There’s probably nothing that irritates your horse more in the warmer months than swatting flies away constantly. Any equine owner knows that flies can be a massive pain for your trotting buddies. Many commercial cleaners are harsh and not the best options for sensitive horse skin. Luckily, there are several options that you can make right in the comfort of your own home. With minimal ingredients that are both natural and fresh, you can repel those pesky flies once and for all—letting your horse enjoy a lovely day grazing in the pasture without any discomfort.
The Problem with Flies Flies can cause considerable irritation for horses over in the warmer months. Imagine just standing there minding your own business and having hundreds of flies crawling on you. It sounds miserable, right? Not only are flies just pesky, they can also bite your horse and irritate her skin. Some horses might be sensitive to the bites and suffer rashes or itching. No matter how they react, you need to make sure that you try to remove the problem as much as you can. Image By: JADA photos, Shutterstock Irritant Disclaimer Before you read about how to make these bug spray products, it is essential to understand that every ingredient has the potential to affect your horse negatively. Some horses will be more sensitive to other ingredients, so it’s necessary to look out for the signs. If there is any visible skin irritation or unusual symptoms, discontinue use immediately. It will be important to learn exactly what the trigger was to avoid it in the future.
The 5 DIY Homemade Fly Spray Recipes These homemade DIY fly sprays are from several different equine-loving websites. Many hands-on, experienced owners have developed their own unique sprays that are inexpensive and easy to make. Below are the ingredients and measurements for each of these sprays. You can check out each one to determine which you think would work best with your horses. You can even take a few of these ideas combining them to make your very own concoction. Many horse owners get creative and come up with all sorts of these recipes and test their effectiveness.
- Homemade Fly Spray
Print 4.75 from 4 votes
Easy Homemade Horse Fly Spray
This simple but effective recipe combines the power of a few simple ingredients. This combination repels flies quickly, as they don’t like any of the components. You can mix this concoction and pour it into a spray bottle to spray on it at your leisure.
Prep Time3 minsMixing Time5 minsTotal Time8 mins
Keyword: horse fly spray, horse recipes, horses EquipmentBowlFork or whiskSpray bottle Materials4 cups apple cider vinegar20 drops rosemary essential oil20 drops basil essential oil20 drops peppermint essential oil10 drops lemongrass essential oil2 tablespoons oil2 tablespoons dish soap InstructionsIn a bowl, combine all ingredients.Mix well with a fork or whisk.Pour your horse fly spray into a spray bottle.Spray on your horses as needed. NotesUnlike some others you will see on the list, this spray does not contain any water, so it isn’t diluted. For that reason, you need to be slightly careful about how many drops of essential oils you put in. Measure precise drops, and don’t overdo it.
- US Forest Service Bug Spray Recipe
Check Instructions HereIf you know any Avon sales reps, you might be able to pull this one off. Avon skin so soft has been widely revered for being a product true to its word. This recipe combines Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil with natural ingredients that should soothe and protect your horse’s delicate skin. Not to mention, this is a mixture that flies do not enjoy.
1 cup water
1 cup Avon Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil
2 cups vinegar
1 tbsp eucalyptus oil
Optional: 2 tbsp citronella oil
- Prairie Homestead Fly Spray Recipe
Check Instructions HereThis next recipe will take mostly natural ingredients mixed with a little bit of dish soap. This concoction is extremely easy to make, you just have to make sure that you have all of the listed essential oils to begin. This recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of oil which can be any you so choose. The recommendation would be olive oil, canola oil, or mineral oil. However, you can also use cold-pressed organic coconut oil as well. The only problem with coconut oil is that it can thicken depending on temperature. You need to make sure that the recipe is thin enough to mist through a squirt bottle.
4 cups raw apple cider vinegar
20 drops rosemary essential oil
20 drops basil essential oil
20 drops peppermint essential oil
2 tablespoons liquid oil
1 tablespoon dish soap
- Saddlebox 3-Ingredient Fly Spray
Check Instructions HereThis incredibly simple DIY fly spray by saddle box is convenient and safe. If you worry about all of the extra chemicals or worry that you will use the wrong essential oils, look no further. This simple recipe only takes three ingredients which are Apple cider vinegar water and dawn dish soap. Most people already have these items at home. Don’t worry about the effectiveness of this one, as many swear by its potency.
1 cup of water
2 cups apple cider vinegar
2 squirts of Dawn dish soap
- Reformation Acres Best Homemade Fly Spray
Check Instructions HereThis DIY fly spray combines a few unique essential oils with Bio Kleen concentrate. If you don’t have that on hand, you can always use regular dawn dish soap. This recipe was thought up after an owner was mortified by the number of chemicals they discovered in commercial fly sprays. This is supposed to be a natural alternative that is safe and healthy for our equine friends.
