How To Make Homemade Fly Spray For Your Horse

Key Takeaways

Homemade fly sprays for horses use natural ingredients like vinegar and essential oils to repel flies effectively.
Vinegar, essential oils (like eucalyptus and peppermint), and mineral oil are key ingredients in various DIY fly spray recipes.
Homemade fly sprays are cost-effective, eco-friendly, and gentler than commercial options on the horse’s skin.
Always perform a patch test on your horse before using any new fly spray to ensure no allergic reactions occur.
Reapply homemade fly sprays every 2-4 hours or after activities that may wash away the spray, like sweating or rain.

Whether you’ve worked on a farm or in a rural area before, you’ve probably heard of the painful bites produced by horse flies. But did you know that horsefly bites can cause rashes and discomfort in humans and transmit diseases?

Horse and non-horse owners should have a favorite homemade fly spray recipe. Making your homemade horse fly spray can keep these pests at bay.

Natural fly spray tips and recipes that are simple but effective.

Using natural components will make your horse feel more at ease than a commercial fly spray, so with these many natural sprays and low-ingredient formulations, you’re bound to find something that works for your horse care routine and stability.

Vinegar Spray – A Basic Homemade Fly Spray for Horses

This vinegar spray is a simple homemade fly spray for horses that can be created using common household components.

Vinegar Fly Repellent

2 cups white vinegar
1 cup of water
1 teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil, optional
1 tablespoon of thin carrier oil (such as olive oil or baby oil) if using eucalyptus essential oil

The main ingredients are white vinegar and water. Fly repellents function by disguising the smell of the animal, which vinegar excels at. Pour the contents into a spray bottle, shake, and apply to your horse.

Before spraying your entire horse, perform a patch test to guarantee no allergic reaction. If you use eucalyptus oil, dilute it with a carrier oil because essential oils can irritate humans and animals.

Essential Oils Spray – An Aromatic Natural Horse Fly Spray

If you’re wondering what repels flies, remember that the more aromatic something is, the more likely a fly may be puzzled and leave searching for something that smells more familiar.

The essential oils in this DIY fly spray for horses, particularly peppermint and lavender, cause olfactory disorientation.

Aromatic Fly Spray

1 cup white vinegar
2 cups of water
50 drops of lemon oil
25 drops peppermint essential oil
20 drops of lavender essential oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice

First, run a patch test with the fly spray or diluted essential oils to ensure your horse is comfortable with the scents and does not react negatively.

Put the ingredients in a 32-ounce spray container to prepare this natural fly killer spray. This natural horse fly spray will assist in hiding your animal’s scent and keep flies away.

You should shake the spray bottle each time you use it. Avoid applying tea tree oil to a fly repellent.

Many animals are allergic to or react to tea tree oil. While tea tree oil can be beneficial, especially medicinally, consult your veterinarian before adding it to any fly spray.

Mineral Oil Spray – An Easy DIY Horse Fly Spray

Simple Fly Spray for Horses

1 cup of mineral oil or water
1 cup of Avon Skin So Soft bath oil
2 cups apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon oil
1 tablespoon eucalyptus oil

Combine some of the above items to make a relatively natural horsefly spray.

Combine the contents in a spray container carrying at least 24 ounces. Shake the bottle before each use to ensure that the components are properly mixed. As previously, conduct a patch test to determine how your horse reacts. If your horse dislikes the scent of ACV, use half a cup less.

Pine-Sol Spray

You may come across articles and postings saying that Pine-Sol is an outstanding primary element in a homemade fly spray for horses, however this is not true. When pine-sol is sprayed directly on the horse’s skin and respiratory tract, it irritates.

However, if you want to get rid of flies around the house or even in the stable, using Pine-Sol spray can still help.

Pine-Sol Room Spray for the Stable

1 part Pine-Sol
1 part white vinegar
1 part water

Pour the ingredients into a spray bottle and mist the outer walls of the stable around your windows and anywhere flies congregate. It is not recommended to spray wherever your pets can reach.

