Horse Flies
Tabanus spp.
| Danger | medium |
|---|---|
| Category | Flies |
| Color | Gray or blackish body, wings usually lacking dark areas but some species with entirely dark wings; eyes often large and green or purple with horizontal stripes |
| Size | About 3/8 - 1 and 1/8” (10-30 mm) long |
| Legs | 6 |
| Antennae | Yes |
| Shape | Stout-bodied and without bristles |
| Region | Found throughout North America |
Overview
The horse fly is a type of fly that likely received its common name because it is a notorious pest of horses and other mammals. Horse flies are commonly found in both suburban and rural areas near bodies of water, which serve as breeding sites , and where mammal hosts are most abundant.
What Horse Flies Look Like
Color: Gray or blackish body, wings usually lacking dark areas but some species with entirely dark wings; eyes often large and green or purple with horizontal stripes
Behavior & Habitat
Adult horse flies are fast, strong fliers that most often attack moving and dark objects. Horse flies often rest on paths and roads, especially in wooded areas, where they wait for potential hosts. Horse flies are attracted to light and will sometimes congregate at windows. They are most evident on windless, hot, sunny days.
Are Horse Flies Dangerous?
Adult horse flies typically feed on nectar, but females require a blood meal before they can reproduce effectively. Female horse fly bites,especially in large specimens, can be quite painful because their mouthparts are used for tearing and lapping, as opposed to mosquitoes which simply pierce the skin and suck blood.
Female horse flies are also persistent and will generally continue biting a host until they either succeed in procuring their blood meal or are killed. They are even known to chase their intended targets for short periods of time. Some species are vectors of disease organisms, but in the U.S., most horse fly-vectored diseases only involve livestock.
Female horse flies bite because they feed on blood aggressively. A horse fly bite can be painful, since they use sharp cutting mouthparts to lacerate the skin in order to pool-feed blood with a spongelike tongue. Male horse flies do not consume blood, but rather feed on pollen and plant nectars.
Prevention & Control
Those who have experienced a horse fly bite know how unpleasant it is. This is why it’s so important to know how toavoid and get rid of horse flies.
To avoid future encounters with this pest, the NPMA experts recommend the following:
If you notice horse flies or their bites, contact a professional immediately to discuss how to get rid of horse flies through a proper course of pest control. You can find one with the helpful zip code search below.
Flies are a common pest around the world. Although flies have short lifespans, they are able to quickly reproduce in large numbers and are also capable of spreading various dangerous diseases. What are horse flies and how do you deal with them? Horse fly bites can ruin even the best beach days. See our tips on dealing with horse flies at the beach. They are not the same! Learn about the differences between crane flies and mosquitoes. Identify Pests Pest Control Tips About Commercial Services Find A Pest Pro Privacy Policy Terms of Use Site Map Brought to you by
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Common questions about Horse Flies
Are Horse Flies dangerous?
Adult horse flies typically feed on nectar, but females require a blood meal before they can reproduce effectively. Female horse fly bites,especially in large specimens, can be quite painful because their mouthparts are used for tearing and lapping, as opposed to mosquitoes which
What do Horse Flies look like?
Color: Gray or blackish body, wings usually lacking dark areas but some species with entirely dark wings; eyes often large and green or purple with horizontal stripes
How do I get rid of Horse Flies?
Those who have experienced a horse fly bite know how unpleasant it is. This is why it’s so important to know how toavoid and get rid of horse flies.
Related Flies
Vendors for Flies
Vendors below are matched from the pest category and service specialties. Use country, ZIP / postal, city, branch, or service filters to narrow results.
