Are you tired of spending a fortune on fly spray for your horses?
Look no further than neem oil, a natural and effective insect repellent.
Not only is it cost-effective, but you can also tailor the mix to your horse’s needs and choose the ingredients.
In this article, we’ll show you how to make your own neem oil fly spray for horses using all-natural ingredients or commercial mixes.
Say goodbye to pesky flies and hello to a happy, healthy horse!
How To Make Neem Oil Fly Spray For Horses?
Making your own neem oil fly spray for horses is easy and affordable. Here’s what you’ll need:
– Neem oil
– Spray bottle
– Water
– Vinegar or aloe vera juice
– Lotion with bug-repelling essential oils (optional)
– Other essential oils for added potency (optional)
To start, remove the nozzle from an old fly spray bottle or a commercially bought spray bottle. Insert a funnel and pour in 2 cups of vinegar or aloe vera juice using the funnel. You can use either apple-cider or distilled vinegar.
Next, add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of lotion with bug-repelling essential oils if desired. Lotions with essential oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, thyme, garlic, cedarwood, and juniper are effective additions to natural fly repellent sprays.
Add 1/2 oz of pure neem oil to the mixture in the spray bottle. Neem oil is a natural insect repellent that easily biodegrades and is non-toxic to mammals, making it a safe oil to use on your horse.
If you want to increase the potency of your fly spray, add 1/2 oz of one other essential oil like eucalyptus, tea tree, thyme, garlic, cedarwood, or juniper.
Shake the bottle well before each use as the neem oil may separate from the other ingredients.
Spray your horse’s body with the mixture, giving special attention to their lower legs. Do not spray your horse’s face; instead, spray a clean cloth and wipe the cloth over their face, avoiding their mouth, nose, and eyes.
What Is Neem Oil And How Does It Repel Insects?
Neem oil is a natural insect repellent that comes from the neem tree, a tropical evergreen that grows in India and Southeast Asia. It has been used for thousands of years for its insecticide properties and is particularly effective against flies.
Neem oil works by disrupting the development of eggs and larvae in various species of insects, inhibiting moulting in certain stages of insect development, blocking females from depositing eggs, and repelling both larvae and adults. Additionally, neem oil suffocates insects by physically constricting their airways.
Using neem oil in your homemade fly spray for horses can help to protect your horse against the harmful bites of midges, black flies, mosquitoes, and other flying pests. It can also speed up the healing process of any existing bites and irritations on your horse’s coat and skin. Neem oil has natural sterilization and antiseptic qualities that can clean wounds, stop bleeding, protect against infection, and promote healing.
Benefits Of Using Neem Oil Fly Spray For Horses
Using neem oil as a fly spray for horses has many benefits. First, neem oil is a natural insect repellent that is effective against a wide range of pests, including flies, midges, and mosquitoes. This means that you can protect your horse from irritating and potentially harmful bites without exposing them to harsh chemicals or toxins.
In addition to its insect-repelling properties, neem oil also has moisturizing and soothing effects on the skin. It contains essential amino acids and vitamin E, which help to nourish and hydrate the skin. This is particularly beneficial for horses that suffer from dry or itchy skin as a result of insect bites or other skin irritations.
Another benefit of using neem oil fly spray for horses is that it can help to promote hair growth and reduce scarring. Neem oil has collagen properties that stimulate the growth of new skin cells and can help to reduce the appearance of scars caused by insect bites or other injuries.
Finally, neem oil is safe and non-toxic for both horses and humans. It is easily biodegradable and does not contain any harmful chemicals or preservatives. This means that you can use it with confidence knowing that you are not exposing your horse or yourself to any harmful substances.
DIY Neem Oil Fly Spray Recipe For Horses
If you want to make a DIY neem oil fly spray for horses, here’s a recipe you can follow:
Ingredients:
– 2 cups vinegar or aloe vera juice
– 1 cup water
– 1 cup lotion with bug-repelling essential oils (optional)
– 1/2 oz pure neem oil
– 1/2 oz other essential oil for added potency (optional)
Instructions:
1. Remove the nozzle from an old fly spray bottle or a commercially bought spray bottle. Insert a funnel and pour in 2 cups of vinegar or aloe vera juice using the funnel. You can use either apple-cider or distilled vinegar.
2. Add 1 cup of water and 1 cup of lotion with bug-repelling essential oils if desired.
3. Add 1/2 oz of pure neem oil to the mixture in the spray bottle.
4. If you want to increase the potency of your fly spray, add 1/2 oz of one other essential oil like eucalyptus, tea tree, thyme, garlic, cedarwood, or juniper.
5. Shake the bottle well before each use as the neem oil may separate from the other ingredients.
6. Spray your horse’s body with the mixture, giving special attention to their lower legs. Do not spray your horse’s face; instead, spray a clean cloth and wipe the cloth over their face, avoiding their mouth, nose, and eyes.
