Best fly repellent?

[Geeamy]

Hello,

I’m wondering if anyone has any recommendations for good fly repellents? I did previously use Deosect, however since that appears to no longer be available I am now struggling to find an effective alternative!

I’ve tried Zoetis spot-on, which seems to have very little to no effect at controlling flies. I’ve also been applying a ‘normal’ fly spray but today I noticed that lasted less than an hour before the flies returned.

I would prefer something that is a bit longer-lasting (such as an alternative to deosect, if there is one), as I need my boy to be comfortable whilst I’m not there.

TIA!

 

[Squeak]

Is there a type of fly that's worse than others? E.g midges vs horsefly? As I often find I have to change tactics depending on which are the problem. Alternatively I do find fly rugs and masks can really help.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I just got deosect. Ill try and find where from. Alternatively if you want some, Ill send you some, will probably never use what I got as its so dilutable

 

[Barton Bounty]

I got mine from Bata Ltd but I see they are out of stock now

 

[tda]

Very dependent on your horse and what flies you get most of. I have one with sweet itch so use Benzyl benzoate based products as it works for her (and all the others too.)
I have used neem in the past, but recently tried a product Neem & Eucalyptus product but it didn't suit the Sweet itch girl so we'll stick with BB

 

[Barton Bounty]

I used a midge repellent from biteback, mixed with phaser. Deosect every two weeks, seems to be working

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I've never been one to use repellent. My boys go out in fly masks and rugs. Just recently my ridden one is sufficiently whilst I ride so I bought some phaser. It's brilliant. I think it would need reapplying throughout the day but just for riding its great.

 

[JenJ]

I've really struggled with mine this summer - I'd usually use deosect.

I've mostly used Tri-tec 14 and Flymac this summer instead. Neither are much good, but it's noticeable when I don't use them so they are having some effect.

I HATE fly season and I really miss deosect...

 

[Geeamy]

Very dependent on your horse and what flies you get most of. I have one with sweet itch so use Benzyl benzoate based products as it works for her (and all the others too.)
I have used neem in the past, but recently tried a product Neem & Eucalyptus product but it didn't suit the Sweet itch girl so we'll stick with BB

I think it’s honestly a mixture. He doesn’t have sweet itch or anything like that, but the other day he clearly got quite stressed out by the flies and spent a lot of time running around. It’s so annoying because the deosect worked so well, but now it’s not seemingly available anywhere.

 

[Geeamy]

I've really struggled with mine this summer - I'd usually use deosect.

I've mostly used Tri-tec 14 and Flymac this summer instead. Neither are much good, but it's noticeable when I don't use them so they are having some effect.

I HATE fly season and I really miss deosect...

I think that anything other than densect sees flies to some degree. I just want him to be comfortable - if there’s a few flies but he isn’t bothered by them then that’s not too much of an issue, but it’s when he’s visibly so uncomfortable.

 

[Geeamy]

I've never been one to use repellent. My boys go out in fly masks and rugs. Just recently my ridden one is sufficiently whilst I ride so I bought some phaser. It's brilliant. I think it would need reapplying throughout the day but just for riding its great.

We are currently trying yet another fly mask with my boy, but for some reason he hasn’t tolerated them in recent years. He has kept this one on so far, so hopefully it’s one he can cope with. I would consider a fly rug but I’m worried it will flatten his coat and therefore his ability to keep warm/dry come winter. He usually isn’t rugged in winter unless the weather is particularly bad with rain etc, as he simply doesn’t need it. But if this issue with flies continues I may have no choice other than to use one.

 

[Geeamy]

I used a midge repellent from biteback, mixed with phaser. Deosect every two weeks, seems to be working

I think if I could find the deosect then I wouldn’t have any issues, he never needed anything else once that had been applied. But I will have a look into the others you suggested, to see if they make any difference whilst I continue to hope I find the deosect.

 

[Geeamy]

I just got deosect. Ill try and find where from. Alternatively if you want some, Ill send you some, will probably never use what I got as its so dilutable

Honestly if there were a way to grab some you aren’t using I would! It would be so appreciated haha. If you say you got some recently I’ll keep an eye on the place you suggested though, purely because they might have access to it and just be temporarily out of stock because everyone is after it.

 

[Geeamy]

Is there a type of fly that's worse than others? E.g midges vs horsefly? As I often find I have to change tactics depending on which are the problem. Alternatively I do find fly rugs and masks can really help.

There is honestly a mixture. During the day it’s more horseflies, but then the midges also come out in the evenings. I’m currently trying yet another mask on him - he’s not tolerated masks as well in recent years for some reason. As a last resort I will consider a rug, too, but I want to keep a rug off him as much as possible to make sure his coat remains able to keep him warm and dry come winter time.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Honestly if there were a way to grab some you aren’t using I would! It would be so appreciated haha. If you say you got some recently I’ll keep an eye on the place you suggested though, purely because they might have access to it and just be temporarily out of stock because everyone is after it.

I dont mind sending you some, you literally need very little for dilution anyway and I got the 250ml bottle

 

[dorsetladette]

I use deosect or spot on depending on what is available. I usually get mine online (viovet or alternatives)

 

[Highmileagecob]

Zebra printed fly rug, with belly band and printed fly mask. Eucalyptus products seem to deter midges, but if your horse is running around, I would suspect you have bot flies. Don't worry about the rug flattening his coat. When the weather cools enough for him to fluff up, the flies will have gone.