Fly spray recommendations?

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PipsqueakXy22

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Hi so it’s that time of year when flies out in full force. Im going through that many bottles of fly spray that I’m considering getting one of those 2.5 L tubs that can anyone recommend which brand is the best? (Not deosect)
Has anyone tried naf citronella and does it work?
If not what about phaser?
 
I use power phaser. I think it marginally helps but not against horse flies. I bought one of the 2.5 litre tubs this year and is by far more economical as I have 2 horses. I’ve bought zebra fly rugs this year and they’ve helped, especially my bay horse.

just to add, I’ve used quite a few fly repellents over the years and think power phaser has done the best.
 
I've used Biteback for sometime, I have a Sweet itch one so works for her and everyone else too.
Just tried and then bought some Icaridin based spray from the same company, smells good too
 
I don’t rate Naf Citronella for real heals with flies. It smells absolutely gorgeous and I could wear it myself but it’s rubbish as fly spray!

Last year my neighbour talked me into trying the same spray as she had.
neddycare.com

Fly spray & lotions

The best natural fly sprays & lotions to protect your horse or pony against nuisance flies. Gentle on sensitive skin. Particularly effective against biting Horse Flies species tabanidae/tabanus
neddycare.com neddycare.com

I first bought the cheaper one but have just purchased the more expensive (extra or plus maybe)
The flies by us this year, so far aren’t bad but I really do rate this stuff. It smells nice (the cheaper one smells best)

Other than that I’ve used phaser but the smell is horrendous and sticks in your nose!
 
JCW said:
I use power phaser. I think it marginally helps but not against horse flies. I bought one of the 2.5 litre tubs this year and is by far more economical as I have 2 horses. I’ve bought zebra fly rugs this year and they’ve helped, especially my bay horse.

just to add, I’ve used quite a few fly repellents over the years and think power phaser has done the best.
Click to expand...
Old Horse and his herd mates all wear this, from ears to tail. He has a full face fly mask on every day and also has a full neck and body Weatherbeata fly rug, but hasn't seemed to need it so far. Fingers crossed he won't, as he can be a determined rug shrugger if he decides he doesn't need one.
 
I believe it depends what area of the country you live and which species you have. Dr David Marlin did a survey, Power Phaser, deosect then Good Bye flys were the top 3. I don't like the serious chemicals so use Good Bye Flys (I accidently inhaled Power Phaser and felt grotty for 2 days). Horse flies are a lost cause as they hunt by sight but apparently if you doused your horse in a sufficiently potent chemical they wouldn't actually bite ie deet and the active ingredients of Power Phaser and Deosect. I would check you can bare the smell of Power Phaser before you buy in bulk, I can't stand it but that may be because it made me feel bad. The amount of deet in horse products is not strong enough
 
I have power phaser which was recommended to me as efficient but I am not sure if it works as I still see flies landing on the horse even after applying it.
I have set up a trap for horseflies and it seems to catch a lot of regular flies. It's an overturned black bucket that's covered in special glue to catch horseflies.
 
I bought power phaser when it first came out, it didn't work at all for me. I remember spraying my horse with it and flies including horse flies came and landed and bit before it had even dried. My red horse one works better, smells nicer and Saltidin/Icaridin isn't nearly as harsh as DEET.
 
poiuytrewq said:
I don’t rate Naf Citronella for real heals with flies. It smells absolutely gorgeous and I could wear it myself but it’s rubbish as fly spray!

Last year my neighbour talked me into trying the same spray as she had.
neddycare.com

Fly spray & lotions

The best natural fly sprays & lotions to protect your horse or pony against nuisance flies. Gentle on sensitive skin. Particularly effective against biting Horse Flies species tabanidae/tabanus
neddycare.com neddycare.com

I first bought the cheaper one but have just purchased the more expensive (extra or plus maybe)
The flies by us this year, so far aren’t bad but I really do rate this stuff. It smells nice (the cheaper one smells best)

Other than that I’ve used phaser but the smell is horrendous and sticks in your nose!
Click to expand...

