Last Updated on October 18, 2021 by Cristina
Flies can be a real nuisance for horses, however, some horses can’t tolerate fly sprays with harsh chemicals. Fortunately, the best natural fly spray for horses is a great alternative to the traditional option. Natural fly sprays offer a safe and effective way to keep your horse safe from flies and other biting insects.
The great thing about natural fly spray is that there are recipes you can make on your own. Not only does this give you total control over all the ingredients that go in the fly spray, but it is also more affordable than buying regular fly spray. In addition, natural fly spray often has a pleasant smell and can even be safe for humans and dogs.
Best Natural Fly Spray For Horses
Though many people opt to make their own natural fly spray, there are also some great natural fly sprays you can buy. They are an ideal option for horses with sensitive skin or for those simply wanting to avoid harsh chemicals.
Fortunately, there are some great natural horse fly sprays on the market that are safe and effective. They rely on essential oils such as citronella, peppermint, clove, mint, thyme, lemongrass, and cedarwood. These are natural ingredients that flies and other bugs do not like.
Though natural fly sprays can be effective, they generally need to be applied to your horse more often. Generally, you should spray your horse once or twice a day with your natural fly repellant.
In addition, be sure to test it out first on a small part of your horse to ensure they don’t have an adverse reaction. Though natural fly sprays are a wonderful option for horses with sensitive skin, some horses may have a bad reaction to the ingredients. However, this is uncommon in natural repellents.
In addition to using fly spray, it is also a good idea to use fly masks and fly sheets. They work well with the addition of fly spray to keep your horse protected from bugs.
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Farnam Nature’s Defense Concentrate Botanical Fly Repellent
This natural fly repellent repels against horn, stable, horse, house, and deer flies, along with mosquitoes and gnats. It contains citronella oil, clove oil, mint oil, and thyme oil that work to safely keeping bugs at bay. It is a water-based formula so it won’t leave an oily residue.
Free from alcohol, preservatives, and additives, making it is a great option for horses with sensitive skin. It even has a refreshing scent that is much better than most fly sprays.
Pyranha Zero-Bite Natural Insect Repellent for Horses, Dogs, and Cats
Safe and effective, this botanically-based repellent can be used on horses, dogs, and cats. In addition, it can even be used on ferrets and other caged animals.
The combination of geraniol, clove oil, and peppermint create a wonderful formula for fighting off pesky flies. Not only is it effective on various types of flies, but also lice, ticks, mosquitoes, gnats, and fleas.
Absorbine UltraShield Green All-Natural Fly Spray for Horses & Dogs
This water-based all-natural formula is safe to use on both horses and dogs. It will leave horse’s coats shiny while also having a pleasant smell.
This repellent contains geraniol, cedarwood oil, clove oil, thyme oil, lemongrass oil, citronella oil, and rosemary oil. It is gentle on horses, but tough on flies, mosquitoes, and ticks.
Homemade Horse Fly Spray
For those wanting to make their own DIY horse fly spray, there are many great recipes you can use. They are simple to make and are often cost-effective. In addition, you can easily adjust the recipes based on the amount of repellent you need.
Homemade Fly Spray Dawn Dish Soap
Besides washing dishes, Dawn Dish Soap has several uses. It can be used in a fly spray to effectively keep bugs away. For Dawn Dish Soap fly spray, you will need:
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 2 cups water
- 2/3 cup Dawn dish soap
Mix all of the repellent ingredients together and add to a spray bottle. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients before every use.
Essential Oil Fly Spray for Horses
Essential oils not only smell good, but they also work well to keep bugs away. They are safe to use and have many benefits for people and horses. This Homemade Fly Spray is a great recipe to use for your horses.
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup mineral oil
- ½ teaspoon lemongrass essential oil
- ½ teaspoon orange essential oil
- ¼ teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil
- ½ teaspoon citronella essential oil
- ¼ teaspoon clove essential oil
- 2 tablespoons Dawn dish soap
Add all of your ingredients to a spray bottle and thoroughly shake or mix it to combine. You may also need to shake it well before every use.
US Forest Service Bug Spray Recipe
One of the most popular bug spray recipes is the US Forest Service Bug Spray Recipe. It is a tried and true recipe that people not only use on horses but also themselves. The addition of Avon Skin-So-Soft Oil helps condition the coat.
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup Avon Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil
- 2 cups vinegar
- 1 tablespoon eucalyptus oil
- 2 tablespoons citronella oil
Combine all of your ingredients into a spray bottle, making sure they are well combined. Shake the bottle before use in case the ingredients separate over time.
The Benefits of Natural Fly Repellants
There are many advantages to switching to natural fly spray. Not only is it a safer option for you and your horse, but also the environment as well. They are free of harsh chemicals that can potentially be harmful.
Natural fly repellants are a great option for sensitive horses. Some horses aren’t able to tolerate the harsh ingredients in certain fly sprays. Natural-based formulas are much gentler while still providing the necessary protection for your horses and even other pets.
Do you have any questions regarding the best natural fly spray for horses? If so, please ask any questions regarding natural fly spray and the ingredients used in the comment section and also share this post with your fellow horse-loving friends and family.
