MidgeMaster Benefits to Horses
The MidgeMaster attracts and traps a variety of biting insects, including the Culicoides midge (cause of sweet itch), Simulium equinum (a species of blackfly which feeds from the ears of horses), horse flies (clegs) and mosquitoes.
My name is Juliet Caird and I have been a veterinary surgeon for 18 years. I suffer from organophosphate (pesticide) poisoning and, as a result, cannot use any pesticides on myself or animals. I live in the west of Scotland where there is a large midge population. My animals and I were being tormented by the midges.
Out of desperation I purchased a MidgeMaster. The machine has exceeded all our expectations. It was extremely effective at reducing the midge numbers from an early stage. It has improved the quality of life so much for myself and my animals, which include 2 ponies, 6 llamas and 2 sheep, that I was keen to tell other veterinary surgeons and animal owners about the machine, particularly owners of ponies which suffer from sweet itch. As a result of this, I have now become an agent for the company.
MidgeMaster constantly reduces the midge population throughout the midge season, and each successive season begins with a lower initial hatch of midges resulting in a continuous progressive improvement.
The benefits are as follows:-
- normal horses & ponies (i.e. non sweet itch sufferers) become much less irritated by midges and become more settled
- sweet itch sufferers improve (in combination with other management strategies) with a potential reduction in vets fees.
- reduced need for expensive & often ineffective or short-acting pesticides and insect repellents which are often potentially toxic, particularly to children
- reduced need for sticky barrier creams
- no harmful side effects, in comparison with many chemicals & repeated corticosteroid injections
- owners feel less frustrated and helpless about dealing with the problem
- pony & rider able to pay attention during schooling
- mobile, robust & weatherproof machine
- low running costs
- happier ponies and owners
 "I strongly recommend MidgeMaster. It has greatly improved my quality of life" Rufus, Barnsoul, Dumfries |
Sweet itch
This is an extremely distressing condition affecting approximately 5% of horses and ponies in Britain. It is the result of a hypersensitive reaction to midge saliva and, if not properly controlled, results in the animal scratching excessively, particularly the mane and tail. This further worsens the allergic dermatitis and skin damage and often causes bleeding and secondary infection with pain as well as itchiness. Control of the condition is notoriously difficult, often causing great distress and frustration for the owner as well as the affected animal.
The MidgeMaster helps to control sweet itch by greatly reducing the midge population around the horse/pony. Fewer bites result in a less severe skin reaction. As the machine does not completely eliminate all the midges (on a bad day there is usually a big swarm of midges around my machine and a few midges around each animal), best results will be achieved by using it in combination with other management strategies.
Stabling of the animal during the worst midge times (approx. 4pm-8am), with fine mesh across the windows, generally helps but this alone is often not enough.
Placing the MidgeMaster to give protection of the stable area has proved to be a great help in stopping the midges which normally find their way into the stable through the gaps between the doors and wall and attack the ponies. At the same time, it dramatically reduces the midge population in the outside area for daytime grazing.
Rugs covering most of the animal can be a great help but midges can still find their way to any exposed parts e.g. sheath/mammary area, nose, legs. MidgeMaster will help greatly to prevent this. Without careful management i.e. prevent access to barbed wire, trees etc., rugs are prone to tearing.
Pesticides and repellents have many disadvantages. Cheap flower-scented perfume often works equally well (but my animals have had no need for this since purchasing the M
MidgeMaster).
Helpful tips for use of MidgeMaster for horses/ponies
Which Model Should I Choose?
We recommend a Pro or Pro Plus Model for best results, although a Liberty Plus model would be helpful in areas where the midge population is not very high (My machine is a Pro). Your animal/s will be producing a fair amount of attractant to compete with the machine and I would not expect a Defender model to be able to compete with this well enough. In addition to this, the Defender model has an electric cable which would be less safe. The Pro series models generate their own power and have no cables.
If there is a very big area to cover or many well separated and large sources of midges, or different horses/ponies are kept in separate areas relatively far apart, you could consider purchasing two Liberty Plus machines rather than one Pro series model. This would cost slightly more than a Pro Plus model but would be likely to be more effective.
Where should I place the MidgeMaster?
Maximum benefit is obtained by careful siting of the MidgeMaster between the animal/s and the main source of midges (wet area). Also remember that the attractant travels downwind & the midges generally travel upwind for a meal. If the machine does not appear to be very effective at first, don’t despair – try repositioning it and there is likely to be a big improvement.
Keeping the MidgeMaster separate from your horse/pony
Keep the MidgeMaster separate from the ponies/horses, otherwise they may knock it over. It is robust but will not function properly or very safely on its side! Also, a pony inspecting the machine closely will collect some of the midge swarm which has gathered around the machine. Keep the machine at least 6 feet away from your pony/horse. We recommend using electric fencing around the machine, which is convenient and allows for repositioning.
If you check the machine, remember not to transport midges back to your pony. Obviously, it is preferable to check the MidgeMaster during the middle of the day.
The grazing area for our horses/ponies is much bigger that that protected by the MidgeMaster - so how can the machine possibly help our animals?
Easily. The maximum area protected by the machine is 1.25 acres for a Pro model and 1.5 acres for a Pro Plus model. This depends on local land features, eg buoldings, hedges and walls. This may well be too small an area for all the animals to graze within it during the day The solution is to gather them to the smaller protected area in the evening and let them out to the wider area in the morning to graze during the day when the number of active midges is much lower. My Pro model protects 10 animals this way (gathered into two paddocks and a small yard and stable area) and it also protects the garden and barbecue area.
How can I ensure the MidgeMaster is operating to maximum capacity?
Follow the manufacturer’s simple instructions. These instructions are straightforward. In particular, remember to replace the octenol at 21 day intervals. If you forget to do this you and your pony will soon suffer the consequences. We advise you to record the change dates on you calendar.
Use of the MidgeMaster at Horse Shows
The use of a MidgeMaster at horse shows allows horses and their handlers to concentrate on their task and perform to their best ability, being particularly useful at dressage competitions. It also reduces the nuicance caused to spectators.
Commercial advantages, for stables, of owning a MidgeMaster
Any premises purchasing a MidgeMaster from this company will be registered on the MidgeBlaster website, which can be viewed by potential customers. Links can be set up between websites if requested.
A satisfied MidgeMaster customer reports:-
‘I recently purchased a MidgeMaster for my ride and drive heavy horses and boarding kennels near Loch Fyne. There was a large and often intolerable local midge population here but, since starting to use the MidgeMaster, there has been an enormous reduction in the number of midges. The animals and I are now much less bothered by the insects. It is important to place the machine at the correct site for maximum trapping ability. While there are a few midges still present here, the situation would be a hundred times worse without the machine. The MidgeMaster is an excellent machine and I would recommend it to anyone with a midge problem.’Miss P. Jane Dawson, Croft Kennels, Croitachonie, Cairndow, Argyll, PA26 8BG
Further information from MidgeBlaster
You are welcome to contact us to discuss the MidgeMaster further, or to enquire about the possibility of inspecting a machine in operation in your area click here
Ordering and delivery – click here
