I have been focusing on the topic of fly protection for quite some time now. This article will provide you with all the information you need to make your own fly repellent spray using natural ingredients that are easy to find at any supermarket.
Especially with the warm season approaching, I want to ensure that my horse is protected from flies and insects. Why? The first reason that comes to mind is, of course, that you don’t want your horse to become stressed while trying to get rid of pesky flies that are bothering its eyes and body. However, there’s much more to it than that. Flies and insect bites can act as a vector for various viral diseases and contribute to the spread of dirt and bacteria from one horse to another. In this article about horse fly repellents, I have compiled an exhaustive list of all the possible diseases that can be transmitted by insects in the Gulf region.
If, like me, you are looking for every possible way to protect your horse from flies and ticks, I suggest you also take a look at this other article about fly protection gear for horses.
What do you need to make your own fly repellent spray?
To be honest, you don’t really need much.
All you need to get started is a clean spray bottle. You can buy very cheap ones at any local store or on Amazon or Noon. I highly recommend buying a new one to be used specifically for this purpose. Please, please, please, do not use old house cleaner spray bottles. Even if they are washed thoughtfully, they can still release toxic chemicals or smells after a long time.
Choosing the right essential oils
Essential oils are often the main ingredient in any DIY fly repellent spray. When picking the right essential oils, we want to make sure that the product selected is meant to be used on the skin.
How do you make sure of that?
The essential oils grading system
Essential oils come in four different grades: Synthetic, Fragrance Grade, Food Grade, and Therapeutic Grade.
The ones that you want to absolutely avoid are the synthetic oils. Those ones are in fact 100% made in the lab by using synthetic ingredients. Not only do they not offer any benefit if used for a fly spray repellent, but they can also be dangerous and provoke allergic reactions on the delicate horse skin.
Similar to the synthetic oils are the fragrance grade ones. Although these are often used in hair and skin care products to create a remarkable scent, they are to be avoided as well.
Food grade and therapeutic grade oils are the go-to when choosing any essential oil to be used for your homemade fly repellent horse spray. Although food grade oils are free of danger (since those oils are used for food, they do not contain any harmful chemicals), the absolute best choice would always be a therapeutic grade oil.
Food grade oils go through a high heat distillation process, while therapeutic oils are steam-distilled to make sure they preserve the integrity of the oil just as it is found in nature.
Not all oils are the same. Cheap and lower quality oils could cause rashes, burns, or any other kind of skin irritation in your horse.
Identify a trustworthy brand
Another important element to take into consideration when choosing an essential oil to make your own fly repellent spray is the brand reputation. Look for trustworthy brands that have been in the market for years.
For the ultimate warranty, choose a product that has been approved by the USFDA (if made for the USA market) or by OSS Middle East.
My favorite oils: I personally purchased different oils from the Soulflower Store on Amazon and I really love this brand. I particularly love the rosemary oil that I also use for my own and my husband’s hair care.
But now, let’s dive into the actual topic of this guide: how to make your own fly repellent spray? Here are four simple and effective recipes to follow:
1. Apple Vinegar and Essential Oils Spray
- Ingredients:
– 400ml of Apple cider vinegar (look for unfiltered, organic vinegar)
– Citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, cinnamon or camphor essential oils
- Instructions:
1. Mix 2 cups of apple cider vinegar and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle.
2. Add 10-20 drops of essential oils such as citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender, based on your personal preference.
3. Let the liquid rest for at least 30 minutes.
4. Shake well before use and spray onto your horse’s coat, avoiding the eyes and nose.
- Side benefits:
Apple cider vinegar can make your horse’s coat smooth and shiny while also protecting the skin from fungal and skin infections!
This is how my horse Yazan looks after I started spraying apple cider vinegar on his coat for once a week:
2. Lemon and Witch Hazel Fly Repellent Spray
- Ingredients:
– 1 fresh lemon
– 200-300ml of witch hazel
– Lemongrass or Tea Tree essential oil
- Instructions:
1. Mix 1 cup of witch hazel and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle.
2. Add the juice of 1 lemon and 10-15 drops of essential oils.
3. Let it rest for at least 30 minutes before use.
4. Shake well before use and spray onto your horse’s coat, avoiding the eyes and nose.
- Side benefits:
Witch hazel is an uncommon but precious must-have product to keep at the barn as it can help remove grass or manure stains, especially on gray coats. Additionally, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, witch hazel can be used as a natural itch reliever and an alternative to hydrogen peroxide for cleaning small wounds.
3. Garlic and Vinegar Fly Repellent Spray
- Ingredients:
– 1 garlic head
– 200 ml of apple cider vinegar
- Instructions:
1. Peel and chop 10 garlic cloves and place them in a jar.
2. Cover the garlic with 1 quart of apple cider vinegar and let it sit for 24 hours.
3. Strain the garlic and vinegar mixture and transfer it to a spray bottle.
4. Shake well before use and spray onto your horse’s coat, avoiding the eyes and nose.
- Side benefits:
Garlic is known for its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, providing your horse with 360-degree protection against flies and fungal infections in just one application.
4. Ginger & Rosemary Fly Repellent
- Ingredients:
– 1 cup (200ml) of apple cider vinegar
– 2 tablespoons of freshly grated ginger
– 20 drops of rosemary essential oil
- Instructions:
1. Combine the apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
2. Add the freshly grated ginger to the mixture and let it steep for at least an hour.
3. Add the rosemary oil to the mixture.
4. Shake the spray bottle well to combine all the ingredients.
5. Spray the mixture onto your horse’s coat, being careful to avoid the eyes and nose.
- Alternative to the rosemary oil:
You can use fresh rosemary instead. To get the most benefits from the powerful combination of rosemary and ginger, boil them together in 300ml of dechlorinated water for at least 15 minutes. Filter the liquid obtained and mix it with the apple cider vinegar.
Side notes to consider when making your own fly repellent spray with natural ingredients:
When using natural ingredients, you must keep in mind that the protection offered by your DIY fly repellent spray may not last as long as commercial solutions. For this reason, you may want to consider applying the spray more often than you would with a commercial spray.
Natural ingredients are more sensitive to high temperatures and can deteriorate faster over time. Store your DIY fly repellent in a cool and shaded place at the barn and consider discarding it after one week.
Lastly, some ingredients, such as apple cider vinegar, may have a strong smell for horses. To gradually desensitize your horse to the smell, start by spraying the fly repellent only on the legs. Give it a couple of minutes before proceeding to the rest of the body.
The world of DIY is so vast that I’m sure there are still some great recipes for making your own fly repellent spray waiting to be discovered.
Do you want to share your own secret recipe? Leave it in the comments below!
