Barn Life Tips for a Bug Free Summer

Jul 3, 2025

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Bugs are here it is that time of year, yuck! Here are some very helpful tips to help you and your horses stay comfortable all summer long.

Every season, I hear from folks battling mosquitoes, flies, and ticks in the barn, garden, and pasture. Over the years, I’ve found a few easy tricks that make a big difference. If you’re tired of swatting bugs during barn chores or want to keep your horses happy and itch-free, these are the solutions I use myself, and they work!

My Go To Mosquito Shield

I put TerraShield on me whenever I’m out gardening or working on horses and, I swear, everything just leaves me alone—even though I’m usually the first person the mosquitos find in a big group! Seriously, this stuff works. A little goes a long way: I just spray once on my hand and rub it over my whole arm, then do the same for the other arm and each leg. No need to go overboard.

If you’re sharing, don’t just hand someone the bottle and let them go wild—one spray per limb really does the job. Bonus: it actually smells good. I’ve even had people stop me to ask what perfume I’m wearing, and I have to laugh and tell them, “It’s bug spray!” They never believe me.

I like that I can use it around horses and dogs, too, without worrying about harsh chemicals or weird reactions. I keep a bottle in my grooming bag and in the garden shed so I’m never caught off guard. If you’re tired of being the main course for bugs, this is my favorite solution by far.

Silent Bug Traps That Actually Work

Put one of these bug traps at each end of the house and barn. It’s amazing to watch the trap fill up with mosquitoes, flies, and all sorts of little pests, without any of that obnoxious zapping noise. The best part is, it works by attracting the bugs and pulling them into a basket with a quiet fan, so you can actually enjoy being outside or in the barn without being swarmed.

These traps help break up the mosquito breeding cycle, so you’re not just getting rid of the bugs you see, you’re preventing more from hatching. They’re built tough for both indoor and outdoor use, and they just keep going all season. I even tried one out in my garden this year to keep pests away from my veggies.

The catch basket pops out with the press of a button, so cleanup is quick and easy. And the LED bulb lasts way longer than regular ones, so you’re not always replacing parts. Each trap covers up to half an acre, which is perfect for most backyards, barns, or gardens. For the best results, just make sure you set them up about three to six feet off the ground and a little ways away from where you like to relax—about 20 to 40 feet—so the bugs go to the trap instead of you.

No more waving bugs away at the dinner table or when you’re out with the horses. I love how quietly and efficiently these bug traps do their job.

The Best Fly Mask Out There

You all know by now how much I love the EquiVizor fly masks. One thing I especially appreciate: the mask doesn’t crush their eyelashes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen other masks cause irritation, ingrown hairs, or even infections from rubbing those delicate eyelashes down. With the EquiVizor, no more worries about that.

EquiVizor masks also have the highest level of UV protection I’ve found, up to 95% for your horse’s eyes, which is a lifesaver for photosensitive horses or those who are prone to sunburn. They’re even helpful for horses that need a little extra protection on bright days.

The safety breakaway quick-release clips are an industry first, so if your horse gets caught, the mask will release safely. Plus, you don’t need to buy two separate masks, you can use this one right over the bridle for riding.

I’ve found that horses just accept wearing these much better than traditional masks, and once you’ve measured your horse and found the right fit, they’ll be comfortable and protected all summer long. I recommend using the sizing chart before you order to make sure it fits just right.

If you’ve struggled with fly masks before, give this one a try.

Natural Pest Control for Barn and Pasture

Diatomaceous earth is a must. I always use the food-grade kind, so if the chickens or dogs happen to eat any manure, there’s nothing to worry about. I also add a teaspoon right into wet horse feed every day, it helps keep those parasites away from the inside out.

For easy sprinkling, I grab an empty gallon container with a handle, like an old milk jug, and poke a few holes in it. This way I can do a little shake-shake dusting over the manure cart after every stall and on the manure I pick up, plus the wet urine spots. Any bugs that land on it or walk through it are gone within 24 hours. Layering it into the manure pile out back keeps fly larvae from hatching.

For big areas like pastures, I just put a couple pounds of diatomaceous earth in a kitchen garbage bag, poke some holes in the bottom, and walk around giving a quick shake over fresh manure piles and urine spots. If your neighbor’s flies keep visiting, try leaving your manure cart with diatomaceous earth right by the fence. It’ll attract them over and take care of them, too.

If you stick with this every day for two weeks, you’ll barely see any flies left on your horses.

Treating Ticks and Biting Flies

If your horse is out in the pasture where ticks and biting flies are a constant problem, I like to use a spot-on treatment for extra protection. My go-to is the Manna Pro Pro-Force 50 Spot-On. It’s easy to use, just apply a single dose along your horse’s back from head to tail, and you get about two weeks of coverage against flies and up to three weeks for ticks.

I’ve found it especially handy for horses that spend a lot of time in the tall grass or brush where ticks love to hide. Plus, it holds up well in the rain and with sweaty horses, so you don’t have to worry about reapplying all the time.

I always check for any skin sensitivities the first time, but overall, Pro-Force 50 is a fuss-free way to help keep your horse comfortable and bite-free during the worst of bug season.

Dealing with bugs and pests can feel never-ending, but a few simple habits make all the difference for you and your horses. With the right sprays, traps, masks, and a little daily effort, you really can keep those flies, ticks, and mosquitoes at bay. Naturally and without a lot of hassle.

If you have any questions about what’s working for me, or want help troubleshooting a pest problem at your barn, just send me an email at april@holistichorseworks.com. And if you want more quick tips and practical horse wisdom, check out my short, informative podcasts, Holistic Horseworks Talks.

Wishing you and your horses a happy, healthy, and bug-free summer!

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