Definition: Bots are the common name of the bot fly, its eggs or larvae. Bot flies attach their eggs to the manes and hair coats of a horse. They look similar to a bee. The eggs are swallowed when the horse bites at the areas where the eggs are adhered to the hair. The then hatch in the digestive system. Bots can damage the digestive system by causing blockages that can lead to colic, damaging tissue and taking away nutrients that would be otherwise beneficial to the horse. Bots are controlled by using repellent sprays or flysheets to prevent the flies from laying eggs on the horses, and by a regular de-worming program.
Pronunciation: b ŏ t s
Also Known As: bot flies, bot eggs
Examples:
Bot eggs can be scraped off of the hair using a fine blade.
