Garlic & The Importance of Summer Fly Control

Flies are more than just a nuisance around the farm – heavy fly pressure can have a real impact on livestock health, comfort, and performance. 🪰

When animals are constantly fighting flies, they spend less time eating and resting and more time stressed and irritated. Excessive fly pressure has been shown to reduce weight gain, lower feed efficiency, decrease milk production, and negatively affect overall animal well-being. In severe cases, flies can even contribute to disease transmission and infections.

Good fly control starts with a combination of management practices and nutritional support. A few simple ways to help reduce flies around your property include:
✔️ Keep manure and wet bedding cleaned up regularly
✔️ Eliminate standing water whenever possible
✔️ Improve airflow in barns and shelters
✔️ Keep feed storage areas clean and dry
✔️ Use mineral and feed additives that support natural fly control, and start early!

We carry several products that can help support your fly control program this season:

Redmond 10 Fine Salt with Garlic – now available in both loose mineral and block form!

Riomax tubs with Repel (garlic) or FlyBye (IGR for high fly pressure)

Fertrell Fly Aside – available in both dry feed-through and liquid concentrate options

Most of these products contain garlic as a natural method of fly control, and it really does work!

🧄 Garlic – The Real MVP on the Summer Homestead
Garlic isn’t just helpful during fly season – it has been used for generations as a natural support tool for livestock health on the homestead. While it’s not a replacement for proper nutrition or veterinary care, garlic can offer several potential benefits when included as part of a balanced feeding program:

• Supports natural fly resistance by helping make animals less attractive to biting insects
• Encourages appetite in some animals during heat stress or seasonal changes
• Provides sulfur compounds and trace nutrients that support overall wellness
• May help support respiratory health during dusty or damp conditions
• Supports circulation and immune function through naturally occurring compounds like allicin
• Can help promote healthier skin and coat condition in some livestock species

Many homesteaders appreciate garlic because it fits well into a more natural management approach, especially when combined with clean housing, quality feed, fresh water, and strong mineral programs.
Garlic products are commonly used with cattle, goats, sheep, poultry, and horses – especially during the warmer months when insect pressure is high.

As with any supplement, consistency matters. Garlic tends to work best when fed regularly over time rather than as a one-time treatment.

So how does garlic work to reduce fly pressure, specifically?
When livestock consume garlic through mineral or feed supplements, the natural sulfur compounds are absorbed and released through the skin and breath. That creates a scent flies don’t like, helping make animals less attractive to biting pests.

Research continues to support what many producers have noticed in the field. A Saskatchewan field study highlighted by Redmond Agriculture found cattle receiving garlic mineral had roughly 55% fewer flies compared to control groups, along with noticeably less fly-avoidance behavior.

Garlic can be a great natural tool for reducing fly pressure, especially when started early in the season and paired with good pasture management. For severe infestations, some producers also use an IGR (Insect Growth Regulator) as part of a broader fly control strategy. Unlike repellents, IGRs work by interrupting the fly life cycle in manure, helping prevent larvae from developing into adult flies.

No single method is perfect on its own – but combining nutrition, sanitation, garlic-based products, and when needed an IGR program can make a huge difference in animal comfort and performance through the summer months.

A strong fly control program helps keep animals more comfortable, supports better production and growth, and makes chore time a little more enjoyable for everyone. Stop by the warehouse if you’d like help choosing the best option for your herd or flock this summer! ☀️