Stuff that works the best and sticks around the longest is the nasty oil based crap from smartpak, or at least that does it here. It's OutSmart Fly spray, I use that in a spray bottle and put some skin so soft in there too probably 4oz of it.

It's not perfect but I have two very sensitive horses who get covered in welts and the welts aren't so bad when I use this haha.

 

So far for me Pyranha’s aerosol insecticide spray has worked the best, but it looks like that has the same ingredients as their yellow.
There is a paste called War Paint that works well, but that is for more localized spots like belly’s, etc. Scarlet oil seems to work ok in a similar sense.
Masks, and do what you can on certain spots! 😂
Things like fly predators and traps, with trying to spray pens, seem to work the most reliably.

 

If we could invent a fly spray that actually, like, repelled flies and bitey things…we would make a fortune or 3. I bought fly spray today, standing there wondering how much money I wanted to waste, being fairly sure that the best I could hope for was a fly free hour!

 

I have a bunch of masks, a fly sheet that doesn't get used enough, fly traps and fly paper.
Its a losing battle. I saw some wipes and I am wondering about those.
I use Skin so Soft for the face area and that usually lasts for about 10 minutes. I like the smell of it though, so I keep using it.
I will try the Outsmart see how that goes. Heck, if I am going to waste my money it may be on trying new stuff.

 

The bitey bugs here in the woods don't care if you are lit on fire, they will risk it and getcha!

 

We had property up in the mountains that bordered timber land that we used as a get away and place to ride the horses. Being up in elevation winters were tough so no riding, spring was wet and muddy so no riding, fall was hunting season so no riding. The summer time was perfect.....except that was the short window of life for all bugs. Ground bees, biting gnats, attack flies that could bite a bear and care, and mosquitos that were more aggressive than an army at war. The summer dry heat also made that one time of year hard to enjoy.

Between all the extra work owning that property and the short window of opportunity to ride it was not worth it.

Around my house we hang stink bags to catch the flies, spray or wipe down the horses, and use masks. We are lucky there are no biting monster flies around here to deal with.

 

Ugh... this year is ridiculous. Even my neighbors that use feed through repellents are frustrated.

Swat is working around gelding's wound (it's covered) and mare's sun sensitive nose. For her, I put a dab of Desitin (diaper rash cream) in my palm. And a smaller dab of Swat. Mix them together and apply to her muzzle. She flattens her ears and narrows her eyes but is well mannered.

I think Endure claims to last 24 hours. The flies laugh. Even I laugh.

 

@waresbear: SO FUNNY! True, too, I bet.

@Spartan48 : I use the same. I have a problem with the spray & wipe, so I have to use the aerosol because of how more lightly dispersed the product is.

Y'all know Chuck has an eye shield/fly mask on 24/7. As you might imagine, he does not have much hair on his face, but the chance of corneal ulcers is too great without the eye protection. I do change his mask/shield out everyday for a fresh set. I fly spray his legs a few times a day to limit stamping. I pretty much let him stay dirty and he rolls in the sand to coat himself. I do eyeball for sores because you know Chuck is prone to those and I treat those if necessary. And I really have realized, the dirtier he is the more comfortable he seems. And he's a mess right now between that and the sweating that has started again. I know when he needs to get away from the bugs, he usually in the area that has the fan running.

It's 930pm. See pix.

The next three days we're supposed to be around 96° f with a feel like temperature close to 110.

Oh, I'm on my third t-shirt for today.

 

We're close!

 

I've been using Manna Pro Pros Force. Cheaper than most and works the same 10 minutes as the more expensive ones. I'll also buy some cheap concentrate and add a little to every bottle.

The new discovery for this year is using the Flying Insect killer stuff in a spray can to spray the barn floor. It was in desperation that I tried this to keep the flies from eating up my legs while doing cleaning duty. Deep Woods Off was not doing the job so I had to try something and that stuff works pretty durn good and for a couple of days between sprays. Expensive to use in that manner, yes, but I and the horses appreciate the relief. At first the horses ran out of the barn when I would spray and now they've figured out its purpose and they don't budge. LOL I may even give their lower legs a little spray (after testing on myself of course) while I'm at it. So far I've used Hot Shot and Black Flag brands and I think the Hot Shot works a little longer.

 

I've been using equiderma fly spray works pretty good here lasting over an hour even keeps deer flies and horseflies away which we have plenty of.

The house like flies that bite are horrible Put out 3 fly traps today there already a 1/4 full of flies. Mosquitos are out but not to bad so far . My barn is bug free so horses get out of bugs for the day turn them out at dark.

The fly sprays listed don't work pretty much a waste of money can't use them anymore ice is seriously allergic to all of listed fly sprays.

