Introduction
Flies are inevitable in the summer season. No matter where you keep your horse – flies will be a problem in the hot times of summer. Horses living in rural areas or a stable in a city, may suffer from painful bites caused by horse-flies. These flies are not only irritating but also spread germs to humans or other animals that come in contact with them. Flies can transmit diseases and can even lead to allergic reactions. There are many remedies that can help get rid of these flies and make the lives of our equine companions safer and more comfortable.
There are two most common defenses –
Summer is the peak season when these flies start coming in swarms and attack our favorite barnyard animals. You can buy a fly spray for horses from the store or make one at home using natural ingredients available easily. Both of these options can help you keep the pests away, and your horse will be grateful and happier.
Before you decide to make a fly spray for your horse, you need to know that it is often considered safer from an environmental perspective. At the same time, it has many challenges to be tackled due to the suitability of ingredients while trying to make a natural homemade horse fly spray.
There are many easy spray recipes to make a fly spray for horses at home. These contain natural ingredients usually available at home or at local stores. Horses may also feel comfortable with the familiar smells of these sprays. Homemade spray recipes for horse fly sprays have many advantages. But this option may also have some challenges for the horse owners.
Here are some commonly used sprays, their challenges and advantages. This will also guide you on some Common ingredients to be avoided for the wellbeing of your horse.
Perhaps one of the most enticing newer sprays within the last decade. With an essential oil-based horse fly spray, you can confuse and drive the flies away. The major benefit to this is that there are no harsh chemicals like other options, and it stays as a natural product for horse care.
The tough part: The essential oil has to be diluted enough to ensure that the skin does not get irritated and yet be strong enough to prevent flies from landing, and it’s also a plus to mask the original smell of horses, manure and regular barnyard scents. More aromatic oils like mint oil, lavender oil, or similar essential oils can be used with a carrier oil to create a homemade fly repellent. Before applying it, a skin patch test is necessary to check that the horse is not allergic to your diy fly spray.
Now – here are some absolute do not do’s that we often see in natural fly repellents or diy homemade fly sprays. Also – don’t get lured into the “different horse breeds” react differently conversation – this can be said of all horses as they all have different tolerances and sensitivities.
Precautions to be taken while making and using a homemade spray
Conclusion
When you groom your horse every day and keep the surrounding areas clean, then the possibilities of flies reduce. But these are relentless pests that may pester the horses from time to time, especially during the summer season.
You can make a spray at home with the different ingredients listed above, becareful as to not overdo the mixture’s or your horse could wind up with a number of skin issues or even worse – infections.
DIY Fly Spray’s are great – if you get the right amount of oil’s or ingredients that actually prevent flies from landing, bugging, and biting your horse. Likewise, having too much of these ingredients can become harmful to you or your horse’s skin, eyes or ears. The challenge is finding the perfect mixture of efficacy and potency – enough to repel, but not enough to harm or hurt.
Here at Stop Bugg’n – we have a tried and true recipe full of the perfect mixture (Not too much, and not too little) of non-chemical, organic base and oils. As an owner, you know your horse the best, and the pet depends on you for good health and care. Use a spray that suits his skin and temperament.
The spray should not irritate the skin or eyes. The horse should be comfortable with the smell and feel of the spray.
You will have to attack these flies using multiple approaches.
Use a good spray to repel the flies. (We recommend our – Organic Fly Spray – of course)
Keep your horse clean.
Keep your stable clean.
Keep enjoying each and every day with your horse partner and friend.
If you don’t want to go through the hassle of perfecting the right amount of ingredients, go ahead and grab a bottle of our perfectly mixed, organic fly spray.