Following heavy rains throughout April and May in Kentucky, June’s high temperatures mark summer’s early arrival. And with the heat, haze, and humidity come bugs, including several types of flies, ticks, and stinging pests. Because many insects and their relatives are potential disease carriers, horse owners should know which ones are simply nuisances and which could be potentially dangerous to equine health.

"The general warming trend we are experiencing has a big impact on our insect populations," said Lee Townsend, PhD, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture entomologist. "Add moisture to the heat and you have the potential for greater problems, so it’s important to review some of the key pests to anticipate."

The Ubiquitous Fly

Flies are common pests whose persistent biting can make horses nervous, difficult to manage, and sometimes dangerous to work around when the horse stomps his feet, kicks, and swishes his tail to deter insects. Biting flies also can interfere with grazing, and animals can even injure themselves if they run to escape being bitten. Vigorous stamping is another fly-related issue, because the repetitive force can cause hoof cracks and contribute to loose and lost shoes