Battle of the Pests: Mosquitoes vs. Flies

Both of these winged pests can bug you and your horse, understand their differences, and the risks that they pose.

This article is part of our Fight the Flies Awareness Campaign, brought to you by UltraShield.

Mosquitoes and flies are a common nuisance for horses and owners alike. The painful bites, itchy bumps, and potential allergic reactions are problem enough. Add in the dangerous diseases that these winged pests can carry and spread, and the risks are compounded.

So, which one is worse? That could depend on where you live, and what your control methods are for these small but mighty irritants. Mosquitoes carry diseases that can turn into a real nightmare for horse owners, and even be fatal.

[READ: THE DANGERS OF MOSQUITOS]

Flies are a common fixture of many barns, and pose different threats to horses. They can also carry disease, and are enough of an irritant to cause horses to stomp and kick, often causing loose shoes or leg injury.

[READ: TYPES OF FLIES YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT]

Check out this handy graphic to get a few fast facts about each pest, and the threats they can pose to your horse.

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