Life cycle of the deer ked fly
The life cycle of this fly is unusual. The female develops one larva at a time in a kind of “womb”, where it is fed with a special glandular secretion. Once the larva is fully developed, it is deposited in the host’s coat or on the ground. The larva then pupates. In late summer or autumn, the adult fly emerges from the pupa. It then actively searches for a host. After landing, the fly sheds its wings and crawls through the coat to the animal’s skin. There it feeds on blood for about 15 to 25 minutes. It then finds a mate and the cycle begins again.
How do you recognise a deer ked fly on your dog?
When the fly sees a dog as a potential host, it will often keep circling around the dog before landing. The fly mainly bites areas with little hair, such as the belly, the inside of the thighs and around the anus. A deer ked fly moves much faster than a tick, which makes it difficult to catch.
Symptoms of a deer ked fly bite
A deer ked fly bite is painful and can cause a lot of irritation. Common symptoms in dogs are:
- suddenly biting or snapping at the skin
- intense scratching
- redness or swelling
- painful bumps
- restlessness during or after a walk
Some dogs develop more severe inflammatory reactions.
How do you remove a deer ked fly?
If you see a deer ked fly in the coat, try to remove it as quickly as possible before it bites. This can be difficult because the fly moves quickly and grips firmly into the coat. Practical tips:
- use a piece of duct tape to catch the fly
- some people use hairspray to make the fly temporarily less mobile
- check the coat carefully after a walk in the woods
What can you do for insect bites?
After a bite, you can support the skin with soothing or calming products. Suitable products include:
These products can help care for the skin and reduce irritation.
How can you prevent deer ked flies in dogs?
Prevention is difficult, but you can reduce the risk.
Avoid high-risk areas
Deer ked flies are especially common in forests, dense natural areas and places with many deer. Avoid these areas when the fly is active.
Use a repellent product
Some products against ticks and flies can help repel deer ked flies. For example:
These products have a repellent effect against various insects and parasites.
Check the coat after walking
Check your dog carefully after a walk, especially the sparsely haired areas such as the belly, groin, armpits and base of the tail.
Deer ked flies in horses
Horses can also be badly affected by deer ked flies. Horses that are kept in or near wooded areas in particular may react restlessly because of the painful bites. Symptoms in horses may include:
- restlessness
- rubbing
- tail swishing
- skin irritation
- overreacting while being ridden
In some horses, severe reactions or even colic-like symptoms have been described. Products that can support the skin after fly bites include:
The deer ked fly is therefore a small but troublesome parasite that mainly occurs in wooded areas. Although the fly normally lives on wild animals, dogs and horses can also become victims of its painful bites. For that reason, check your animal carefully after walks in nature and support the skin with caring products if needed.
