Prevent Flies & Ticks with Horse Insect Control Supplements
Flies, ticks, and other biting insects aren’t just an irritation — they can affect your horse’s comfort, health, and even performance. Our collection of insect control supplements offers complete protection, from feed-through fly control that disrupts the breeding cycle to natural repellents and targeted tick prevention. With trusted, vet-recommended formulas, you can keep your horse comfortable and focused while reducing the stress and risk caused by biting pests.
Insect control isn’t just about comfort; it’s about safeguarding long-term health. Flies can transmit harmful diseases and cause painful bite wounds, while ticks may spread serious illnesses like Lyme disease. Feed-through supplements stop flies at the source by preventing larvae from maturing in manure, cutting down populations around the barn. Paired with repellents and tick-targeting formulas, these supplements provide year-round protection, ensuring your horse stays healthy, safe, and stress-free.
What Types of Horse Insect Control Supplements are Available
- Feed Through Fly Control Supplements: Products containing IGRs like diflubenzuron or cyromazine that prevent fly larvae from developing in treated manure. SimpliFly and other equine feed through fly control products offer up to 95% efficacy in breaking fly reproduction cycles.
- Insect Defense Supplements: Natural fly deterrent formulas containing garlic, apple cider vinegar, and brewer's yeast that make horses less appealing to biting insects when absorbed into their system.
- Topical Tick Repellent Products: Pyrethrin-based sprays and spot-on treatments like Equi-Spot that provide up to 14 days of protection against ticks, flies, gnats, and mosquitoes that may transmit serious diseases.
- Natural Essential Oil Formulas: Plant-based insect repellents featuring citronella, eucalyptus, geranium, and other essential oils that naturally deter insects without synthetic chemicals.
- Environmental Control Supplements: Diatomaceous earth and other natural products that help control insect populations in manure and surrounding areas.
- Combination Products: Multi-purpose formulas that combine IGR technology with nutritional benefits, like High Octane Fly Control that provides both fly control and essential nutrients.
Hero Active Ingredients in Insect Control Supplements
- Diflubenzuron: The most common IGR ingredient that prevents chitin formation in fly larvae, causing them to die during molting. EPA-approved as a reduced-risk pesticide that's safe for horses while effectively controlling fly populations.
- Cyromazine: Another chitin synthesis inhibitor that works similarly to diflubenzuron, preventing proper development of fly larvae in treated manure.
- Garlic Extract: Natural sulfur compounds in garlic create an odor through the horse's skin that helps repel biting insects for up to 24 hours after consumption.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Acidic properties help alter the horse's scent profile, making them less attractive to flies while providing additional digestive benefits.
- Essential Oil Blends: Citronella, eucalyptus, geranium, peppermint, and cedar oils provide natural insect-repelling properties when applied topically or absorbed systemically.
- Pyrethrin Compounds: Synthetic pyrethroids like permethrin and cypermethrin provide immediate knockdown and residual protection against ticks and flying insects.
Benefits of Premium Horse Insect Control Supplements
- Population Reduction: Feed-through fly control products can reduce new fly populations by up to 95% when used consistently across all horses on a property.
- Disease Prevention: Tick repellent products help prevent transmission of serious diseases, including Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
- Long-lasting Protection: Spot-on treatments provide up to 14 days of continuous protection that won't wash off with rain or sweat, ideal for pastured horses.
- Stress Reduction: Effective insect control reduces stress, allowing horses to graze peacefully, perform better, and maintain healthier body condition.
- Natural Safety: Plant-based formulas provide effective protection without synthetic chemicals, reducing the risk of skin sensitivity or environmental impact.
- Comprehensive Coverage: Multi-target products protect against flies, gnats, mosquitoes, ticks, and biting midges in a single application.
When to Use Horse Insect Control Supplements
- Early Season Prevention: Start feed through fly control 2-4 weeks before fly season begins (when temperatures consistently reach 60°F) for maximum population control.