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1cup mineral oil
½ teaspoon lemongrass essential oil
½ teaspoon bitter orange essential oil
½ teaspoon citronella essential oil
¼ teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil
¼ teaspoon clove essential oil
2 tablespoons Bio Kleen concentrate or Dawn dish soap
Fly Spray: Final Thoughts Flies are annoying, and we all know that it’s true. Because many commercial sprays are dangerous to our beloved equines, throwing together your own recipe can provide them with relief while keeping them safe. If you decide to go off track a little bit with any of these recipes, make sure that you study each essential oil to make sure that you’re not going overboard with any of them. Some essential oils are toxic, especially in large quantities. Just make sure you’re mindful and keeping your horse’s best interest at heart.
Also See: Deer Fly vs Horse Fly: What’s the Difference? (With Pictures)
Featured Image: IRINA ORLOVA, Shutterstock
There’s probably nothing that irritates your horse more in the warmer months than swatting flies away constantly. Any equine owner knows that flies can be a massive pain for your trotting buddies. Many commercial cleaners are harsh and not the best options for sensitive horse skin.
Luckily, there are several options that you can make right in the comfort of your own home. With minimal ingredients that are both natural and fresh, you can repel those pesky flies once and for all—letting your horse enjoy a lovely day grazing in the pasture without any discomfort.
The Problem with Flies
Flies can cause considerable irritation for horses over in the warmer months. Imagine just standing there minding your own business and having hundreds of flies crawling on you. It sounds miserable, right?
Not only are flies just pesky, they can also bite your horse and irritate her skin. Some horses might be sensitive to the bites and suffer rashes or itching. No matter how they react, you need to make sure that you try to remove the problem as much as you can.
Irritant Disclaimer
Before you read about how to make these bug spray products, it is essential to understand that every ingredient has the potential to affect your horse negatively. Some horses will be more sensitive to other ingredients, so it’s necessary to look out for the signs.
If there is any visible skin irritation or unusual symptoms, discontinue use immediately. It will be important to learn exactly what the trigger was to avoid it in the future.
The 5 DIY Homemade Fly Spray Recipes
These homemade DIY fly sprays are from several different equine-loving websites. Many hands-on, experienced owners have developed their own unique sprays that are inexpensive and easy to make.
Below are the ingredients and measurements for each of these sprays. You can check out each one to determine which you think would work best with your horses.
You can even take a few of these ideas combining them to make your very own concoction. Many horse owners get creative and come up with all sorts of these recipes and test their effectiveness.
1. Homemade Fly Spray
Print 4.75 from 4 votes
Easy Homemade Horse Fly Spray
This simple but effective recipe combines the power of a few simple ingredients. This combination repels flies quickly, as they don’t like any of the components. You can mix this concoction and pour it into a spray bottle to spray on it at your leisure.
Prep Time3 minsMixing Time5 minsTotal Time8 mins
Keyword: horse fly spray, horse recipes, horses EquipmentBowlFork or whiskSpray bottle Materials4 cups apple cider vinegar20 drops rosemary essential oil20 drops basil essential oil20 drops peppermint essential oil10 drops lemongrass essential oil2 tablespoons oil2 tablespoons dish soap InstructionsIn a bowl, combine all ingredients.Mix well with a fork or whisk.Pour your horse fly spray into a spray bottle.Spray on your horses as needed. NotesUnlike some others you will see on the list, this spray does not contain any water, so it isn’t diluted. For that reason, you need to be slightly careful about how many drops of essential oils you put in. Measure precise drops, and don’t overdo it.
- US Forest Service Bug Spray Recipe
Check Instructions HereIf you know any Avon sales reps, you might be able to pull this one off. Avon skin so soft has been widely revered for being a product true to its word.
This recipe combines Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil with natural ingredients that should soothe and protect your horse’s delicate skin. Not to mention, this is a mixture that flies do not enjoy.
4.75 from 4 votes
Easy Homemade Horse Fly Spray
This simple but effective recipe combines the power of a few simple ingredients. This combination repels flies quickly, as they don’t like any of the components. You can mix this concoction and pour it into a spray bottle to spray on it at your leisure.
Prep Time3 minsMixing Time5 minsTotal Time8 mins
Keyword: horse fly spray, horse recipes, horses
EquipmentBowlFork or whiskSpray bottle
Materials4 cups apple cider vinegar20 drops rosemary essential oil20 drops basil essential oil20 drops peppermint essential oil10 drops lemongrass essential oil2 tablespoons oil2 tablespoons dish soap
InstructionsIn a bowl, combine all ingredients.Mix well with a fork or whisk.Pour your horse fly spray into a spray bottle.Spray on your horses as needed.
NotesUnlike some others you will see on the list, this spray does not contain any water, so it isn’t diluted. For that reason, you need to be slightly careful about how many drops of essential oils you put in. Measure precise drops, and don’t overdo it.
