Midge/fly repellents or recipes

[GypsGal1718]

Just asking for any working repellent recipes for midges / biting insects that really keep them away, thanks

 

[j1ffy]

I've just ordered some Avon Skin So Soft - it seems to be universally recommended!

 

[meleeka]

Biteback is the best one I’ve found.

 

[Sandstone1]

Hedgewitch seems to work well

 

[Squeak]

I've just ordered some Avon Skin So Soft - it seems to be universally recommended!

I've had really good success with Skin so soft in the past for midges (doesn't work for horseflies).

On vulnerable areas like the stomach I tend to lather it in nettex summer freedom fly cream.

 

[Mrs Jingle]

Another vote for Biteback.

 

[quizzie]

So far I've tried Hedgewitch ( no effect), Avon (slight effect for short period), Neem oil spray ( no effect).......

 

[Mfh999]

Following as they already seem busy this year

 

[Jambarissa]

I have never found homemade stuff to be effective other than for a very short while eg 15 minutes.

But it does depend on how bad your flies are and how much your horse suffers.

2 of mine don't seem to notice but little cob gets 5 tones as many flies on her as everyone else and obviously really feels the bites and cones up in huge lumps.

So I like chemicals! Most effective 'normal' repellent are leo vet Phaser and battles summer fly cream.

For the big guns you need an insecticide. Asorbine ultra (black one, £25 a litre) and tritec 14 (£50 a litre) genuinely work and last for days once they've built up a bit. Note both say 'do not apply to horses', do your research and make sure you are happy to use them.