Recipe for fly spray

[Wolf]

I was given a recipe for fly spray the other week which appears to work extremely well. The ingredients are a bit suspect, but it does work and seems to repel most of the nasties.

1) 500ml Listerine mouthwash (don't taste this stuff like I did it's bl**dy awful!)
2) 350ml Apple Cider Vinegar
3) 250m skin-so-soft (although any light baby oil would be ok - conditions skin)
4) squirt of fairy

Any oils such as lavender or tea-tree can be added.

Remember to shake well before each application.

does anybody else have recipes for good fly spray, or anyone used this one before?

[Lydia00]

wow great! ive always wanted to know how to make it! Do you know of any side affects that this can give? Skin irrotations etc? Im definatly going to try it though! Thanks

[Wolf]

It's always best to try a test area on your horse before using it all over. There are other recipes knocking around, but most of these contain tea .. not good for greys because it stains.

[gill]

I have used diluted detol for the last two years and not a bite in sight, before this he was bitten to pieces. It works for me so I am sticking with it.

[Lydia00]

detol?? wow never heard of that one before!

[madferret]

I can vouch for the Avon Skin So Soft - I use it on mine and me! The soft and fresh one contains citronella and is the only one that works. It used to be called woodland fresh.
I happen to be an Avon lady (in my spare time!) so if anyone wants any give me a shout its £2.50 a bottle plus postage

[LC]

I would be careful using a lot of oil in the recipe especially on light skinned horses as the oil can burn them, the same way as putting oil on our skin fries us!

[stef]

I just use a general fly spray usually. But im definateky gona try your recipe! I also feed grated/chopped garlic mixed with other feeds as it is a really good fly repellent! and cheap too!!! i find this one of the best ways that ihave tried, however when the horses are not having feeds and living out then it obviously cant be given!! i get around this because my horse is on very little grass so requires a small feed when the grass goes so this method wont work for everyone but it certainly works for me!!!
thanks for the recipe!

[sarak]

Ooh, interesting recipe Wolf!

I tend to use pre-mixed, concentrated aromatherapy oils and then dilute them down and add a bit of neem oil. Seems to work just as well as shop bought ones, and much cheaper!

[Wolf]

I thought I might as well post my old recipe too. It's reasonably effective, but it doesn't disuade the bots.. A nightmare at this time of year... makes 2 litres

Ingredients;-
5 tea bags
25 ml citronella oil
50ml metholated spirits
75ml Cider vinegar
squirt of Fairy liquid

Method;
Make a really strong pot of tea with the teabags and let it go cold.
Get an empty 2 litre pop bottle (and write "fly spray" on it if you've got kids )
put the vinegar, citronella and meths into the bottle
add the cold tea
give it a shake, then add a squirt of fairy
top up the bottle with cold water.

Use an old spray bottle and spray liberally (helps if you remember to shake before use)

Stef.. 2 of mine are on short grass due to them being prone to laminitus.. They don't seem to be bothered by the flies so much. I'm not sure whether the garlic helps or not as all mine are on it + biotin

[Margaret D]

My boy is just getting over either a wasp or bee sting, under his fly sheet for goodness sake! He is on anhystamine (sp) tablets by the truck load and some really vile stuff, but it works!! It can only be bought from your vet and than it has to be diluted down. BARRICADE (DILUTE 1 PART TO 50 OF WATER)