Frequently Asked Questions about Freedom® & Celebration™ Spot-On for Horses
- When should I begin my Fly Control regimen?
Freedom®’s and Celebration™’s active ingredient, Permethrin, is a contact Insecticide. As labeled, this product will provide control for up to two weeks. EFFECTIVENESS INCREASES AS YOU REAPPLY. Begin your protective regimen about 4 weeks prior to the start of the season. You can determine the beginning of the fly season in your area by tracking a few simple weather conditions. Look for temperatures around 60 to 70 degrees and humidity levels between 50 and 90 percent. Be aware, however, that in some areas flies are a year-round problem.
- Do I have to wash my horse before applying Freedom® or Celebration™?
No, it is not necessary or recommended. Bathing a horse prior to application does not enhance the effectiveness of Freedom® or Celebration™ it will actually reduce effectiveness. But if you must bathe your horse before, wait at least 24 hours after to apply.
- How soon after applying Freedom® or Celebration™ can I wash my horse?
Freedom® or Celebration™ will not wash off due to rain, swimming or riding. However, bathing your horse with a harsh shampoo will reduce Freedom’s and Celebration™’s effectiveness. Never apply Freedom® or Celebration™ to a wet horse as this will dilute the insecticide.
- Is Freedom® or Celebration™ safe for use on pregnant mares and nursing foals?
Yes. This product may be used on pregnant horses as well as foals over 12 weeks of age. The product should not be applied to the hind legs of a mare after giving birth for 10 days. Other areas of the horse are okay.
- Can I use Freedom® or Celebration™ with other fly control products?
Adequate testing has not been done to characterize how Freedom® or Celebration™ will interact with other products used on the horse at the same time as Freedom® or Celebration™. Permethrin spray should be compatible but in general we do not recommend the combination of more than one product on the horse at one time.
- Can my horse be vaccinated after applying Freedom® or Celebration™?
Yes. The use of Freedom® or Celebration™ has not been associated with any troublesome effects on vaccine protocol.
- Will Freedom® or Celebration™ affect my worming regimen?
No. The use of Freedom® or Celebration™ has not been associated with any troublesome effects on worming protocol.
- How long after a fly comes in contact with my horse will Freedom® or Celebration™ kill the fly?
The time needed for a fly to die after exposure to a treated horse will depend on the “quality” of the exposure. Sufficient time must occur for the fly to absorb a lethal does of the product that the fly encounters on the skin and hair coat. Freedom® and Celebration™ have a repellent action therefore many files will not even come in contact with the horse.
- How does Freedom® or Celebration™ work?
Freedom® or Celebration™ is applied to a horse and spreads over the skin and hair coat through the natural oils in its skin. For maximum effectiveness, allow 24 hours for Freedom® or Celebration™ to spread over the entire horse. Through contact insecticide action, Freedom® and Celebration™ have a built-in advantage. Unlike some other products, it doesn’t require that a fly bite your horse in order to be effective.
- Do I need to do anything else to control flies?
Yes. Treat the barn, stall and surface areas with a residual fly control product to further reduce the chance of fly re-infestation. Always keep the horse’s environment clean and remember nothing controls flies 100%. Freedom® and Celebration™ just work better than anything else!
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