Horse Flies Galore

[Harry]

Lately I've had so many horse flies around that it's not enjoyable to use the pool. The grands love to swim but not to be constantly swatting at the giants horse flies. I've tried a couple of different remedies but not that seems to work. I painted a basket ball black and covered it with a sticky substance called tangle foot. Then hung it under a shepards hook with some string. They are supposed to be attracted to the black ball and when they land on it they get stuck and can't fly away. I've caught all kids of flying insects but no horse flies. I also bought a device that fits into the side of a 2 liter bottle. You partially fill the bottle with some water and raw meat. I used liver with some of the blood. After sitting in the sun for a few days it stinks badly and the flies are attracted to it. They go inside and can't get out. Again I caught all kinds flies but no horse flies.
I was wondering if anyone else had this problem and came up with a soultion?

Keep the Peace
Harry

[JSinMO]

I dont have a sure fire answer, but I thought of a couple a thing that might be worth trying. Maybe some citronella candles around the area, or maybe mix a spray bottle with of dish soap vinegar and water and spray them. The dish soap should stick to them and kill them. I have seen that work on wasps I assume it will work on horse flys too.

[DavidBarkey]

Did you put the black ball in the sun ? horse flys are attracted to heat signature . ball needs to be between 95F and 105 F. They see in inferred as well .
We are fortune ate here , few horse flies , but Deer flys are Komakosi dive bombers .

[MattA]

Buy the grandkids Bug-A-Salt rifles https://www.bugasalt.com/

[DavidBarkey]

Buy the grandkids Bug-A-Salt rifles https://www.bugasalt.com/

want video

[Timj]

Looks like fun for adults too.

[Harry]

Did you put the black ball in the sun ? horse flys are attracted to heat signature . ball needs to be between 95F and 105 F. They see in inferred as well .
We are fortune ate here , few horse flies , but Deer flys are Komakosi dive bombers .

David yes it is located in the sun, they like black objects. They land on my pool solar cover pole brackets, which are black and pool floats that are colored black but not the sticky ball. I watched a video yesterday on YT that had a netting over the ball and a funnel into a jar at the top. Easy enough to DIY one.

I heard that the barn swallows and purple martin birds eat them. I attracted purple martins into my back yard with gourd houses this year. I noticed since the dry weather came no more misquitoes which is their food source. I have not seen them since the contractor was here working in my backyard digging up the lawn. I spoke to a few neighbors about them the other day and they all say the same thing. They can't use the pool because of the horse flies.

Keep the Peace
Harry