Florida Rains Bring the Black Horse Fly
Well, as you have already noticed, the rains have been steady here in Florida as of late. These rains create the perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes as well as the Black Horse Fly. This fly thrives in moist conditions. Consequently, the more rain Florida gets, the more this fly breeds.
Like mosquitoes, the Black Horse Fly lays her eggs in wet conditions. Their larvae emerge and live there until they pupate and become the adult fly. The process of becoming an adult can take up to two years. The more rain we get and the longer areas stay wet, the more likely these insects are breeding.
Having the Black Horse Fly breed may not seem that big of a deal. That is until you learn that this horsefly feeds on the blood of horses and also on humans. When this bug bites, pain is inflicted, and bruises from such a large biting insect appear. The females are the ones that actually do the biting. The adult males are nectar-feeding only.
It is easy to recognize the Black Horsefly due to its large size and color. First of all, this fly is jet black. Second, the size of the fly is quite large; it can reach over an inch in length. Any bug over an inch that bites is a scary bug for sure.
How to Get Rid of Black Horse Flies
The first thing anyone should do to reduce the likelihood of the horse fly from nesting on their property is to make nesting inhospitable. Make sure water is not pooling anywhere on your land. If it is, work diligently to do all you can to correct such conditions. These conditions also include holes in trees, old pools, and retention areas.
Even if you have removed all conducive horsefly conditions on your property, you still may experience an influx of the Black Horse Fly. The main reason for this, neighboring properties could be a nesting site. Then, these insects fly to your property. When this occurs, it may be time to call an exterminator.
There is no shame in hiring a pest control company to eliminate and to help control pest infestations. A horse fly infestation is no exception to the rule. When hiring a company to control these flies, use one that has experience and the ability to control mosquitoes since the treatment is similar. Here at Earth’s Best Natural Pest Management, we have the experience to treat these bugs. If you live anywhere in the Central Florida area, give us a call at 1-800-634-1313. Or feel free to visit our website www.insectfree.com.