Finding equiderma fly spray to be pretty darn good expensive but worth it.

 

I think the "problem" with fly sprays for horses and other animals is, that they are not allowed to contain some of the chemical stuff that really works. On the other hand, I really don't want to try some of that stuff on my horse!
What I buy for myself, I wouldn't dare put on the sensitive skin of my horse! As nothing else works for me, I usually get a good stock of sprays containing a high % of DEET whenever we are on vacation in Asia or other tropical countries. I know it's not healthy, but I do prefer putting that on my clothes to being eaten alive 🙈

What I found works for the horses at least for a couple of hours are sprays containing neem oil. Most of the others just smell nice, but don't do much to keep the bugs away.

 

I agree, the sprays don't work well. I don't worry much since my current horses aren't allergic to flies.

When I had a horse with sweet itch and it mattered, I used a high percentage DEET spray. That does work. I only sprayed the areas midges bite. Base of mane, tail, belly, a few spritzes elsewhere.

 

I think they make food with anti fly technology in them… I think it makes it so the flies can’t breed in their poops. Has anyone tried that? The flies are REALLY bad this year in Minnesota because we didn’t have a real winter for the… 3rd year in a row.

I still use the fly spray because while it doesn’t work 100% I am still convinced that it does help a little bit.

 

There are two types. One is IGR (Insect Growth Regulator) based. These products pass through the horse's digestive system and into the manur. They'll prevent fly larvae from developing into adults. Repellent feed through products contain garlic or apple cider vinegar which are absorbed by the horse and create a scent that flies find unappetizing.

 

Years ago (as a teenager) I swore by skin so soft. Me and my brothers used it for ourselves and I used it on my horses. I haven't tried it in years but the flies have been so awful this year I'm thinking about trying it again.

Last year we mixed vinegar and fly spray, it was rank smelling but it worked.

 

It's so bad. I live in an area that's AWFUL with biting insects. There are beautiful trails not far from me. I finally did all the work of getting Elle ready for solo trail riding, and feeling pretty confident out there. And then... no riding on them from mid-May to late September, no matter how much fly protection you use, unless you want to endure endless torture.

I lived in a different bug-heavy area as a kid, but we were able to ride the trails in the summer and it was nowhere near as bad, ever. The bug spray then seemed to actually do something. Maybe it had ingredients that have since been banned for good reasons. 😕 But I'd pay big money for it now, LOL! Or maybe the bugs have just gotten resistant in the intervening 30+ years.

 

@SteadyOn It's probably a combination of both: ingredients have been banned or are only allowed in a very low percentage and bugs have gotten resistant to certain stuff. ... It's like the DEET sprays I use for myself. I purchase them in Asia and other tropical countries while on vacation, because what I can get at home has either a very low DEET percentage or none at all and won't help me

 

We were just talking about this. Flies have also been horrid here and we live on a creek, so anytime you go anywhere near...oh my gosh.

Huey and I went out last night to move cows off the creek, so I left his fly boots on, used Swat on his poor belly and chest, and doused him I'm the yellow Pyrahnna spray. Two minutes in he was tossing his head, stomping, covered in deer flies. Good use of money. Thankfully as we moved away from the creek it settled a bit so we could actually enjoy our ride but I'd pay good money for one that actually works (especially since I already pay good money for one that lasts 2 minutes ).

I will say the Swat helps a lot. Huey in particular has sensitive skin. He gets allergies meds daily but still gets horrible welts from the Buffalo Gnats. I take a paintbrush and slather his chest with Swat and thats made a big difference. Now he comes running when he sees the paintbrush!

 

My farrier (when I had one) recommended Gordon's Horse and Pony spray, so I tried that for a couple of years. It was quite expensive, so I went back to my home-made spray of Skin So Soft, citronella, and vinegar. About 1/5 SSS, 1/5 citronella, fill it mostly with vinegar, and complete the fill with water. It works as good as anything else. If you think your spray doesn't work, try riding with no spray at all. That is even worse. Now days SSS is super expensive, so I don't think I save any money by making my own.

If you do decide to make your own (it only takes a minute--very easy), buy "real" citronella, not the stuff they sell at Wal Mart for tiki torches. You can order it online, as well as the SSS.

Again, I will repeat. If you think your fly spray is worthless, go for a ride or two with no spray. You will see that it helps, although at the time, it doesn't seem like much.

 

I went back to my home-made spray of Skin So Soft, citronella, and vinegar. About 1/5 SSS, 1/5 citronella, fill it mostly with vinegar, and complete the fill with water.

