Where to place HorsePal fly trap?

Those of you with HorsePal fly traps–how did you decide where to place it? Apparently the flies it catches like it near water. Is a 100-gal watering trough enough water to count as a fly inducement? The other logical place is near the run-in shelter where the horses spend a lot of time. The distance from the run-in to the watering trough is a few hundred feet. .

Any other tips on placement? I understand that it’s pretty easy to move around, but would like to start in the best place, at least on paper.

I had a home-made version similar to this.

We placed it near the natural water source that happens to be near my turn out and the horses.

I have three. Placed one at each end of the barn about 25 ft. from the barn in spots that are sunny all day. And put the 3rd one a couple hundred feet from the barn near my pond.

All of them are catching the same amount of horseflies, at least 6-7 a day – pond doesn’t seem to make a difference.

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Thanks. The first place I’ll try is across the fence from the run-in which is where the horses congregate. Sunny, no water nearby but perhaps it won’t matter.

@cardinale how is your fly trap working out?

Since it fits in with this thread (and I ordered it because of the discussion in this thread), I want to post a review of the fly cage trap. (Which is a different brand than the OP was talking about.)

We owned a home built box biting fly trap for lots of years that served us well but had started to fall apart. Mr. Trub decided it would be easier to buy this fly cage trap than to rebuild our unit.

The fly cage trap is basically a mini pop-up tent with well placed netting and a hanging ball.
It is easy to assemble (there is a video on their website, there were no written instructions in the box and nothing in the box to tell you to go to the website). Light to move about once assembled (something our home made box was not). Easy to stake down and has stood for some pretty nasty winds.

We put it out by the pasture fence. Not near any official bodies of water, just between the pasture and the barn.

We had our first resident with in minutes. It has caught so many biting flies. I am very happy with it so far.

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I just received one yesterday and excited to get home from work and see results. Mine is in an unused turnout (thanks to too much clover - cussing…) and 50 feet from the barn - out where there is a good breeze most of the time.

I’ll post results later!

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I have a homemade trap very similar to the Fly Cage and I put it in the grass near the path between the barn and field, which is near the lowest spot on the property where there’s sometimes running water after rain. If I move it 100 feet to the other side of the lowest spot, it doesn’t catch nearly as many flies. I’m not sure what the difference is other than possibly more shade near the second site. So, my advice would be that if at first it doesn’t work, just try moving it around a bit.

Day 1: So satisfying…I’ve got at least 30 greenhead horsefliesDay 1. :sunglasses:

Started mine 50 ft or so from my barn out where there should be a good breeze most days. Not much wind today but still got a good catch. LOVE this purchase. Money.well.spent.

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