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| Vendor | Score | Country | Reputation | Website | Telephone | ZIP / postal coverage | Good at | Certifications | Branch count | Quality / notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC Home & Commercial Services | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (281) 730-9500 |
United States |
Commercial, Residential, Termites, Ants, Cockroaches, Rodents, Mosquitoes, Lawn |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety |
0 |
Score 5/5. verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety; operating since 1949; 8 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Abell Pest Control | 5 / 5 | Canada | 5 / 5 | (888) 560-2056 |
Brampton, ON, Hamilton, ON, Gatineau, QC |
Commercial, Residential, Rodents, Cockroaches, Bed bugs, Ants, Ticks, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety |
3 |
Score 5/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety; operating since 1924; 8 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Amco Ranger Pest Control | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (636) 928-3084 |
Chesterfield, MO, Lake St. Louis, MO, O'Fallon, MO, St. Charles, MO, St. Louis, MO, St. Peters, MO, Wentzville, MO |
Commercial, General pest, Organic, Residential |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools |
7 |
Score 5/5. 7 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools. |
|
| Arrow Exterminators | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (516) 593-7770 |
United States |
Commercial, Residential, Termites, Wildlife, Mosquitoes |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety |
0 |
Score 5/5. verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety; operating since 1964; 5 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Central Exterminating | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (800) 966-7673 |
Madison Heights, MI, Cuyahoga Falls, OH |
Ants, Bed bugs, Cockroaches, Commercial, General pest, Mosquitoes, Residential, Termites |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools |
7 |
Score 5/5. 7 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools; 8 service categories. |
|
| EcoChoice Termite & Pest Control | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (800) 323-7378 |
Framingham, MA, Leominster, MA, Springfield, MA, Worcester, MA, Bangor, ME, Portland, ME, Manchester, NH |
Commercial, General pest, Mosquitoes, Residential, Rodents, Termites, Ticks, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited |
7 |
Score 5/5. 7 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited; 8 service categories. |
|
| EcoShield Pest Solutions | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (888) 744-1284 |
Canoga Park, CA, Englewood Denver, CO, Tampa, FL, Annapolis Junction, MD, St. Louis Park, MN, Mount Laurel, NJ, Totowa, NJ, Westchester Plaza Elmsford Elmsford, NY, Norristown, PA, Dacoma Suite G Houston, TX, Dallas, TX, Houston, TX, +3 more |
Residential, Commercial, Ants, Rodents, Mosquitoes, Organic, General pest |
- |
24 |
Score 5/5. 24 official branch records; official website branch evidence; 7 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Hawx | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (726) 202-0214 |
Phoenix, AZ |
Residential, Rodents |
QualityPro Accredited |
14 |
Score 5/5. 14 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Insight Pest Solutions Alberta | 5 / 5 | Canada | 5 / 5 | (587) 323-4844 |
Calgary, AB, Burnaby, BC, Bathurst, NB, Bedford, NS, Dartmouth, NS, Barrie, ON, Burlington, ON, Charlottetown, PE, Drummondville, QC |
Ants, Residential, Rodents, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited |
18 |
Score 5/5. 18 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Massey Services | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (770) 928-7275 |
United States |
Residential, Termites, Mosquitoes, Ants, Cockroaches, Lawn |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
0 |
Score 5/5. verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro; operating since 1985; 6 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Omega Termite & Pest Control | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (800) 257-3636 |
Alameda, Albany, Antioch, San Carlos, San Francisco, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, San Mateo, San Pablo, San Ramon, South San Francisco, Sunol, +2 more |
Residential, Termites |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
14 |
Score 5/5. 14 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro. |
|
| Orkin | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (877) 819-5061 |
Alabama |
Residential, Commercial, Termites, Bed bugs, Rodents, Ants, Cockroaches |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Food Safety |
1 |
Score 5/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Food Safety; operating since 1901; 7 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Palmetto Exterminators | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (800) 585-8019 |
Bluffton, SC, Charleston, SC, Charlotte, SC, Columbia, SC, Easley, SC, Greenville, SC, Irmo, SC, Murrells Inlet, SC, Myrtle Beach, SC, Summerville, SC, Walterboro, SC |
General pest, Mosquitoes, Residential, Termites |
QualityPro Accredited |
11 |
Score 5/5. 11 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Pest Management Systems | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (910) 215-9700 |
Summerfield Oak Ridge, NC |
Bed bugs, Commercial, General pest, Residential, Rodents, Termites, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools |
1 |
Score 5/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools; 7 service categories. |
|
| Rentokil | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (630) 621-5997 |
United States |
Commercial, Residential, Rodents, Termites, Cockroaches |
QualityPro Accredited |
0 |
Score 5/5. verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited; operating since 1927; 5 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Rose Pest Solutions | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (260) 484-5589 |
Fort Wayne, IN, Indianapolis, IN, Kokomo, IN, Niles, IN, Madison Heights, MI |
