The stable flies, gnats, deerflies, and horse flies are almost unbearable this year. I have not had luck with fly predators or feed through fly control and am considering the insecticide route to at least keep the flying insects away from the barn so the horses get some relief.
Has anyone tried the individual dispensers that operate off of batteries?
Yes. Love them.
I ordered one last week off Amazon Prime… was supposed to have free 2 day shipping, although here we are a week later and it still hasn’t shipped…
I’ll let you know what I think if it ever arrives!
I used to use them. They work great. I don’t have much of a fly problem anymore though.
We have used them in NJ - and they help a lot
they do not completely get rid of flies - but make a difference
a few years ago we discovered that the (I think) GLADE air freshened dispenser from the supermarket for less than $10 is really the same thing and fit the cans
we went thru about a can a month and probably ( don’t remember) changed the batteries that often too
Yes they work. If you install them in a run-in shed, be sure you get them up much higher than you think necessary. We have had some rather nosey horses have good fun in knocking them down and then stepping on them.
Yep, I use 'em too, discovered 'em last year on the recommendation of a friend.
ETA – I have only a run - in so I put it in there. Batteries last me all summer.
yes, I’ve used mine for 2 years. I take it down in Nov, put back up in April or so. The batteries usually last several months and I change out the fly/mostquito spray monthly. My fellow boarders noticed how my horses’s stall was fly free, so they ordered them as well.
I also hang dark screening down the open windows and stall opening which makes the stall completely shady, cooler, and flys prefer light areas. I also have a big fan. We need all of this as I am in South Fla.
Thanks for the feedback everyone! I am definitely going to try them out. Drive NJ, thanks for the tip on the air freshener dispenser. I am going to look into those first.
I have them in my 3 stall barn. Last year, they were a godsend and almost completely got rid of my gnats. This year, not so much. I still have gnats, but where I used to be able to HEAR the gnats, I can only see them in certain areas.
Last year I was able to use 2 for the barn, this year I upped it to three and may go to 4 shortly.
I also still have flies, but the flies don’t seem to fly. They just seem to stay on the walls…
Does anyone use rechargable DD batteries? I hate throwing out 6 batteries every month or so.
[QUOTE=Raleigh’s Mom;7629019]
http://www.jefferspet.com/country-vet-flying-insect-control/camid/EQU/cp/13075/cn/22558/[/QUOTE]
on that link is Pyranha SprayMaster Kit post off to the side… When did that kit become $1199??? We bought that kit back in 1992 for $499
I have them. My batteries last a whole season. The canisters last 30 days. Like someone else said, I am certainly not fly free, but it is so much better with them than without.
ETA: You can frequently get them for 20% off through State Line Tack.
OK - the testimonials here have convinced me I need these for my stalls :yes:
East-facing means sun shines in all afternoon & draws the flies.
As horses’ pasture has no shade, I like them to be able to come in if they want & NOT be aggravated by flies.
May even splurge & get one for the aisleway if I can decide where to hang it so napping barncat does not get sprayed 
2Dogs, I have one in each stall and aisleway. I believe the instructions say they are good for 600 sq. ft. of space, but I figure a barn is not a “normal” space.
I use them too and they definitely make a difference. Like another poster mentioned, you can use any of the generic air freshener dispensers instead and just buy the cans of fly spray. In my experience, the fly spray is not kind to the dispensers over time (maybe a bit caustic?) and typically a dispenser only lasts me one season before something gives out, but buying the air freshener dispensers is a pretty inexpensive option.
To those who use these in stalls, don’t you worry about the insecticide getting in the water or hay? Or in the horses eyes? Or on you? One of my old boarding barns had one of those automatic fly mister systems, and whenever it went off I’d feel like, dang, I’ve got enough cancer, I gotta hold my breath and flee for cover.
That has been my thought too. I’d rather have a vigorous fan a-fanning flies away than constant insecticide spritzing.
I realize that pyrethrins are considered to be less noxious than some other insecticides because they are derived from chrysanthemums.
But here’s some stuff from the EPA:
Toxic Effects
The critical toxicological effects of pyrethrins are (1) neurobehavioral effects (tremors, labored breathing, hyperactivity, secretory signs, matted coats), following acute, short-term, and chronic exposure, with nervous system lesions observed in the rat and mouse following acute exposure; (2) thyroid effects, following chronic exposure in the rat and dog; and (3) liver effects, following short- and long-term exposure in the rat, dog, and mouse.
Following inhalation exposure, neurobehavioral effects were observed initially, and respiratory tract lesions were observed at all dose levels. The neurobehavioral effects and the mode of action on the sodium channel are considered relevant to humans because the effects are observed in both the rat and mouse, and the mode of action affects a basic function of the nervous system that is common to all animals.
Lots more here:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/reregistration/REDs/pyrethrins_red.pdf
Mine FINALLY arrived. I’m about to go hang it in my barn.
The instructions do recommend you hang it 7 ft high and at least 12 feet from any exposed food.
Oh - thanks for the tips regarding the glade dispensers. Tractor Supply sells the canisters around here - but to get the dispenser you have to buy a “kit” that includes an air freshener which I do not need!!
The flies have been HORRIBLE this year for us. Asked my boarding barn about fly predators - but they said being as all manure is hauled away weekly (plus adjacent horse farms) they wouldn’t help.
Do these things work with OPEN structures at all (similar to this)? That is what has held me back from buying one - my horse’s stall is a “mare motel” type, totally open front and back, with a high roof (and two solid sides).
I’ve used them for more than 30 years (started with the predecessor to County Vet). One can lasts 30 days (and I can always tell the moment one runs out). I used Duracell or Eveready batteries and they last me at least two YEARS in each sprayer. Yes, I said years. I put one in each stall, one in the aisle, and one in the feedroom (my barn is small 3 stall).
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