Home made fly sprays ?

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Horsekaren

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Does anyone have any recipes that actually work? Most I never notice any difference so in my boredom I thought i would try and make one :)
 
I had a go at this for the first time yesterday, I ordered some citronella oil online and then just used ingredients we already had in the house. I used vinegar, cold tea, dettol and some of the citronella oil. Not sure how successful it will be but as our tack shop is closed I decided it will hopefully be better than nothing.
 
I wouldn't use dettol as it has chemicals in that are very unpleasant if ingested. I use white vinegar, TCP, water and lemongrass, teatree, lavender and citronella essential oils. I mix in a 4 pint milk bottle. Use about 200ml of vingar, 30 to 50 ml TCP, and about 10 to 20 drops of each of the oils then top up with water. Give a good shake and your ready to go. Just decant into a spray bottle and store any left over in the milk bottle. The vinegar helps emulsify the oils so you need to use this and do not be tempted to go mad and add masses of essential oils. Once they are emulsified it multiplys their effectiveness so if you use more than advised you'll burn your horses skin .
 
The Jokers Girl said:
I wouldn't use dettol as it has chemicals in that are very unpleasant if ingested. I use white vinegar, TCP, water and lemongrass, teatree, lavender and citronella essential oils. I mix in a 4 pint milk bottle. Use about 200ml of vingar, 30 to 50 ml TCP, and about 10 to 20 drops of each of the oils then top up with water. Give a good shake and your ready to go. Just decant into a spray bottle and store any left over in the milk bottle. The vinegar helps emulsify the oils so you need to use this and do not be tempted to go mad and add masses of essential oils. Once they are emulsified it multiplys their effectiveness so if you use more than advised you'll burn your horses skin .
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This is pretty close to mine, save that i don’t use tcp (but might now) but also add a squirt of washing liquid and a small bottle of avon skin so soft. I apply liberally once a day. It works as well as any spray i’ve bought but if flies are bad they can still be bothered.
 
I think the small squidge of fairy helps emulsify the oils too, like the vinegar. I've never used the skin so soft as I'm allergic but I know a few people who do use it on themselves and horses to some positive results ?

ETA I use the tcp mainly for antiseptic properties incase neddies do have any small cuts or bites to help stop any infection, although the tea tree will be similar
 
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