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Post by knight1 on Oct 7, 2015 21:06:13 GMT -1
Oh my goodness, I think all the midges in the UK have taken an early winter holiday in south Louisiana this year! I can't really remember having them particularly before but they are here with a vengeance right now. Poor ponies, they only stay out in the pasture for an hour or two and they can't take any more and go stand in the barn to escape, somewhat. Even though they don't bit hard like a horsefly they sure are incredibly annoying. Mosquito spray helps some but I was wondering if there is anything you find really helpful in keeping the midges at bay. Knight says all suggestions gratefully received.
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Post by harveydales on Oct 8, 2015 6:25:14 GMT -1
You have my sympathies. On Tuesday I rode out with Sue and Eric along the sea front and I've never experienced midges as bad before. We were being eaten alive! Harvey was fine because I ride him in a full fly suit which I thoroughly recommend - Cashel fly armour. It really does work.
The midges aren't too bad in our field but I keep Harvey in a full snuggyhood suit which helps considerabley. At least you've got the barn for the ponies to escape the midges and it won't last for long - hopefully!
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Post by dalesnfellfan on Oct 8, 2015 7:21:35 GMT -1
I've noticed an unusual amount of midges around for the time of year as well, must be the warm weather we've been having.
I also ride in a cashel rug and keep ponies covered in the field with a fly sheet, though usually not still needed by now, the flies seem to have been worse this year perhaps due to the very mild winter we had last year.
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Post by zeldalithgow on Oct 8, 2015 7:44:07 GMT -1
The flies and midges have been awful this year, I'm sure we have got some new type here as the ones I saw/felt the other day were much bigger than the normal ones - in fact I could feel them bumping into my head. Nemm oil is quite good but you would need to dilute it don't think it would be a good plan to put it on neat with all your sun and heat you might fry the ponies  |
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Post by knight1 on Oct 8, 2015 11:19:16 GMT -1
I'm sorry you are having a bad time with them also. That Cashel fly armor really is good. But it's still so hot here I think Knight would sweat to death if I putt fly sheet on for turnout. Thanks Zelda for the Nemm oil idea. I have some but your right about frying ponies. I stupidly made that mistake couple of weeks ago by using an oil based fly spray (I ran out of water based). Very effective against flies but I ended up with the vet out to treat Knight's scurfy skin after. He's itching his face so much with the midges, maybe I can dilute the Nemm and cautiously try it on his face. Poor ponies, you know it's bad if it interrupts Knight's grazing.
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Post by harveydales on Oct 8, 2015 11:53:50 GMT -1
Oh poor Knight. It must be really bad for him to interrupt his grazing! Uncle Harvey sends his sympathies.
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Post by Debbie on Oct 8, 2015 13:01:09 GMT -1
I wish I could offer some advice, but I have none. We have midgies but I haven't found anything to stop them. Usually I keep the ponies inside until the sun comes up. Then they can go on the field and I try to bring them in before dusk. Dawn and dusk seem to be the worst times for the biters.
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Post by zeldalithgow on Oct 8, 2015 13:05:08 GMT -1
I mix neem oil with water(much more water than neem) and a small amount of dish washing detergent plus a few essential oils to make a spray you need to give it a good shake before you use it
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Post by nedales on Oct 10, 2015 0:09:50 GMT -1
I ditto Debbie--around 5 pm in late summer, the ponies are driven mad by midges. Nothing to do but bring them in and wait til dark.
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Post by valerie n scout on Oct 10, 2015 8:10:45 GMT -1
Hate em, hate em, hate em !!
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