- High-Risk Areas: Use tick repellent products before riding in wooded areas, tall grass, or regions known for tick-borne diseases.
- Pasture Management: Implement comprehensive insect control for horses spending significant time outdoors, especially during peak fly season.
- Show and Competition: Apply long-lasting protection before events to ensure horses remain comfortable and focused during performance.
- Disease Outbreak Areas: Increase insect control measures in regions experiencing Pigeon Fever, West Nile Virus, or other insect-transmitted diseases.
- Sensitive Horses: Use natural repellent formulas for horses with skin sensitivities or allergies to synthetic chemicals.
Application Methods and Best Practices
- Feed Through Products: Mix IGR supplements with daily grain ration, ensuring each horse receives the full recommended dose based on body weight.
- Topical Applications: Apply spot-on treatments to specific areas where ticks commonly attach: neck crest, behind ears, chest, belly, and cannon bones.
- Environmental Integration: Combine feed-through control with manure management, fly traps, and environmental modifications for comprehensive fly reduction.
- Systematic Coverage: Treat all horses on the property simultaneously to prevent untreated animals from serving as breeding sources for insects.
- Seasonal Consistency: Continue supplement programs throughout entire insect season until cold weather restricts fly activity.
Natural vs. Chemical Insect Control Options
- Natural Essential Oil Formulas: Plant-based repellents using eucalyptus, citronella, geranium, and peppermint oils provide effective, eco-friendly protection without synthetic chemicals.
- Chemical IGR Products: Synthetic insect growth regulators offer proven, long-lasting fly population control with minimal environmental impact when used as directed.
- Combination Approaches: Many horse owners successfully combine natural topical repellents with chemical feed-through products for comprehensive protection.
- Safety Considerations: Always follow label directions and avoid products containing organophosphates or amitraz, which can be toxic to horses.
Why Shop Horse Insect Control from HardyPaw?
- NABP-Authenticated Quality: As an authenticated pet pharmacy, we ensure access to FDA-approved insect control supplements and eliminate counterfeit product risks for your horse's safety and protection needs.
- Trusted Brand Partners: We stock premium insect control products from industry leaders like Durvet, Redmond Minerals, Zoetis, and AniMed, which are known for their research-backed, effective formulations.
- Expert Product Curation: Our team selects only the most effective fly and tick control supplements based on scientific research, veterinary recommendations, and proven field results.
- Comprehensive Protection Solutions: From feed through fly control to natural tick repellents, we carry complete insect protection solutions for every horse's needs and environment.
- Professional Pharmacy Support: Our licensed pharmacists and knowledgeable team help you select the right insect control supplements for your horse's specific exposure risks and protection requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do feed-through fly control supplements work?
IGR supplements pass through your horse unchanged into the manure, where they prevent fly larvae from developing into adults, breaking the fly life cycle and reducing populations by up to 95%.
Are natural fly repellents as effective as chemical products?
Natural essential oil formulas provide effective short-term protection but typically require more frequent reapplication than synthetic pyrethrin-based products that offer longer-lasting residual effects.
What's the safest tick prevention method for horses?
Permethrin-based spot-on treatments like Equi-Spot are considered safest and most effective, providing up to 14 days of protection when applied to key attachment sites.
Can I use dog tick products on my horse?
Frontline spray is sometimes used off-label for horses, but products containing amitraz should never be used on horses as they can cause toxic reactions.
When should I start using fly control supplements?
Begin feed through fly control 2-4 weeks before fly season when temperatures consistently reach 60°F to establish protection before fly populations emerge.
Do insect control supplements have any side effects?
IGR supplements are designed to pass through horses unchanged with no adverse effects, while natural garlic-based products are generally well-tolerated by most horses.
How long do topical tick repellents last?
Spot-on treatments provide up to 14 days of protection that resists washing off from rain or sweat, while spray applications typically last 1-3 weeks, depending on environmental conditions.
