A Simple, Unique Way to Outsmart Horse Flies

Warm weather in Michigan means more time by the water, and more horse flies and deer flies. Their bites can be painful, but a unique trick may help keep them away.

Why Horse Flies Target People, Pets, and Farm Animals

For horses and livestock, summer often means dealing with nonstop attacks from horse flies and deer flies, making the season especially tough for animals and their owners.

A relaxing day at a Lake Michigan beach or a West Michigan pool can quickly be ruined by pesky horse flies looking to make you their next meal. So why do they feast on humans, pets, and livestock?

Horse flies are among Michigan's most dreaded summer pests. The females aggressively target humans, pets, and farm animals, using sharp, scissor-like mouthparts to deliver a painful bite while feeding on blood needed for reproduction.

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One TikTok influencer has gone viral for sharing her unconventional approach to keeping horse flies away.

A Unique Way to Keep Horse Flies Away

A TikTok influencer known as "applesauceanddadhd" claims she had no horse flies around her pool last year after hanging tiny disco balls around her fence. While she admits she doesn’t know the science behind it, she says her family stayed fly-free all summer.

Watch the video above to learn the TikTok poster’s tips for keeping horse flies away from your pool or beach area this summer.

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Scientists say flies have compound eyes that are highly sensitive to shifting light and rapid movement, which can overwhelm their visual system. Scattered light may make it harder for them to judge distance or direction, causing them to avoid the area.

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