Flies In Florida in February?

[Lord_Helpus]

I have a horse who can get terrible sweet itch in the summer. It can easily get out of control of I do not stay on top of it all summer.

Through trial and error I have come up with a program that works, but I have never taken a horse with sweet itch to Fla (WPB) in the winter.

Is there a fly problem in the winter? Specifically, the little midges call Culicoides which live in stagnant water (thinking of the canals).

Hopefully I will not have to send him with all his special gear and sprays; but if he needs them, I will pack them.

[lovemyboy]

No! Winter in Wellington is total relief from my super sensitive chestnut. And this is one loses almost all of his hair on face in summer, desperate to rub his mane out and just all over uncomfortable…despite multiple interventions from vet, phenomenal groom and major TLC

[lovemyboy]

I am unable to edit the above post as my computer is desperately trying to die on me but should read:

*total relief FOR my super sensitive Chestnut

[lovemyboy]

I am unable to edit the above post as my computer is desperately trying to die on me but should read:

*total relief FOR my super sensitive Chestnut

[NoSuchPerson]

I don’t know specifically about Culicoides, but yes, we do have flies all winter. Gnats are especially bothersome.

[FLeventer]

I’m a bit north of Orlando area but live in Lake county where it is a bit swampy in places so small flies. I have one who gets horrible sweet itch. He is good from October to April. I have his fly sheet on him when its too warm for his turnout sheet or blanket but no flare ups.

[kmwines01]

The little midges aren’t bad but summer sores are awful down there. There are so many horses in such a small area the regular flies are in abundance. Be very vigilant with fly prevention and cover up any scrapes or wounds because they will become summer sores.

[EverQuest]

My first winter down here with horses but the flies have been so horrible I just shelled out the cash to install a fly spray system in my barn. The guy who did it said this is the worst fly season he’s ever seen and he’s lived here for 25 years. So definitely bring fly gear. I do have the small gnats and mosquitos as well but the flies are the worst part as of now.
And second the summer sore issue, dealing with two on my guy right now and that was with immediate clipping, cleaning, covering the tiny nicks they started as so if you have a sensitive creature keeping them covered as much as possible is a good idea (sheets, etc).

[CFFarm]

Welcome to the jungle…

[Beethoven]

I’d bring everything related to fly gear for FL in Feb as you never know!

[M_O_Connor]

Florida is famous for numerous equine skin conditions that develop while horses are wintering there, particularly scratches on legs and hives on bodies, the further south you are the worse it is. Bring everything that works on your horse, and cross fingers nothing flares up on your arrival.

[Asand]

Fly spray and fly sheet if he is sensitive and will you be at barn with a fly system. It’s very manageable. Swat is a big help too.

[BLBSTBLS]

Pack His FLY GEAR!!!

[ybiaw]

Flies don’t die here. Meaning, it rarely gets cold enough to kill them off completely. Mosquitos too. And it’s also been very warm this fall, and we are expecting it to get very wet this winter. Pack your fly gear.

[Andrew]

Fly’s in Florida is like asking if there’s Gator’s in the lakes and canals!!

[ybiaw]

[QUOTE=Andrew;8989872]
Fly’s in Florida is like asking if there’s Gator’s in the lakes and canals!![/QUOTE]

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Beethoven]

OMG ANDREW, Hilarious! Can I use that as my signature or maybe I’ll tattoo it on my head for all my clients to read!

[LucilleBluth]

Pack your fly gear! I’m in Jacksonville and the flies are terrible around us right now. Haven’t seen any Culicoides though.

[mmeqcenter]

Just moved here in November from Ohio; I’m in Ocala and the flies aren’t bad, but they are present. I am fly spraying every couple of days and putting fly masks on on the warmest/sunniest days.

[CatchMeIfUCan]

I was just in the permanent barns at PBIEC yesterday, and the flies were just awful. If you plan on showing there, definitely pack fly gear.