I don't know if I've just missed the point on this one but I bought some - it smells great and horse didn't react to it BUT my horse doesn't like the flies landing on him because he anticipates that he's going to be bitten so I don't find this helps as he's still constantly swishing and stamping even if the flies wouldn't bite because he can't understand that they shouldn't be able to bite him. Do you find that the flies just stop landing on them after a while or that the horses stop reacting to being landed on?
 
I use Flypor on my ponies. It's not licenced for use in equines, but my vet has been happy for us to use (he actually mentioned it initially) and it's been a godsend. I was dubious but asked around and I know of several people who are using it on their horses with no issues in my area. Previously used gallons of power phaser but this is much more effective, and only has to be applied once a month/every 5 weeks. In the long run it's worked out much cheaper too - although it is expensive at first look, it's cheaper than the multiple bottles of power phaser I'd have been using in the same time frame.
 
It's depressing that Power Phaser is considered one of the best because it does so little for me! I've got a ride-on zebra fly rug which does seem to have made a huge difference, far more than the plain hi-viz one I used previously. Unfortunately, it doesn't stop them getting at her belly, which is still enough for her to tie herself in knots.
 
I have had the best success this year with a zebra print fly rug, fly mask, full neck and belly cover. My old boy reacts badly to horsefly bites, and is usually coughing by this time of year. I have watched the horseflies cruise along his body, then fly off to seek another victim. He didn't sweat under it either - it's just the cheapie combo from fleabay.
 
I can't abide the smell of phaser either but it seems to be more effective than others. I also use Avon skin so soft under my mare's tummy and her 'personal' bits... she doesn't like to be touched in this area. The flies hate it and I find it v effective. I don't like to use it on her upper body as it seems quite oily and I worry about sun burn, I spray legs and back with phaser.
 
Our horse flies seem to have disappeared this week not seen any and horses had no new bites, hopefully they have gone now as they are only around for a short while anyway 🥳
 
I like the hedgewitch icaradin. It’s kinda fun to watch all the flies drop off or otherwise depart after spraying it.
 
PipsqueakXy22 said:
Hi so it’s that time of year when flies out in full force. Im going through that many bottles of fly spray that I’m considering getting one of those 2.5 L tubs that can anyone recommend which brand is the best? (Not deosect)
Has anyone tried naf citronella and does it work?
If not what about phaser?
Click to expand...
I use a homemade fly spray made up of half blue Listerine and half Dettol
 
I’ve always used Bitebacks neem supreme but on recommendation of someone here I’ve been trying the Hot Horse spray. I think it’s better and bonus it smells like you’re at the spa!!
 
On Radio 4 Sliced Bread looked at insect repellents, mainly for mosquitos but also midges as the focus was human not horse.

There were 4 active ingredients that were identified as effective. Deet, IR3535, Picardin (also called icaridin or saltidin) which were the chemical ones. There was also one natural one PMD from lemon eucalyptus oil which was equally effective as the others but didn't last as long.
 
PipsqueakXy22 said:
Hi so it’s that time of year when flies out in full force. Im going through that many bottles of fly spray that I’m considering getting one of those 2.5 L tubs that can anyone recommend which brand is the best? (Not deosect)
Has anyone tried naf citronella and does it work?
If not what about phaser?
Click to expand...
power ohaser is so expensive so given up using it, i like flygone now, quiet spray as mare does not like it,
 
I have been using a tablespoon of eucalyptus oil, a tablespoon of white vinegar and two drops of washing up liquid topped up to a litre with water. It appears to be as effective as anything bought. This year Old Dobbin wore a full fly sheet, with mask and belly cover in a zebra print. The horse flies seemed confused and left him alone. Up to now he has not coughed - fly bites being one of his triggers. The rug came off when the weather changed, and fingers crossed we have seen the last of the horse flies.
 
I make my own 50/50 white vinegar and water. the a splash of dettol and essential oils. I tend to use citronella & Eucalyptus Oils (lemon Eycalyptus if i can get it) then depending on what i have to hand I might put lavender/teetree/ peppermint, lemongrass oils in.

This is fairly effective and cheep so I can happily lather it on. I also put the same oils into aqueous cream to make a fly cream for faces sheath etc
 
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