Got Flies? We Need Your Help!
It may be a bit early to start worrying about flies, but this year there's a good reason! The Penn State Extension Equine Team is recruiting horse owners or caretakers to participate in a community science project involving flies on horses.
An upcoming study led by Dr. Erika Machtinger, Associate Professor of Entomology, and Dr. Danielle Smarsh, Equine Extension Specialist and Associate Professor of Equine Science, will explore "fly worry" (equine behaviors related to the presence of flies). With your help, we would like to test the effects of fly repellent products on horse behaviors in June of 2026.
We are looking for horse owners or caretakers aged 18 and up whose horses reside in Pennsylvania to volunteer for this study. You would be required to attend an evening training webinar in May and then video your horse on a day in June for a short period of time before and after applying fly repellent. You will then upload your videos, complete a survey sheet, and you are done. The total time commitment is 1–2 hours plus the training.
Anyone interested in participating in this study should fill out the application. If you have any questions, please contact Danielle Smarsh at DXS1172@psu.edu or 814-865-7810. The deadline to apply is May 1, 2026.
For more information on fly control, read Filth Fly Control on Horse Farms.
