and hang the bag outdoors, at least 20 feet away from living or gathering areas. The bait has a strong smell, so placement matters. Once the disposable trap is full, close and dispose of it according to its directions rather than emptying and reusing the bag.
Pros
- Attractant included.
- Large stated capacity.
- No reusable jug to clean.
Cons
- Strong smell.
- Disposable, so replacements are an ongoing cost.
- Not a solution for biting flies.
If biting stable flies are pestering your horses, this Starbar trap is designed specifically for that problem. Sunlight shining through its translucent surface attracts the flies, which become stuck to the adhesive.
The Starbar placement guidance recommends direct sunlight and a position approximately three to four feet above the ground, clear of vegetation. Place it outside pens and paddocks where horses and children won't disturb it. Replace the trap when its catching surface is covered.
Pros
- Designed for biting stable flies.
- No pungent attractant.
- Insecticide-free adhesive.
Cons
- Depends on suitable sunlight and placement.
- Requires replacement when the surface fills up.
Different Types of Horse Fly Traps
There's more than one way to skin a cat, or in this case, to catch horse flies. Manufacturers offer a variety of fly traps that work in different ways. The main factors affecting your choice are the species you're trying to catch and where you'll place the trap.
Fly traps can be compared by two features: the method used to attract the pests, and the method used to capture them.
Attraction Mechanism
Visual
Research has found that some colors may attract flies better than others. University of Florida researchers found that house flies were more attracted to blue than yellow. That doesn't mean blue is the best color for every fly species. Purpose-built horse-fly traps may use a dark ball, while other traps use patterns or translucent surfaces.
Odor
Some traps use a scent to attract flies into the system. Food-based attractants are commonly used for house flies and other filth-breeding flies. Some formulas also include a mating attractant. These products shouldn't be assumed to catch biting horse flies or stable flies; check the target species on the trap's label.
Capture Mechanism
Adhesive
A common capture mechanism is adhesive. The trap's color, shape or lure attracts flies, and the sticky surface catches them on contact. As flies and debris cover the surface, less usable adhesive remains, so the trap needs replacing or recoating according to its directions.
Container
Container traps hold flies in an enclosed space and use a design that prevents them from escaping. Some drown the flies in water. Reusable container traps can cost less down the line, but the unpleasant task of emptying them deters some buyers. Capacity and maintenance depend on the individual trap.
How to Choose a Fly Trap for Horses
Feeling overwhelmed with so many choices? You would think that choosing a horse fly trap shouldn't cause too much confusion. But the sheer number of options can make anyone double think their pick.
So to help you narrow down the choices and find a horse fly trap that will truly work on your ranch, here's a quick list of things you should consider.
Bait
Considering your horses' surroundings may help you choose the right kind of fly trap. Scented traps for nuisance flies can produce foul smells that overwhelm an enclosed space. Use outdoor-labelled baited traps outdoors, away from areas where people and horses gather, and follow the product's placement directions.
An odor-free trap isn't automatically suitable for a stall. Some visual traps need sunlight to work well. Choose a trap labelled for indoor use if you need to catch flies inside a building.
Container vs Adhesive
Some container traps hold large numbers of flies, but they still need regular checks. Water may evaporate, bait may need refreshing, and the trap can fill sooner than expected during a heavy fly problem.
Other traps use an adhesive coating that causes flies to stick upon contact. Unlike a container, an adhesive trap only works while enough of its catching surface remains exposed.
As more pests stick to the trap, the usable surface becomes smaller and smaller. Disposable adhesive traps need replacing when covered. Reusable targets, such as Bug Balls, can be cleaned and recoated according to their instructions.
With reusable container traps, there's the unpleasant job of emptying and cleaning them. Follow the manufacturer's directions for handling and disposal, and avoid releasing live flies. Disposable bags should be closed and discarded as directed, rather than emptied for reuse.
Duration of Use
How keen are you on cleaning and resetting the bait of a horse fly trap? Depending on the amount of time and effort you're willing to put into the process, you may have to consider how long these traps last.
There isn't one lifespan for every adhesive trap. Heavy fly activity, dust and debris can cover the surface quickly. Check it regularly and replace or recoat it when the catching surface is no longer usable, following the product's directions.
Suggested Read: The Best Horse Stall Fans
A reusable container may last through repeated cycles of cleaning and rebaiting, but that doesn't mean its attractant lasts as long as the jug. Allow for replacement bait and time spent cleaning. A disposable container, such as the RESCUE Big Bag, needs replacing rather than resetting.
Toxic Materials
Some fly traps use bright colors to catch the attention of pests. Others use dark targets. Either design may interest a curious horse, so think about where you can install the trap safely.
It's not impossible for a horse to explore its surroundings by nipping and nibbling at new installations around the ranch.
Related: Why do horses chew on wood?
Place traps and bait out of your animals' reach and follow the label directions. "Natural" or "pesticide-free" doesn't mean a product is suitable for a horse to eat or touch. Exposed adhesive also needs to be kept away from coats, manes and tails.
More Options to Keep the Flies at Bay
In addition to choosing a quality horse fly trap, here are more products that will help protect horses from flies:
Traps work best as part of a wider fly-control routine. Remove horse manure, wet bedding, spilled feed and rotting hay regularly to reduce breeding sites for house flies and stable flies.
Horse flies and deer flies often develop around wet ground and waterways, so cleaning the stable won't remove every source. Identifying the flies helps you decide which traps and protective measures will be useful.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best horse fly bait?
There isn't one bait that works for all the flies around horses. Use the recommended attractant for a baited house-fly trap. For biting horse flies and deer flies, purpose-built visual traps are a different option. Sweet drinks, vinegar and kitchen scraps shouldn't be relied on as bait for blood-seeking horse flies.
Stable flies are another biting species. Choose a trap specifically designed for them, rather than assuming a baited nuisance-fly trap will solve the problem.
Is there a trap for horse flies?
Yes. Dark-target traps such as Bug Balls are designed to catch horse flies and related biting flies. Horse flies and deer flies belong to the Tabanidae family; stable flies are a different group.
Check the species listed by the manufacturer. A trap intended for house flies is not automatically a horse-fly trap. The University of Kentucky's guide to horse flies and deer flies explains their habits and why control can be difficult.
What can I use for a horse fly trap?
A commercial trap designed for your target fly is the simplest starting point. Homemade bottle traps with sweet or fermenting bait may catch some nuisance flies, but they shouldn't be presented as a dependable solution for biting horse flies.
For an adhesive DIY trap, use a suitable target and a coating intended for insect traps, following the application directions. The target's design and placement matter as much as the glue.
Does a horse fly trap work?
A suitable trap can catch flies and help reduce local fly activity, but results depend on the species, placement and level of infestation. Catching flies doesn't guarantee that every bite or disease risk will be prevented.
But it takes more than just design to get one of these traps to work. Proper bait and placement play a big role in how effective your horse fly trap will be. Before setting up your trap, make sure you read up about the right kind of bait to use, and read the trap's instructions on proper placement and set-up.
Shoe Fly, Don't Bother Me
A horse fly control system can help make life more comfortable for your animals. So if your horses are suffering from painful biting or constant fly irritation, a suitable trap can be a useful addition to your routine.
The best horse fly traps can capture biting pests and various types of flies that could compromise your horses' health otherwise. Start by identifying the flies, then choose a trap designed to catch them. Combine it with regular cleaning and appropriate protection for your horses to get more from your fly-control efforts.
