Fly season is upon us and we’ve taken a little time to gather some home made recipes for fly spray. Some of these recipes may work better than others and your mileage may vary. The claims made in the following recipes are provided for reference. If you have any doubt in using any of these recipes, always consult your Vet.
#1 – Homemade Fly Spray
This one is a favorite of mine! I discovered it this summer through a friend. She recommended it highly. It has worked for everyone that has used it to date with no side effects, including on my own horses. I also use it around the outside of our house and barn as a perimeter spray to control bugs and flies. Its safer and more effective than store-bought stuff and it smells better! (I have a 16month old daughter)
The only downfall of this concoction is that in “tough” fly country, it seems to last about 8-10 hours, but the price is right to make more!
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Mix equal parts in a spray bottle of the following:
1/3 Pine Sol of any scent (I like orange)
1/3 Apple Cider Vinegar
1/3 Water
Shake well and apply liberally to your horse. Be careful around the head, eyes and any open wounds. If in doubt, do a patch test for sensitivity on your horse and/or consult your vet prior to application. Enjoy!
#2 – Fly Be Gone
15 oz water
5 oz commercial fly spray ( any brand)
5 oz vinegar
2 oz vegetable oil
2 oz green Dawn dish soap
#3 – Easy Fly Spray
Mix seven parts water with one part citronella as a fly spray. It’s not oily either. Mix it four parts water to one part citronella during the worst of the fly season.
#4 – Internal Fly Repellant
If your horse is allergic to fly bites, try 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar on their grain once a day. This raises the blood acid level just enough to bother the flies, but it is completely healthy for the horse. It takes about one week to start seeing the effects. Several old timers have told me that they always put vinegar in their horse’s drinking water during the summer to repel flies and mosquitoes.
#5 – Horse Insect Repellent Mix
1 oz. Citronella Oil
2 oz. Skin-So-Soft or Coat-So-Soft
1 Cup Cider Vinegar
1 cup Water
Mix in a 20 oz. spray bottle.
#6 – Fly Repellent
2 cups white vinegar
1 cup Avon Skin So Soft (Bath oil)
1 cup water
1 tablespoon eucalyptus oil
#7 – Avon Skin So Soft
Mix 3 parts water to 1 part Avon’s skin-so-soft in a spray bottle.
Spray liberally on your horse. This also softens his coat.
#8 – Quick Fly Spray
18 oz white vinegar
2 Tbsp dish washing soap.
Mix in a 20 oz spray bottle and shake gently until well blended. You may add water to dilute. Spray liberally on your horse
#9 – Easy Fly Mixture
4 oz Skin So Soft
1 oz citronella oil
12 oz vinegar
12 oz water
Mix all together and spray
You can also check out the commercial Fly Sprays at Jeffers Equine:
Fly Sprays
We hope these recipes come in handy and work for you,
The NickerTown Staff
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