ALMOST BUG SEASON

what are you planning on using this year to combat our huge array of flying pests

Well, I know that it might not be the "correct" thing but i use Deep woods off
for my pony and it works way better than anything you get at the tack shop.........
and cheaper! :D

Echo uses that on all her horses never had a problem I mean we use it on us..

I would like some new ideas! I tried skin so soft from avon last year and Mouse broke out in hives everywhere :scratch:

Anyone have any recipes for homemade bug spray?

Honestly I don't usually use much here at all....because we are on the salt water the only flies that really are a bother are the horseflies. I spray the walls of the barn down with creolin and water and the horses take refuge in there when the buggers are biting! Every summer is different though and I might be needing it more this year.

I use Wipe and love it. Its the only thing I have found so far that works :)

we've been using Magnolia horse spray, it smells good and seems to work..

FancyThis, do you use the Deep Woods Off just like any other fly spray? It doesn't irritate the horses skin?

Deep Woods seems to work the longest for us - everything else just seems like a lost cause on our mosquito filled swamp land.

I use the Bronco spray on their bodies. Absorbine wipes for the faces. Stretch will be sporting a lovely fly sheet this spring/summer due to his sensitive skin. He's such a delicate little flower! My one boarder really reacts to the bites but his owner doesn't believe in blanketing, etc. I'm still working on that one because even with the spray the big fella suffers. I'd love to use some sort of natural product but don't know of any that are worth their salt :( . Suggestions?

suggestions are what we are all hoping for..........something new....something we havent thought of......something that WORKS :cheers:

Tammy try the marigold (sp) it's all natural like the flower.. bugs aren't suppose to like marigolds.. it seems to work good..

so where do you find this miricle spray wissy? cause I have not come across it at the co-op... will they have to order it in special?

hopeful we got it at Greenhawk.. it's all natural .. comes from the flowers marigolds.. it's water base to so it's not at all sticky... and it smells nice..

LilBits mom wrote:

FancyThis, do you use the Deep Woods Off just like any other fly spray? It doesn't irritate the horses skin?

Ya, just the Regular Deep woods off that you would use for yourself.
And it as soooo much cheaper! ;)

I think I may give the marigold stuff a try this season.

I've heard of using Tea Tree oil. A few drops in water and spray away. Not sure how well it works....but is worth a try.

EM avidly reads, needing something that really works - :cheers:

I use.....nothing! On myself or the horses most of the time, however I make sure to give my horses refuge from the bugs. They have a nice cool barn to go into and I hose them down on most hot days. I also hose the barn floor (its dirt) so it helps to keep the barn cool. I have used Absorbine fly sprays and I like how they last a bit longer. If your going to go the spray route I think your better off to use a more expensive product over something like Bronco which doesn't seem to last. I want to try the Marigold spray this year, I've heard good things about it and the actual plants seem to work in the garden to deter pests.

I googled Homemade Fly Spray for Horse and the first site that came up was the Moniteau Saddle Club, www.moniteausaddleclub.com. They had a whole bunch of fly spray recipes that might work if you want to make your own to try them.

I mixed up a jar of vinegar, skin so soft, citronella oil and shook it up, and soaked a rag in it and wiped it all over my horse before i went riding. It worked ok. I use Skin So Soft on myself or citronella spray.

I used to use Wipe and it did work for sure but I'm trying to go the natural route.

For in the barn this will help catch some flies...mix 3 cups of water, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup white vinegar in a jar, punch holes in the lid, they get in and can't get out/drown.

We have blackflies and noseeums--as if blackflies aren't enough. Not many mosquitoes out this way so far.

Enjoy it now before they arrive!

Now if we can find a deterent for JUNE BUGS.. omg I am deathly afraid of the buggers.. in the month of June I do not go out after dark.. and I start looking for him around the end of May.. if I'm outside when it starts getting dart I panic and if I hear any buzzing noise .. well I'm done.. !! :x

Wissy...I believe you need a shotgun for those big buggers! But...I'm thinkin' you might get complaints from the neighbors...so I guess you're better off staying inside after dark.

I used a crazy carpet in the past as a shield . I accidentally left the outside light on one night and came home after dark. I was in tears by the time I got in the house.

As far as bug spray, I don't use any either. It doesn't work anyways so the horses just stay in the shelter when the bugs are really bad. They will run out to the field, munch for 15-20 minutes then run back to the shelter. Atleast they get a bit of exercise this way :lol:.

This is what we do. I spray a bit on her tummy and legs; whatever I happen to pick up. Can't say as I have had much luck with any of it; but, it makes me feel like I am trying.

Well my fellow June bug haters....I have some bad news....I got attacked by one LAST NIGHT!