How to Identify Horse & Deer Flies

Horse Fly Vs Deer Fly

The Horsefly vs Deer fly saga is one that continues to be discussed. Both insects are known for being bloodsuckers and can be quite a nuisance for humans and animals alike. Horseflies can measure between ¾ and 1 ¼ inch in length.  Their wings are solidly colored with eyes that have a bright color. In contrast, deer flies are smaller and you will notice that their wings have dark bands. Their eyes have a similarity with that of house flies. It can ruin your outdoor work as well as recreation if you experience an attack from these flights. Every year, the attacks usually vary.

A horsefly feeds intermittently and the same can be said for deer flies. Bites from these insects are very painful. They are known to play a key role in transmitting infections. 

Life cycle

You will mostly find the larvae of these insects developing in wetlands, mud, banks, etc. Some thrive in aquatic areas while some can develop in dry soil. The females usually lay eggs that number between 25 and 1000. Mostly, these eggs are laid on overwater vegetation most of the time. Once the hatched eggs are dropped on the ground, they begin to devour decaying organic matter as well as small organisms which exist in the soil as well as water. It takes between 1 and 3 years for the larvae stage to reach its end. This is mostly dependent on the species. Once the larvae attain maturity, they make their way to dry areas and begin the pupal stage before emerging as adults. 

Deer Flies  are also bloodsucking insects, and have large brightly-colored compound eyes and very large clear winds with dark bans.  But they are smaller than the horsefly. Both horseflies and deer flies are active during the day and both of their larvaes will develop in the mud along ponds, banks of streams and any excessively moist organic areas, such as seepage areas.

Read more about their life cycle

Keeping your animals safe

Horse flies as well as deer flies usually constitute a huge nuisance when it comes to swimming pool areas. it is mostly the water surface which has a shiny appearance or swimming movements which attracts them.

Horse fly sprays can be used when it comes to keeping these insects away from horses. The reason is that these insecticides irritate the flies, thereby, making the environment unfriendly for them. They take their leave as soon as they land. Most of the time, the horse fly spray does not act long enough to kill the insect which means that they will keep coming back. You will always find them swarming around animals as well as feed or in other areas where the horse fly spray did not reach. You may have to continue reapplying. do not forget to take a look at the label to get information concerning the intervals for retreatment. Horsefly spray is usually effective to an extent.

Horse fly vs deer fly may have differences, but there are more similarities. You will mostly find then in sunny areas as they take time to avoid entering banks or areas that have lots of shade. Ensuring that your horses stay safe by using horse fly control products during the day can help to keep them healthy. The animals can then carry out night grazing when these flies are inactive.