Fly Sprays

cjwchez

cjwchez

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Hi

I'm sure this question will have been asked a thousand times... are there any fly sprays that actually repel horse flies?

I'm yet to find one that keeps them away. My horse does have a fly rug (and a ride-on one) however I like to spray us both before hacking, but they still attack us!
 
cjwchez said:
horseflies, they don't seem bothered by any fly sprays I've used so far
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I had some luck with Absorbine Ultrashield against Horseflies in the past, and whilst I haven't used it Tri-Tec 14 is supposed to be good against them, but I can't comment as I can't bring myself to pay the price for it!
 
Ive tried them all and spent a fortune on them and all totally useless.
I make my own with apple cider vinegar tea tree oil and mix with water and spray the horses with it.I drench the tails and manes with it.
Very cheap and seems effective.
I hang sticky paper fly strips high up in the stables - very cheap to buy and they soon collect the flies.
 
I’ve been using Flymac. It’s cost effective because one bottle makes up 10 litres or something similar of fly spray! It has neem oil in it and does seem to work well but unfortunately doesn’t completely stop the horseflies - but certainly helps!
 
Highmileagecob said:
My lad (piebald) has a fly rug on 24/7 but the horseflies aim for his uncovered bits. Yesterday I slathered his black patches in talcum powder. After an hour on the yard he had no flies on him. Can't claim it is an effective barrier, but it seemed to confuse the little devils.
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oooo this is an interesting one! thank you
 
cjwchez said:
Hi

I'm sure this question will have been asked a thousand times... are there any fly sprays that actually repel horse flies?

I'm yet to find one that keeps them away. My horse does have a fly rug (and a ride-on one) however I like to spray us both before hacking, but they still attack us!
Click to expand...
to be honest I dont think many work or last, fly spray you put on in morning is very rarely there lunch time, so I rarely use it now.
 
Power phaser is the best I think - tried all sorts, bought and home made. I like home made as can drench them but it doesn’t last. For riding power phaser is safer and a long whip for waiving around! Horse fliers are out in force at the moment!
 
I've had Imperial leather talc recommended to me but I've never tried it. Re the hanging sticky things, I tried those a few years back and a swallow got caught in it! I ended up washing the sticky feathers in a bit of washing up liquid and putting her in a box in the stable until dried out. Thankfully she managed to survive the ordeal. Never again have I used them
 
I don't know but I had some fly spray with deet leak onto my horse's passport and now the plastic cover of the passport is a horrible melted mess! :oops: It has made me reluctant to use anything with deet (yes I know skin and plastic are different materials and the exposure time is different but I'm still wary!)
 
There isn't any spray that's really effective against Horseflies as they select their targets by sight, not smell. They will also bite through fly rugs (and my trousers), although I know of people who swear by the zebra striped ones, haven't tried one myself.
 
The Hot Horse Fly Shield is good. I've seen horse flies fail to bite in when it's on. Power Phaser is otherwise my go to spray.
 
cauda equina said:
This stuff says it's effective against horseflies
hyperdrug.co.uk

Bremsen Bremse Horsefly Blocker Extra Strong Fly Repellent

Extra strong effective against horseflies, ticks, mosquitoes and flies. For the horse and rider.
hyperdrug.co.uk hyperdrug.co.uk
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Thank you CE! I made up some homemade flyspray this morning and was trying to remember what specific ingredient i researched last year is known to be very effective with midges and horseflies…..its geraniol! The product you linked has geraniol in it. Studies showed it more effective than other essential oils/chemicals. I tried finding it neat last year to add to my mixes but struggled. Will have to search more.

My mix was a bit of everything! The first hour the horseflies landed but then flew off…they hated it. But 4 hours later they were on them biting. There’s loads here in damp meadows surrounded by forestry, so i have a good test-environment.

My mix recipe if anyone wants to try a homemade version is:

4 tablespoons oil - food grade mineral oil best, but veg oil from the kitchen works. This helps the potion stick and last longer on their coat than 100% water-based flysprays that dry-off very quickly.
1 tablspoon ecover washing up liquid - this mixes the oils with the water.
2 tablespoons white vinegar/apple cider vinegar
4 tablespoons witch hazel
Essential oils blend - eucalyptus (olbas oil works as s blend) / citronella/ tea tree / i had some home made sage oil i threw in - teaspoon of each roughly 20-30 drops.

Then i filled the rest up with water to make 1 litre - mix with spoon, put in spray bottle and shake before every application.

Garlic/lavender/catnip/lemon balm/peppermint - also worth adding if you have those to hand.
 
Nasicus said:
I had some luck with Absorbine Ultrashield against Horseflies in the past, and whilst I haven't used it Tri-Tec 14 is supposed to be good against them, but I can't comment as I can't bring myself to pay the price for it!
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I use a variety, but the long lasting TriTec does a very good job.
We are very unfortunate that when hacking out I either to have to do about 200 yards of woodland that is 'mozzie central' or on the other route its horsefly party time!
Deosect, naf deet or TriTec does the job, tho due to costs, I usually use the TriTec after riding (when I've washed down etc), especially on a Sunday, it then seems to give protection for at least 48hrs if not longer.

B runs like a wimpy screamer from horseflies, bless her - she'd never come across them till she came to me from the top end of Scotland.
 
estela said:
I'm had some success with Bremsen Bremse and Power Phaser. Havent tried talc as yet!
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Power Phaser works on my horse, too. He's a very fine skinned/coated chap and wears a full fly mask, with ears and a nose net, and a full fly rug
Anything that isn't covered gets Phaser'ed. Long lasting and effective, it's used on a daily basis during the fly season.
 
Cortez There isn't any spray that's really effective against Horseflies as they select their targets by sight, not smell. They will also bite through fly rugs (and my trousers), although I know of people who swear by the zebra striped ones, haven't tried one myself.

I have painted zebra stripes on Old Dobbin's fly sheet, and it does seem to stop the little horrors from landing, although they still cruise round waiting for movement and a dark patch.
The talc worked well in masking the dark patch on his neck, but as he is a roller, it isn't going to last long.
 
I used to find power phaser the best but unfortunately this year and last it hasn't seemed to do much.

I'm trying some of the fly traps instead although I think that could be a slightly longer term plan!
 
cauda equina said:
My farrier recommended Imperial Leather talc - it contains benzyl benzoate and citronellol so might be more effective than other brands
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Ooh I love that smell. That's more preferable to Phazer that nearly knocks me out!

I put some of those sticky fly strips in the tea room once but a swallow flegling got stuck in it, and by the time anyone found it, it had died.😟
 
An observation from yesterday…I washed my mare after hacking yesterday and when dry I sprayed Phaser all over. I watched the clegs swoop down to her rump and then up and away again without landing. So freshly applied it seems to work.
 
Midlifecrisis said:
An observation from yesterday…I washed my mare after hacking yesterday and when dry I sprayed Phaser all over. I watched the clegs swoop down to her rump and then up and away again without landing. So freshly applied it seems to work.
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Really jealous of those of you who power phaser still works for, maybe it's different clans of horse flies in different areas or something. It always used to be my go to but here, even when freshly applied it's doing nothing :(

I'm going to have to splash out and try some of the others I think.
 
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