Anyone who has horses knows that fly spray is a must-have item come spring and summertime.
Because let’s face it, who wants to go on a ride with flying insects constantly buzzing around your horse? If you’re a do-it-yourselfer or just like to trim costs around the barn whenever you can, keeping a few supplies on hand in order to make your own fly spray is definitely a doable option.
The following are a few tried-and-true recipes to keep those pesky flies at bay, and you might want to try several of them to find one you like best.
Skin so Soft Recipe
- 6 caps full of Avon’s Skin So Soft
- 1 cup white vinegar
- A good squirt of Ivory liquid soap
- 20 ounces of water
Citrus Insect Repellant
- 2 cups light mineral oil
- 1/2 cup lemon juice
- 2 tsp. pure citronella essential oil*
- 2 tsp. eucalyptus essential oil
- 2 tsp. lemon dish soap
Easy Fly Spray
- 4-7 parts water
- 1 part citronella essential oil*
Natural Fly Spray
- 1 quart raw apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon citronella essential oil*
Eucalyptus Oil Fly Spray
- 2 cups white vinegar
- 1 tablespoon eucalyptus essential oil
- 1 cup water
*An important note about citronella oil: purchase 100% pure citronella essential oil from a health food store or online. Do NOT buy citronella oil from hardware or other stores that are meant for lanterns, tiki torches, etc., as it is flammable and not safe to put on your horse’s skin.
Of course, if you prefer a natural fly spray but would rather buy it instead of go through the hassle of making it, Ramm’s Zero-Bite® All Natural Insect Repellent comes in a handy one-gallon refill container. This safe and non-toxic repellent is made from geraniol, clove, and peppermint and can be used around horses, dogs, cats, and other small animals.
If you’re looking for other ways to reduce the number of flies and biting insects around your farm, check out this former blog post. And if you have your own favorite fly spray recipe, feel free to share in the comments!