Check Instructions Here
If you know any Avon sales reps, you might be able to pull this one off. Avon skin so soft has been widely revered for being a product true to its word.
1 cup water
1 cup Avon Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil
2 cups vinegar
1 tbsp eucalyptus oil
Optional: 2 tbsp citronella oil
- Prairie Homestead Fly Spray Recipe
Check Instructions HereThis next recipe will take mostly natural ingredients mixed with a little bit of dish soap. This concoction is extremely easy to make, you just have to make sure that you have all of the listed essential oils to begin.
This recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of oil which can be any you so choose. The recommendation would be olive oil, canola oil, or mineral oil. However, you can also use cold-pressed organic coconut oil as well.
1 cup water
1 cup Avon Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil
2 cups vinegar
1 tbsp eucalyptus oil
Optional: 2 tbsp citronella oil
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup Avon Skin-So-Soft Bath Oil
- 2 cups vinegar
- 1 tbsp eucalyptus oil
- Optional: 2 tbsp citronella oil
This next recipe will take mostly natural ingredients mixed with a little bit of dish soap. This concoction is extremely easy to make, you just have to make sure that you have all of the listed essential oils to begin.
The only problem with coconut oil is that it can thicken depending on temperature. You need to make sure that the recipe is thin enough to mist through a squirt bottle.
4 cups raw apple cider vinegar
20 drops rosemary essential oil
20 drops basil essential oil
20 drops peppermint essential oil
2 tablespoons liquid oil
1 tablespoon dish soap
- Saddlebox 3-Ingredient Fly Spray
Check Instructions HereThis incredibly simple DIY fly spray by saddle box is convenient and safe. If you worry about all of the extra chemicals or worry that you will use the wrong essential oils, look no further. This simple recipe only takes three ingredients which are Apple cider vinegar water and dawn dish soap.
Most people already have these items at home. Don’t worry about the effectiveness of this one, as many swear by its potency.
4 cups raw apple cider vinegar
20 drops rosemary essential oil
20 drops basil essential oil
20 drops peppermint essential oil
2 tablespoons liquid oil
1 tablespoon dish soap
- 4 cups raw apple cider vinegar
- 20 drops rosemary essential oil
- 20 drops basil essential oil
- 20 drops peppermint essential oil
- 2 tablespoons liquid oil
- 1 tablespoon dish soap
This incredibly simple DIY fly spray by saddle box is convenient and safe. If you worry about all of the extra chemicals or worry that you will use the wrong essential oils, look no further. This simple recipe only takes three ingredients which are Apple cider vinegar water and dawn dish soap.
1 cup of water
2 cups apple cider vinegar
2 squirts of Dawn dish soap
- Reformation Acres Best Homemade Fly Spray
Check Instructions HereThis DIY fly spray combines a few unique essential oils with Bio Kleen concentrate. If you don’t have that on hand, you can always use regular dawn dish soap.
This recipe was thought up after an owner was mortified by the number of chemicals they discovered in commercial fly sprays. This is supposed to be a natural alternative that is safe and healthy for our equine friends.
1 cup of water
2 cups apple cider vinegar
2 squirts of Dawn dish soap
- 1 cup of water
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar
- 2 squirts of Dawn dish soap
This DIY fly spray combines a few unique essential oils with Bio Kleen concentrate. If you don’t have that on hand, you can always use regular dawn dish soap.
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1cup mineral oil
½ teaspoon lemongrass essential oil
½ teaspoon bitter orange essential oil
½ teaspoon citronella essential oil
¼ teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil
¼ teaspoon clove essential oil
2 tablespoons Bio Kleen concentrate or Dawn dish soap
Fly Spray: Final Thoughts
Flies are annoying, and we all know that it’s true. Because many commercial sprays are dangerous to our beloved equines, throwing together your own recipe can provide them with relief while keeping them safe.
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1cup mineral oil
½ teaspoon lemongrass essential oil
½ teaspoon bitter orange essential oil
½ teaspoon citronella essential oil
¼ teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil
¼ teaspoon clove essential oil
2 tablespoons Bio Kleen concentrate or Dawn dish soap
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1cup mineral oil
- ½ teaspoon lemongrass essential oil
- ½ teaspoon bitter orange essential oil
- ½ teaspoon citronella essential oil
- ¼ teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil
- ¼ teaspoon clove essential oil
- 2 tablespoons Bio Kleen concentrate or Dawn dish soap
If you decide to go off track a little bit with any of these recipes, make sure that you study each essential oil to make sure that you’re not going overboard with any of them. Some essential oils are toxic, especially in large quantities. Just make sure you’re mindful and keeping your horse’s best interest at heart.
- Also See: Deer Fly vs Horse Fly: What’s the Difference? (With Pictures)
Featured Image: IRINA ORLOVA, Shutterstock
