Hobbies And Interests
The Bot Fly
A horse ingests bot fly eggs by licking or nuzzling its coat. The warm, moist environment of the animal's mouth acts as an incubator. First-stage larvae reside in mouth; when they mature, the horse swallows them. The second- and third-stage larvae mature inside the horse's stomach, and eventually are expelled via the animal's manure to become adult flies. They begin their life cycle again, each fly producing from 300 to 1,000 eggs at a time.
Bot Egg Knife
A bot egg knife is essential in controlling this pest. When dragged over the horse's hair, the curved blade removes eggs from individual follicles. The knife reaches into tight spots where bot fly eggs are found. A bot egg knife measures around 9 inches and has a long, curved, serrated steel blade. The handle is usually made of wood or molded grips. Knives are available at tack shops or animal supply stores.
Bot Fly Season
The bot fly presents seasonal problems to farmers and horse lovers. In most Northern states, late summer and early fall is bot fly season. In the South, it can extend from March to December. Using the bot egg knife gets rid of most of the eggs. Another method of control is using an effective oral wormer, which loosens the larvae from the stomach lining before they mature. Once dead, they pass harmlessly through the horse.
Diseases
Horse bot fly larvae occasionally cause myiasis, a disease in which the larvae feed on a host's tissue. Although rare, humans are also susceptible to topical myiasis. In animals, the first-stage larvae burrow into gum tissue, which may lead to irritation, pus pockets and loosened teeth. Loss of appetite develops because of infection and inflamed abscesses. Second- and third-stage bot fly larvae inhabit the horse's gastrointestinal tract, causing blockages that lead to colic.