Tuesday, August 3, 2010


Well I can categorically say "We have trapped horse flies." We got the whole thing set up Sunday afternoon and by evening had a pretty good catch - considering it was just a few hours before dark. Monday was better but I thought the flies weren't as active as some days. Today after a rain and hot and humid weather we got quite a few flies. YEAH!!!!! But they are still bothering the cows so we might have to move the whole contraption to a new site that might catch more. (did I use 'might' twice in one sentence - you might think I've become a political reporter) Anyway any dead horse fly is a GOOD horse fly!! Oops! Any dead female horse fly is a good horse fly !! (i got the picture from www.emilyware.co.uk/blogs/index.php/2009/03/17/biters?blog=5)

Friday, July 30, 2010

This time of year is one that drives the cows crazy during daylight hours. The horse flies are out and BITE. They live a strange life cycle for causing the cows such a problem. The female need a blood meal to have enough protein to lay eggs in wet areas. The eggs hatch and larval and pupal forms live in the soil feeding on debris and other dirt dwellers then fly out a year or two later and wreck havoc with large animals getting blood to start the cycle all over. The cows go nuts and since they seem to only fly around when it is hot and humid the cows will hide out in a dark corner of the barn all day to avoid them.

Last week I stumbled on a trap, 'Googling' horse flies, that is supposed to catch them and immediately ordered it. We are awaiting its arrival and whether to see if it stands up to all the testimonials. It would be different to actually see the cows during the day! Wow to think we could actually kill some of them!!!!

Friday, July 23, 2010

Facebook?

Well, back in April of 2009 I moved to Facebook because everyone said it was a much easier way to post. It probably is, but oddly enough, after switching over I really don't post very much. Maybe a comment now and then and I'll put some pictures up that I want other to see, but really I find myself reading the swarm of short posts from everyone else. And I do like looking at the pictures posted of my friends. It does keep me informed but somehow doesn't seem the same as the blog. Soooooooo maybe I should fire up the old blog or at least post a few complete paragraphs now and then.