Switch fly repellent - any tips on best application techniques?

[Tiddlypom]

Just picked up my first bottle of Switch fly repellent (4% permethrin) from the vets, and have applied a patch test of same to all three neds.

Assuming no one has an allergic reaction, where do you find is the best place to apply the stuff? I know it's along the top line from behind the ears to the tail, minus the saddle area. Do you rub it in to the roots of the mane and tail as well as wiping the coat? It's a 40 ml dose once a week for my 3.

I've just spotted that it is toxic to cats - I need to watch that.

 

[Quigleyandme]

I dribble it along his mane and again on his rump and rub it in. A word of warning. It stings like nobody’s business if you get it in your eyes. Seamus shook as I was applying it and I got a drop in my eye. Blimey it stung.

 

[Tiddlypom]

Heck, Quigley, the blurb says you need to get a vet out if you get any in the horse's eye . Glad you're ok.

No one reacted to the patch test so they each got their 40mls dose applied today. It wasn't too messy to do. Fingers crossed, there is much less tail swishing and leg stamping than before going on tonight out in the field, even though the midges and little flies are out.

I've been looking for a decent fly repellent ever since Coopers was discontinued, and that was Permethrin based too.

 

[bouncing_ball]

I've been looking for a decent fly repellent ever since Coopers was discontinued, and that was Permethrin based too.

Coopers alternatives with permethrin:
Ultra Shield
Tri-tec 14
Switch
Deosect


Though apparently there is now some fly resistance to permethrin so it’s not as effective as it used to be.

 

[holeymoley]

I pour a little at a time on my hand(gloved up) and massage it in to the top of the tail and along the top of the neck.

 

[cauda equina]

I think it stings when applied correctly too
Mine both start rubbing like mad when I put it on

I dribble it along his mane and again on his rump and rub it in. A word of warning. It stings like nobody’s business if you get it in your eyes. Seamus shook as I was applying it and I got a drop in my eye. Blimey it stung.

 

[bouncing_ball]

I think it stings when applied correctly too
Mine both start rubbing like mad when I put it on

I think it’s the smell they object to

 

[cauda equina]

They certainly object to something!

 

[Tiddlypom]

They certainly object to something!

How long do they tend to object for?

I see that some of the other permethrin based products are supposed to be diluted down then sprayed on, but I don't fancy subjecting either me or the horses to potentially inhaling some of the spray . At least a 40 ml wipe on dose is fairly easy to keep under control during application.

 

[cauda equina]

How long do they tend to object for?

I see that some of the other permethrin based products are supposed to be diluted down then sprayed on, but I don't fancy subjecting either me or the horses to potentially inhaling some of the spray . At least a 40 ml wipe on dose is fairly easy to keep under control during application.

Some minutes - usually by the time I've put them out they seem to have forgotten about it, and neither have had any other reaction
I just put it on as per the instructions, poured along the mane and rump