So I went to the store to pick up some spray to keep the flies off the horse. They had a few options, each of which contained some sort of “DO NOT ALLOW CONTACT WITH SKIN…WASH OFF IMMEDIATELY” warning. I opted not to buy any of these. Why would I spray something all over my horse if I have to wash it off immediately if I get it on me??
I did a little research and found some essential oils that repel bugs, including flies and mosquitos. It’s been a trial-and-error sort of thing, but after several batches, I think I’ve narrowed down a decent recipe. I used this on myself and noticed a pretty dramatic difference with the mosquitoes at dusk. After spraying down the horse, there’s a noticeable reduction in the number of flies on her. If you do decide to try it, be careful not to spray it on the face or near eyes – it burns if it gets in your eyes.
Herbal Pest Repellent
15 fl. oz distilled water
1-2 drops vitamin e oil
20 drops cinnamon leaf essential oil
20 drops rosemary essential oil
20 drops lemongrass essential oil
20 drops lemon-eucalyptus oil (citronella)
20 drops wintergreen essential oil
15 drops lavender essential oil
10 drops tea tree oil
Mix it all up in a spray bottle. Shake vigorously before using and between sprays to keep the oils evenly mixed with the water, otherwise they’ll just float to the top.
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