Effect of daily floor treatment with sodium bisulfate on the fly population of horse stalls.
OBJECTIVE
To determine application rate and effectiveness of sodium bisulfate to decrease the fly population in a horse barn environment.


METHODS
12 privately owned farms in southeastern Pennsylvania.


METHODS
Application rates of sodium bisulfate were approximately 2.3 kg/stall, 1.1 kg/stall, and 0.5 kg/stall. Two or 3 stalls were treated, and 1 or 2 stalls were not treated (control stalls) at each farm. Farm personnel applied sodium bisulfate in treated stalls daily for 7 days. Fly tapes were hung from the same site in treated and control stalls. After 24 hours, the fly tape was removed, flies adhering to the sticky surface were counted and recorded, and a new fly tape was hung. This procedure was repeated daily during each of the testing periods.


RESULTS
Following the application of 2.3 kg of sodium bisulfate/stall, the numbers of flies collected on the fly tape were significantly decreased in treated stalls, compared with control stalls during the same time periods on 9 of the 12 farms evaluated. Following the application of 1.1 kg of sodium bisulfate/stall, fly numbers were significantly decreased in treated stalls on 6 of the 9 farms evaluated. Following the application of 0.5 kg of sodium bisulfate/stall, fly numbers were significantly decreased in the treated stalls on 3 of the 4 farms evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that sodium bisulfate would be effective for fly control in horse barns.
Sweeney
C R
CR
Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, 19348, USA.
Scanlon
T
T
Russell
G E
GE
Smith
G
G
Boston
R C
RC
D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D006736:Horses; D006799:Housing, Animal; D008372:Manure; D010414:Pennsylvania; D016012:Poisson Distribution; D012044:Regression Analysis; D013431:Sulfates / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013997:Time Factors
D008372:Manure; D013431:Sulfates; C012036:sodium sulfate