i have a fly mask (with ears) on him during the day but tonight i took it off him and was hanging out, then went back to check on him and there were tons of gnats in his ears. what can i do during the time the fly mask isnt on? i dont want to leave the fly mask on 24/7
Spray some WD40 on a rag and wipe the ears inside with it.
You could try a roll on fly spray, like Farnam's Endure Roll-On, Farnam's Roll-On, War Paint, or Farnam's Repel-X Lotion. I use the roll on over the lotion because it's easier and less messy.
WD40 does work, believe it or not, so I would suggest what the first person posted.
Just rub some WD40 on a rag and rub it on his ears.
EDIT:
WD40 does work, I use it on my horses all the time and it doesn't hurt them at all.
It's SAFE.
Just rub some WD40 on a rag and rub it on his ears.
EDIT:
WD40 does work, I use it on my horses all the time and it doesn't hurt them at all.
It's SAFE.
26 years+ owning and riding horses.
Listerine worked good with my mare that would be eaten alive by gnats, but any type of fly spray or wipe on would be sufficient if you were not comfortable with listerine.
Rita
Although WD40 kills everything, it isn't something I would use for direct contact on my horses skin. If you do use WD40, just be careful it doesn't get down into the ear and it doesn't build up on the hair in the ear and cause irritation by the chemicals that it has in it.
**I misread ron sr's answer and if you were to just spray it on a rag, then that should be sufficient and make sure it isn't an irritant to your horse as some are sensitive skinned and you should be fine. *my mare was extremely sensitive.
Rita
Although WD40 kills everything, it isn't something I would use for direct contact on my horses skin. If you do use WD40, just be careful it doesn't get down into the ear and it doesn't build up on the hair in the ear and cause irritation by the chemicals that it has in it.
**I misread ron sr's answer and if you were to just spray it on a rag, then that should be sufficient and make sure it isn't an irritant to your horse as some are sensitive skinned and you should be fine. *my mare was extremely sensitive.
wd40
I agree with the whole WD40, but i have 4horses that are always eatin alive in summer by gnats! I have tried fly sprays and did remodies but......I have found what works the best is a good ole bath and using cowboy magic shampoo i know this sounds weird but i tried it one year an have done it every year since it works like a charm! Everyone may not agree with me but it works for me and thats my opinion! Good luck wiht the gnats!!
Gnats aren't always really repelled by a lot of repellants, but they also have a couple weaknesses that might help you.
1) Gnats have particular times of day when they are active and feed. Usually dawn and dusk.
2) Gnats are weak fliers. I had to keep one of my horses stalled, with a fan, because she was VERY sensitive to gnat bites.
3) Gnats can't stick to oily surfaces, and their little biting parts are VERY short and can't get through an oily or greasy barrier.
I've notices with the species we have here, most of my fly screen was actually too big, and gnats could get though. This included a fancy fly-sheet I bought.
Anyway, I hope these ideas help you!
1) Gnats have particular times of day when they are active and feed. Usually dawn and dusk.
2) Gnats are weak fliers. I had to keep one of my horses stalled, with a fan, because she was VERY sensitive to gnat bites.
3) Gnats can't stick to oily surfaces, and their little biting parts are VERY short and can't get through an oily or greasy barrier.
I've notices with the species we have here, most of my fly screen was actually too big, and gnats could get though. This included a fancy fly-sheet I bought.
Anyway, I hope these ideas help you!
We use udder balm in the inside of our horse's ears. It soothes the bites and prevents new ones by forming a barrier that they cannot bite through. This also works great on their "under areas" where they also tend to get lots of gnats and ticks. The horse's actually love it and when we put it on, they get that dreamy look and their lips start to quiver, lol.
20 years horse ownership