Another simple outdoor fly treatment consists of two parts white vinegar, one part water, and a small bit of dish soap. Pour the ingredients into a spray bottle and shake to mix.

When you spot a swarm of horse flies on a stable wall, spray them with this DIY fly spray. The dish soap kills them rapidly.

Be Careful with Citronella Oil

Citronella oil is used in several natural fly treatments available online. Horses have a severe reaction to citronella essential oils, including swelling and blisters, and they frequently get sunburns when the oil reacts with sunshine. Consult your veterinarian before using this oil on your horse.

Even if you painstakingly comb your horse and muck out their stable every day, horse flies will continue to harass your poor creature. Hopefully, the several simple and natural fly-repellent recipes featured in this post have given you some ideas for how to help keep a healthy stable.

No matter which one you choose, consult with your veterinarian before using homemade fly spray. You don’t want to cause your horse any pain or distress.

Other Recipes for Homemade Fly Spray for Horses

Materials

8 ounces of tap water
1 tsp eucalyptus oil
1 tbsp olive oil
16 ounces vinegar

Tools

32-ounce sprayer bottle
Teaspoon
Measuring cup
Tablespoon

Instructions

Pour the four liquids into the spray bottle.
Shake well to combine the oils.
Apply to a tiny area of the horse to confirm no allergic reaction.
If the patch test goes well, carefully spray the horse from head to tail around the eyes, nose, mouth, and ears.

Importance Of Homemade Horse Fly Sprays

Natural Ingredients: Uses essential oils such as eucalyptus and citronella, known for their insect-repellent effects.
Cost-effective: Homemade sprays are less expensive, especially when components are readily available at home.
Eco-Friendly: Safer for the environment than commercial sprays that may include dangerous chemicals.
Safety for horses: It is gentler on the horse’s skin, which reduces the likelihood of allergic responses and skin irritations.

Recipes can be customized to meet various horses’ unique needs and tastes.

How to Safely Apply to Fly Spray on Horses

Approach softly: To avoid shocking your horse, approach them softly and gently. If they show any curiosity, allow them to sniff the spray container.
Begin spraying from a distance: To assess your horse’s reaction. Some horses may be sensitive to the sound or sensation of spray.
Avoid sensitive areas: Do not spray directly onto the face, eyes, or genitals. Instead, dab the spray on a towel and gently clean these spots.
Spray evenly: Apply the spray evenly throughout the horse’s coat. Pay close attention to places where flies are most likely to land, such as the legs, shoulders, and underbelly.
Use a brush: After spraying, use a brush to properly distribute the spray and rub it into the coat for more protection.
Sensitivity test: Always run a patch test before full application, especially when testing a new recipe.

Frequency and Conditions for Reapplication

Reapply as needed: Homemade fly sprays should be reapplied every 2-4 hours, depending on the climate and the horse’s activity level.
After exercise or rain: Reapply after excessive sweating, swimming, or rain, as these activities might wash away the spray.
Monitor fly activity: Check the amount of fly activity around your horse. In fly-infested locations, more frequent applications may be required.

FAQs

How effective are DIY fly sprays compared to commercial ones?

Homemade fly sprays can be highly powerful, especially with a specific combination of natural components recognized for repellent characteristics. While they may require more frequent reapplication than some commercial products, they are a safer and more natural option.

What is the shelf life of homemade horsefly spray?

Homemade fly sprays may last 1-2 weeks when stored in a cold, dark spot. Because natural substances, such as essential oils, lack the preservatives in commercial products, it is advisable to create them in small batches and use them within a specific timeframe.

Final Thoughts

Homemade horse fly sprays provide a safe, effective, and environmentally friendly alternative to commercial products. These sprays use natural components like essential oils and apple cider vinegar to provide a gentle yet effective defense against flies, assuring your horse’s comfort and health. Modifying recipes to your horse’s unique needs increases their attractiveness.

Ana