Winterizing your System

• Tips and Tricks
• November 2, 2020

Before the cold wind blows..

When the leaves begin to fall, the cold air blows in from the north and the horses are getting that thick furry look, we know that we need to get our barn ready for winter.

One important thing to do is winterize your fly spray system.  This 10-15 mins could save you hundereds of dollars in repairs.

It is not enough to drain the lines or shut it off.   Especially if you live in an area that gets really cold.  Here are some of the questions we have gotten.

But my Drum still has insecticide in it..

First try to time the cool weather with running out of insecticide.  If you have insecticide left you can bail it out and put in a pump sprayer for use around the barn or farm to spray for bugs.  You could use it around the tack or feed room, ant hills, stall walls for warm afternoon fly invassion.

We don't recommend leaving it to freeze and then reuse in the spring.  The insecticide is meant to biodegrade so come spring it could be rotting and ineffective or even seperated from freezing.  This can also cause the valves and filter to be damaged from sitting for months in the solution.

Why do I need to winterize?

If you live in an area that has multiple days at or below 32 degrees, you need to winterize.  This protects the pumps internal parts from cracking and the nozzles and lines from damage.

If you live in an area that does not freeze, has warm days and flies even in the winter, set the system to spray at least once mid day for 30-60 seconds this will help keep the nozzles from clogging, which can happen when the system is left dormant.

What if I just drain the lines?

There will still be fluid in the lines and the pump that could freeze.  We find that some systems will start up in the spring and then break down in the middle of the fly season because the parts have been damaged over the winter.

What is the best way to winterize?

You will want to get RV Antifreeze.  This is the non-toxic pink one that goes in the plumbing lines.  Here is an interesting article on the different kinds and how to choose what is best for you.  The best RV Antifreeze check out this link.

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