Bot Eggs

[griff]

Is there a better way of removing Bot eggs other than using a bot knife?

I went at it this afternoon and am exhused and have to go back and finish the job later this week. Every time I start taking the eggs off a mare's leg she picks it up. OK, I then hold that leg off the ground and work on the eggs on the other leg. Severl times it seemed as though the mares were going to lay down on me. I feel like I was holding up at least 500 pounds.

Then came my four month old old filly. She's halter broke and I can pick up all four feet with no fuss. However, she does not like the bot knife and I again resorted to holding one leg off the ground and working on the other. If she doesn't make ot as a race horse I think she might have a career as a bare back rodeo horse.

I guess I could but a twitch on the mares but I hate to do that with the filly.

In this modern day it seems there should be a spray or something that works better than a bot kbife. It was a hard and frustrating day.

griff

[Marli]

Here's an article that actually says that sponging them with warm water will stimulate them to hatch.

http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/cropprot/botfly.htm

[JimP]

Hi Guys,

My vet has always told me to use vinegar on the eggs. I usually mix vinegar with some water and sponge on the legs.

I have an old country vet. He recommends fresh squeezed onion juice on warts!!

I could go on.

[NYBreeder]

Warm water with a hefty dose of vinegar works well to get them to hatch and kills the larvae, but you need to wait till the weather is cool... below 50 degrees is best. Make sure you deworm with ivermectin 30 days after first frost.
I also find a grapefruit knife works much better than the bot knives. The grooming stones and disposable razors work well too.

[griff]

Thanks

I'll try them all,

griff

[griff]

One additional question. Why delute the vinegar? Why not just yse warm vinegar/

griff

[camohn]

I use a thing that works great: it is a small square gray stone that looks like a pumice stone. It is found on the grooming aisle at the tack shop. Meant as a grooming tool but works great on bot eggs. Fits in the bumpy spots on the inner legs much better than an inflexible knife! (It wears away as you use it with soft rounded corners).

[pembroke]

JimP.....those are the best vets!!!!

[briarhalo]

I have actually had great success with a small grit sandpaper.....it's cheap and works wonderfully, even better than the blocks (pumice type.......bot blocks). Claire

[madelyn]

The best sandpaper I use is 600 grit wet or dry (from my varnish days on my sailboat). Wet it with warm water and rub in the direction of the hair and presto all gone and horses don't mind a bit... at pennies a sheet it beats the bot knife anytime.

[certifiedgirl]

This year has been the worst for the darn bots out here- I'm going to try the vinegar/water next. Good luck Griff- you are not alone!

[aurora]

I've used a stone that you can get to clean your outdoor grill. But the sandpaper sounds great. I'm going to try it.