If you do decide to make your own (it only takes a minute--very easy), buy "real" citronella, not the stuff they sell at Wal Mart for tiki torches. You can order it online, as well as the SSS.

I can't won't do Skin So Soft as it gives me a migraine....guess a form of allergic reaction.
Even on people, I have to leave the vicinity of get sick, literally along with awful headache is worse to vomit.

I order my citronella oil online. NEVER, ever use tiki torch stuff.
Amazon has and I have found it also at Dover, Stateline Tack and Jeffers. Those are my go to locations when I need "stuff".
A little bit goes a long ways.

I use Repel concentrate, add citronella oil & water...shake well before spraying evrytime.

I never tried the vinegar....
So, is it white vinegar or a different variety used?
That twang scent might just make it work and bite the flies before they bite the horses....interesting.
Can't wait to make the new mixture and see my husband come in with nose twitching... "What did you do?"
🐎...

 

So many variables when it comes to fly control. Geographical location makes a huge difference. In my area flies can be really bad on a horse farm but it can be managed. My boarding farms new owner is obsessed with the flies and tries everything she can to reduce them. I can say that they are significantly reduced over previous years. The flies are much worse around the barns but keeping things clean along with many fly traps helps a lot. Out in the pasture the horses are more comfortable since there’s less flies around. There’s only 10 mares on 30 acres and maybe 12 geldings on the other 30 acres . My horses wear Shoofly boots, a light spray of Bronco, and some Swat on the ears and face.

 

The flies have been especially bad here too this year. Not so much in the pasture, but in the pens. and we clean pens regularly.

what I have found to work is EcoVet and Pyrhana yellow label (it makes some of mine get hives also) together. Or EcoVet and Endure.

Another good combo is Natures Force and Endure - the nature's force doesn't last as long but endure does.

 

With bugs being so bad we are riding after dark use reflective gear on horses an reflective vest an headlamps for us.

Way more pleasant riding at night!

 

I made a DIY fly spray this year with white vinegar, citronella EO, Lemongrass EO, peppermint EO, eucalyptus EO, & a splash of show sheen-type stuff all with a dash of water. It’s not 100% but it seems to do pretty good. The addition of show sheen stuff started out as kind of an accident because I was re-using a spray bottle that still had some in it. It seems to keep the spray on the surface of their coat where it can repel the best. The EOs I chose are the same ones I use in my personal bug-off spray, except I mix mine with witch hazel instead of vinegar. I did a spot test to make sure the EOs & the other stuff mixed with the show sheen didn’t bother their skin.

 

Im fighting the insects here in in Southern Idaho as well. Hence my post asking about fly boots last week.

The usual, off the shelf pre mixed fly sprays are not working.
Swat slathered on the midline, teats(not nursing nor bred mare), between the jowls, around eyes and ears.
Fly sheet with a neck cover. I can't keep a fly mask on her. Shes learned how to hook it on the fence and pull it off.

Beyond the black, deer, horse flies, blood sucking knats, my mosquitoes are bad.
I won't say it works, but its the best I've found-

I bought a jug of 10% Permethrin to experiment on making my own fly spray. I found a recipe to start as the base. Only other thing I had to buy was citronella. (And not the tiki torch oil like mentioned above!)

Recipe as follows if others want to try it-
In a 32 Oz. bottle
2 Oz. Permethrin 10%
1/2 C. Apple cider vinegar
1/2 C. Witch Hazel
1 Tbs. Mineral oil
10 drops citronella
10 drops eucalyptus
10 drops peppermint
Fill to 32 Oz. line with water. Shake before each use.

Because I have most of the ingredients, its cheaper than buying remixed spray .

Ive watched TikToks about using Old Spice deodorant and a couple other things but haven't tried it.

I wonder if insects get "nose numb"? Thought about rotating sprays or changing the scents a bit to keep them deterred since these sprays only work for a short time?
Just a thought...

 

40% DEET!!! That stuff is NOT messing around, LOL. I'm a bit envious.

 

Be careful if you're making your own with essential oils, because some can cause serious eye problems if the horse rubs it on their eye.

We tried skin-so-soft a few years ago. Maybe the flies are different in the PacNW, but they came in droves to see what smelled so lovely.

I avoid Bronco Gold because my horse broke out in big hives when I used it. When I searched online, many horses had this same reaction so it wasn't just a rare allergy.

 

Be careful if you're making your own with essential oils, because some can cause serious eye problems if the horse rubs it on their eye.

Agreed, I typically use just the Swat on the face. I'm glad you brought that up, as they still itch their nose and eyes on their knees and fetlocks.
I also do not use DEET on the same spot same time as fly spray with Permethrin. I use one or the other.