Making your own neem oil fly spray for horses is not only cost-effective but also allows you to tailor the mix to your horse’s needs. Neem oil is a natural insect repellent that has been known for thousands of years for its insecticide properties. It disrupts the development of eggs and larvae, inhibits moulting in certain stages of insect development, blocks females from depositing eggs and repels both larvae and adults. Neem oil also suffocates insects by physically constricting their airways.
By following this easy recipe and using all-natural ingredients, you can create an effective fly spray that is safe for your horse and easy on your wallet.
Tips For Tailoring Your Neem Oil Fly Spray Mix
Tailoring your neem oil fly spray mix can help you create a more effective and personalized fly repellent for your horse. Here are some tips to help you customize your fly spray mix:
1. Replace vinegar with aloe vera juice: If you want to add a healing effect to your fly spray, replace the vinegar with aloe vera juice. Aloe vera juice is known for its soothing and healing properties and can be especially helpful for horses with sensitive skin.
2. Use different essential oils: You can tailor your fly spray mix by using different essential oils. Some essential oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, thyme, garlic, cedarwood, and juniper are known for their insect-repelling properties and can be added to your mix for added potency.
3. Increase the amount of neem oil: If you find that your fly spray is not effective enough, you can increase the amount of neem oil in your mix. Start by adding 1/2 oz more of neem oil and see if it makes a difference.
4. Shake well before each use: Neem oil tends to separate from other ingredients in the mixture, so make sure to shake the bottle well before each use to ensure that all the ingredients are well mixed.
By following these tips, you can create a customized and effective neem oil fly spray for your horse that is tailored to their specific needs.
Commercial Neem Oil Fly Spray Options For Horses
If you don’t have the time or resources to make your own neem oil fly spray for your horse, there are several commercial options available on the market. One popular option is the Equiderma Neem & Aloe Horse Spray, which is a natural fly repellent that protects horses from biting insects like flies, mosquitoes, and gnats while inhibiting harmful ticks.
This eco-safe formula contains 100% active ingredients like neem leaf tea, aloe vera gel, neem oil, red cedar oil, eucalyptus, lemongrass, citronella, lemon peel, tea tree, and lavender. All of these ingredients are known for their powerful insect repellent and skin and coat enhancing qualities.
The Equiderma Neem & Aloe Horse Spray is also versatile and can be used on horses, ponies, foals, dogs, pigs, cows, and chickens. It leaves your horse’s coat shiny and healthy without being greasy and has a fresh, citrusy botanical scent that both you and your horse will love.
In addition to its insect-repelling properties, neem has a myriad of benefits. It has been proven to stop the maturation of biting fly larvae as well as the mating of adults. It has also been shown to diminish the overall fly population around your farm if used on a consistent basis. Neem is known for its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties as well, meaning that it may inhibit fungal and bacterial skin problems that plague your animals.
Another commercial option is the Alternative Fly Spray Refill. This product allows you to re-use your alternative fly spray container and help the environment while saving money. It is available in 1 litre or 5 litres recycled plastic containers and provides 5 litres of all-natural herbal mixture of aloe vera and neem for the price of 4. This mixture provides an easy-to-apply, chemical and alcohol-free protective film for the most awkward of areas.
It is ideal for use in heavily populated midge areas and can also be used by riders and safely applied to other animals. It cools irritated areas and itching and can be sprayed directly onto minor wounds, cuts, and abrasions. It is also an ideal solution to be used as a rinse.
When choosing a commercial neem oil fly spray option for your horse, it’s important to consider the ingredients used in the formula and ensure they are safe for your animal. Additionally, you should always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use to ensure maximum effectiveness and safety.
Precautions And Safety Measures To Keep In Mind
While making your own neem oil fly spray for horses is a safe and natural alternative to commercial sprays, it is important to take certain precautions and safety measures to ensure the safety of both you and your horse. Here are some things to keep in mind:
– Wear protective clothing: When handling neem oil, wear gloves and long-sleeved shirts to prevent skin irritation or allergic reactions. Neem oil may cause mild irritation to the skin, so it is important to avoid direct contact with it.
– Use caution when spraying: Avoid spraying the mixture near your horse’s mouth, nose, and eyes. Instead, spray a clean cloth and wipe it over their face. Be sure to also avoid spraying in enclosed areas or areas with poor ventilation.
– Test on a small area first: Before using the spray on your horse’s entire body, test it on a small area first to make sure they do not have an allergic reaction or sensitivity to any of the ingredients.
– Store properly: Store the neem oil fly spray in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Shake well before each use as the ingredients may settle or separate.
By following these precautions and safety measures, you can ensure that your homemade neem oil fly spray for horses is effective and safe for use.