Ants, Bed bugs, Cockroaches, Commercial, Mosquitoes, Residential, Rodents, Termites, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety |
12 |
Score 5/5. 12 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro, Schools, Food Safety; 9 service categories. |
|
| Terminix | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (334) 260-7670 |
Auburn, AL, Birmingham, AL, Dothan, AL, Homewood, AL, Irondale, AL, Madison, AL, Mobile, AL, Montgomery, AL, Northport, AL, Summerdale, AL, Theodore, AL, Batesville, AR, +512 more |
Residential, Commercial, Termites, Bed bugs, Rodents, Ants, Cockroaches, Organic, Ticks |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
619 |
Score 5/5. 619 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro; operating since 1927; 9 service categories; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Thrasher Termite & Pest Control of So Cal | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (619) 349-8969 |
San Diego, CA |
Ants, Residential, Rodents |
QualityPro Accredited, Public Health, Green Pro |
9 |
Score 5/5. 9 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Public Health, Green Pro. |
|
| Triangle Pest Control | 5 / 5 | United States | 5 / 5 | (919) 283-3205 |
Angier, NC, Apex, NC, Carrboro, NC, Cary, NC, Chapel Hill, NC, Clayton, NC, Durham, NC, Garner, NC |
Ants, General pest, Organic, Residential, Rodents, Termites |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
9 |
Score 5/5. 9 official branch records; official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro; 6 service categories. |
|
| Creature Control | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (800) 441-1519 |
Ann Arbor, MI, Auburn Hills, MI, Brighton, MI, Farmington Hills, MI, Gregory, MI, Jackson, MI, Lansing, MI, Livingston County, MI, Oakland County, MI, Washtenaw County, MI |
Wildlife, Rodents, Residential, General pest |
- |
10 |
Score 4/5. 10 official branch records; official website branch evidence; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Ehrlich Pest Control | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (855) 963-6202 |
New York, NY |
Commercial, Residential |
QualityPro Accredited |
1 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Jackson Pest Management | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (260) 747-9772 |
Archive.Html, Index.Html |
Residential |
QualityPro Accredited |
3 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Knockout Pest Control | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (800) 244-7378 |
Uniondale, NY |
Commercial, Organic, Residential |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
3 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro. |
|
| Mares Exterminating | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (757) 485-5005 |
Suffolk, Williamsburg |
General pest, Residential |
QualityPro Accredited |
2 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Moxie Pest Control | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (469) 545-2160 |
United States |
Residential, Ants, Cockroaches, Mosquitoes, Rodents |
QualityPro Accredited |
0 |
Score 4/5. verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited; 5 service categories. |
|
| Nozzle Nolen | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (800) 226-6536 |
Boca Raton, FL, Lake Worth, FL, Port St Lucie, FL, West Palm Beach, FL |
Commercial, Organic, Residential |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
4 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro. |
|
| ProSource Pest Solutions | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (203) 405-9856 |
Waterbury, CT |
Residential, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited |
4 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Springer Professional Home Services | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (515) 262-9229 |
Des Moines, IA |
Residential |
QualityPro Accredited |
1 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Varment Guard Wildlife Services | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (800) 793-8169 |
Lima, Mankato, MN, Rochester, MN |
Residential, Wildlife |
QualityPro Accredited |
3 |
Score 4/5. official website branch evidence; verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Viking Pest Control | 4 / 5 | United States | 4 / 5 | (732) 356-3100 |
United States |
Commercial, Residential, Termites, Rodents, Mosquitoes |
QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro |
0 |
Score 4/5. verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited, Green Pro; 5 service categories. |
|
| Presto-X Pest Control (Rentokil) | 3 / 5 | United States | 3 / 5 | (985) 626-7378 |
United States |
Commercial, Residential, Rodents, Cockroaches |
QualityPro Accredited |
0 |
Score 3/5. verified industry directory membership; third-party certifications: QualityPro Accredited. |
|
| Solidified Pest Control | 3 / 5 | United States | 3 / 5 | (866) 614-6762 |
Ann Arbor, MI, Livonia, MI |
Residential, Ants, Rodents, General pest |
- |
2 |
Score 3/5. official website branch evidence; core vendor profile fields complete. |
|
| Aptive Environmental | 2 / 5 | United States | 2 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Ants, Cockroaches, Mosquitoes, Rodents, Ticks |
- |
0 |
Score 2/5. 6 service categories. |
|
| CJB Pest & Mosquito Control | 1 / 5 | United States | 1 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Mosquitoes, Termites |
- |
0 |
Score 1/5. |
|
| Green Guard Pest Solutions | 1 / 5 | United States | 1 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Organic, Ants, Rodents |
- |
0 |
Score 1/5. |
|
| Guardian Pest Control | 1 / 5 | United States | 1 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Commercial, Rodents |
- |
0 |
Score 1/5. |
|
| Pest EZ | 1 / 5 | United States | 1 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Ants, Cockroaches |
- |
0 |
Score 1/5. |
|
| Precision Pest Control | 1 / 5 | United States | 1 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Commercial, Termites |
- |
0 |
Score 1/5. |
|
| Superior Pest Control | 1 / 5 | United States | 1 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Commercial, Rodents |
- |
0 |
Score 1/5. |
|
| Wingman Pest Control | 1 / 5 | United States | 1 / 5 | - |
United States |
Residential, Ants, Mosquitoes |
- |
0 |
Score 1/5. |