Homemade Fly Repellent Ideas

[Scarberry2003]

For anyone who wants to make thier own fly repellent, it's easy and CHEAP. Here are a few ideas, I have tried the first one and it works great. I would avoid the garlic ideas,,,, just the thought of a sweaty horse reeking of garlic,,,,plus what it would do to the already pungent aroma of manure,,, well,,,, not for me LOL. Hope this helps

White wine vinegar, water and any combination of citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, sandalwood or tea tree oils
Mix a few drops of each essential oil into a little liquid detergent and add to the vinegar and water. Put the resultant mixture into a spray bottle and shake well before using.



Take a large lemon with a thick rind and slice thinly. Place in a bowl with a few sprigs of rosemary and cover both in boiling water. Allow to steep overnight and strain the mixture the following morning. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake before applying. A similar response seems to be had by doing the same with leaves, stems and flowers from Elder bushes. (Slipping flowering elder twigs through your horse’s browband can also act as a fly repellent.)



Mix one part crushed garlic to five parts water. Shake the mixture and leave overnight. Strain and pour liquid into a spray bottle.



An internal fly repellent. The addition of garlic to a horse's feed causes the skin to secrete garlic-scented oils that deter flies.
Adding a little vinegar or cider vinegar to a horses water raises the pH of the horse’s blood sufficiently to put flies off from biting.

[PatW]

Early in the season before flies actually start buzzing, the horses ears are the first to feel the effects of no-see-ums and biting gnats. You can tell by running your thumb upwards to the tip from the inside of the horses ears. The inside skin is scabby and even may result in spots of blood on your thumb.
On a daily basis, put Noxema on your finger tips and rub it on the inside skin of your horses ears. (You don't need alot) Some horses may not like the smell as you reach up to their ears, but I guarantee you, it keeps the gnats away and the inside of their ears are as soft as a baby's butt!

I quit doing it a couple weeks ago, and my horses' ears are still soft and without bite scabs.

[Scarberry2003]

Thanks for the tip, I was using Skin So Soft on mine, but Noxema would be easier, doesn't spill when it's knocked over for one LOL.

If any one has tried any of the other repellent ideas please post your results, just curious as to who has tried what and what works the best.

I just shy away from the garlic ones just because of the smell alone.

I would try the vinegar in the water , but im afraid the goldfish wouldn't like it too much,,, BTW, goldfish in the water during spring and summer keep the mosquito larvae eaten.

[Scarberry2003]

Just posting again as a reminder,, the buggy season is upon us already,, not too early for starting those fly repellents. Applying them about 15 minutes before a ride, or a grooming session will prevent alot of stomping , swishing, kicking,, etc.

I have been told that regular worming with Ivermectin, every 4-6 weeks in additon to other wormers will keep ticks from staying attached. They will still bite, but will not remain. The ivermectin paralyzes them.

[kmarinelli]

Thanks for the post! I will definitely try the Noxema, I have never heard that one before and always wondered how to keep the ears nice.....

[Scarberry2003]

Another insect tip,,,,,,, worming with Ivermectin every month during tick season will keep ticks from attaching. It paralyzes them when they bite. Unforturnately it doesn't keep them from biting,, but it will keep them from sticking around once they do.

[CarolsCritterCare]

Originally Posted by Scarberry2003

Take a large lemon with a thick rind and slice thinly. Place in a bowl with a few sprigs of rosemary and cover both in boiling water. Allow to steep overnight and strain the mixture the following morning. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake before applying. A similar response seems to be had by doing the same with leaves, stems and flowers from Elder bushes. (Slipping flowering elder twigs through your horse’s browband can also act as a fly repellent.)

This one also works great for the potbelly pigs!
Carol

[dgridley]

Getting alot of flies around here lately with all the humidity it makes it doubly unbearable..

[forest_hermit]

The repellent using the white wine vinegar & water.... plus the detergent and essential oil... are there specific amounts of each? Also, do you mean you can choose just one of the essential oils...or a bit of each of those?

Thanks for you time!