Fly Repellents

[0dd]

what does everyone use now??

I used to love using Gold Label's FlyGon or Red Rum stuff but I assume they contained citronella because I can't find it anymore!!
All Chandlers have is this stuff in a yellow bottle which is DEAD expensive and STINKS like vinegar! oh goddd and it kills your eyes if you spray it and accidently walk into it!
it doesn't even work that well.

what was the problem with citronella, eh? something about skin?
I never had any problems with it..

[Pickles]

It's an EU thing, I think the story is that in order for the EU to allow it to be used they needed evidence that it didn't cause harm and it was too expensive for the industry to do the required scientific trials to prove there are no negative effects.

I still use it in my own home made repellant, very cheap to make and it work as well as any I've bought. Doesn't seem to work on horse flies though.

[Kazzie]

I made some of my own this morning. I used citronella oil - about a tablespoon full, eucalyptus oil - teaspoon full, white vinegar about 1/4 of a pint and a few drops of baby oil made up to 1 litre.

I don't know why citronella oil has been banned...

[inca]

just spent £24.99 on coopers super plus fly repellant, as i thought it must be good for that price, but i think we had more flys on after i wiped it all over my horse than before,:( if only they would make something that really works have spent loads of money and tried loads of different brands and they are all blooming crap!!!

[0dd]

precisely our situation, inca :(
unfortunately ben came in this afternoon with fly bites ALL down his nose!
i've never seen him that bad.

luckily a friend of ours had made up his own (using a simular recipe to kazzie) so we've got some from him to try out tomorrow.

fingers crossed!

[LauraLou]

I have just found a fly repellent that actually works! After 2 summers of misery trying to find something that works (every fly rug and repellent on the market, believe me!) I bought Deosect from my vet. Luka has awful reactions to bites (antibiotics every time she gets bitten!:( ) and this stuff is the ONLY thing I know to keep flys off. Its about £28 but that will last for a few summers. You dilute 10mls with 500 mls of water, and its the absolute NUTS!

[jowyles]

just get avon skin so soft and fresh £8 bogof at the mo on their webby and it works wonders! £8 for 1L!

[sheryl]

Hi, I've always used Coopers Plus which I find great. Last time I went to get some they didn't have any though. I asked the girl who works there what she recommended, and she said Nettex. I am using Nettex now and it seems just as good as Coopers, and cheaper!!
I also put garlic in my horses feed every day. I don't know if it helps but he never is burdened by flies:)
Sheryl x

[Trewsers]

I've been buying our vets own brand - don't know whats in it exactly but it does the trick, plus miles cheaper than tack shop stuff - its £5 for a big bottle - I've got two for stock!!!

[aberz]

I just keep my sophie totaly covered up. She has on her fly rug which goes right under her belly and up to her ears and a fab fly mask which even covers her ears and nose. It is an expence i know but it will last for years and years and the flies can buzz around her all they like but they are not getting in.
I have got a spray bottle with a citronella mixture in it from home for her legs but the flies dont go there much anyway.

[Sexy Sietske]

Add tea tree to fly sprays!! It has healing and soothing properties that can ease the bites as well as protected against the if add to flyspray. Lemongrass has antibacterial properties and flies don't like the smell of that either.

I've heard alot about this avon so soft, i use it myself but I can't imagine how it works :confused: Is it the dry oil spray or the lotion stuff and what flavour smell is it :D might have to give it a go coz if it works if would be great for a showday, making the coat all soft and shiney instead of sticky like most flysprays!!

[jo graham]

I make my own up, lemon juice, garlic T tree oil, baby oil (if hot weather I add some sun block cream), seems to work fairly well and she has a lovely shiny coat!

[jo graham]

having been shocked at the cost and how much I was getting through, I made up my own, lemon juice, garlic, T tree oil, baby oil, sun block cream if it is very hot - sounds yuck bit it seemed to work and her coat is lovely and shiny

[x.fat-pony.x]

what does everyone use now??

I used to love using Gold Label's FlyGon or Red Rum stuff but I assume they contained citronella because I can't find it anymore!!
All Chandlers have is this stuff in a yellow bottle which is DEAD expensive and STINKS like vinegar! oh goddd and it kills your eyes if you spray it and accidently walk into it!
it doesn't even work that well.

what was the problem with citronella, eh? something about skin?
I never had any problems with it..
they banned citronella as some horses were allergic to it, so they decided that all horses were allergic!!
There's this lotion, forgotten what its called now, you can buy it at the chemist really cheap instead of paying loads at the tack shop, and it worked wonders for my friends pony....will get back to you on the name :)
Always found NAF off stuff good, but now they've taken out the citronella, so dunno if it will be as good now, but you get a free fly mask too so if the spray doesn't work at least you get a freebie!!! lol

[ANN H]

I have just found a fly repellent that actually works! After 2 summers of misery trying to find something that works (every fly rug and repellent on the market, believe me!) I bought Deosect from my vet. Luka has awful reactions to bites (antibiotics every time she gets bitten!:( ) and this stuff is the ONLY thing I know to keep flys off. Its about £28 but that will last for a few summers. You dilute 10mls with 500 mls of water, and its the absolute NUTS!

Beeston Animal Health have this spray. I think its about £27 and you can order it from their website. Its used for chickens as well I believe!!

[inca]

i found on a website someone saying to try bounce tumble dryer sheets ,tie them on the bridle and they keep the flys away, i tried it and they certainly worked, i snipped one into strips and tied them either side of her browband and we had a fly free ride and she smelt lovely:D

[catscradle]

I have added small amounts of citronella(from B**ts) to my existing fly creams 'till they ran out and then concocted my own cream with citronella and aquaeous cream.This has proved more effective than the other creams that I have used. My two don't react to citronella:)