Make Homemade Insect Repellent for Horses Essential Oils vs Lemon, Rosemary and Water vs Natural Ingredients ... and 2 more
Edited by Nerissa Avisado, Eng, Charmed, Shadows Eye and 7 others
We all enjoy the balmy summer days, but nobody appreciates the 30,000 species of insects and other pests that come out to rejoice in the good weather at the same time. Animal friends, in this case, our horses, also share this revulsion, especially because they spend most of their time outdoors.
While they cannot openly complain, it is obvious that they are bothered when they are swarmed and bitten by a myriad of insects all over their bodies. And they are not simply annoyance; most of these insects are carriers of diseases and illnesses that can prove fatal to our pets.
Horses tend to be more affected by insect infestation because they have a thin layer of skin. They suffer from insect bites that can damage their sensitive skin and compromise their health. In an effort to ease their discomfort, we usually think of using over-the-counter insect repellents, which we all know contain chemicals that are harmful to the horse's skin. Thankfully, there are simple ways to make natural, home-made insect repellent for horses that are just as effective, safe, and save you a lot of money. Just follow the recipes below and you'll have a insect repellent that won't cause harm to the horses or the environment, while leaving a shiny healthy looking coat on your horses.
Method 1: Essential Oils
- 1 Ingredients & Tools
- 2 Method of Preparation - Six Kinds of Insect Repellent
- 3 Ingredients and Tools
- 4 Method of Preparation
- 5 Ingredients and Tools
- 6 Method of Preparation
- 7 Tips, Tricks & Warnings
- 8 Questions and Answers
- 8.1 How to apply Citronella oil mixture on horses?
- 8.2 How long does this horse spray last for in minutes or in hours?
- 8.3 Can you use a plastic spray bottle?
- 8.4 Which horse mosquito spray recipe listed is best?
- 8.5 Do you have any easy and inexpensive formulas for mosquito repellent for horses?
- 8.6 I am looking for a gnat repellent for my horses.
- 8.7 What is safe to use on the face and around the eyes of a horse?
- 8.8 What can I do to help my horse? He is covered in bug bites?
- 8.9 I need a real tick recipe that will work and not just last a day?
- 9 Comments
Ingredients & Tools
- Rubbing alcohol.
- Essential oil of catnip.
- Sugarless vanilla extract
- Vinegar.
- Baby oil or mineral oil
- Palmolive bath soap.
- Soybean oil
- Vodka
- Citronella oil.
- Lavender oil.
- Tea tree oil.
- Jojoba oil.
- Water.
- Empty spray bottle.
Method of Preparation - Six Kinds of Insect Repellent
- 1Catnip Spray.
- Combine 1 cup each of water and rubbing alcohol in an empty spray bottle.
- Add ½ teaspoon of essential oil of catnip.
- Replace the nozzle on the spray bottle.
- Shake well before spraying over the horse's coat. Avoid spraying near the horse's eyes.
- 2Vanilla Spray.
- Pour a bottle of sugarless vanilla extract into an empty spray battle.
- Refill the empty vanilla bottle with water and pour it into the spray bottle.
- Shake well before spraying on your horse.
- Do not use sugared vanilla, as it will only attract more insects!
- 3Vinegar/Oil.
- Combine equal parts of vinegar and baby or mineral oil in an empty spray bottle.
- Shake well then spray all around the horse's coat.
- 4Palmolive/Soy Spray.
- Fill an empty spray bottle with 1 cup of water.
- Add ¼ teaspoon of Palmolive bath soap
- Add 1 teaspoon of Soy bean oil.
- Shake well to completely mix the ingredients then spray on the horse's skin.
- 5Vodka/Citronella/Essential Oil Spray.
- Pour 16 ounces of vodka into an empty spray bottle.
- Add ½ ounce of citronella oil.
- Add ¼ ounce of lavender oil.
- Add 0.15 ounces of tea tree oil.
- Add 16 ounces of jojoba oil.
- Shake well to combine all ingredients before spraying all over the horse's body. ## Do not spray near the horse's eyes.
- 6Citronella Shampoo.
- Add two drops of citronella essential oil in your horse's regular shampoo.
- Shampoo as you usually do.
Method 2: Lemon, Rosemary and Water
Ingredients and Tools
- 1 large lemon with a thick rind
- 3 cups boiling water
- ½ cup dried rosemary leaves
- 2 large bowls
- 1 funnel or cheese cloth
Method of Preparation
- 1Slice the lemon into thin slices.
- 2Place the lemon slices in a bowl.
- 3Sprinkle the lemon slices with dried whole rosemary.
- 4Pour boiling water over the lemons and rosemary.
- 5Use wooden spoon to blend the ingredients.
- 6Let the mixture steep overnight.
- 7You don't want any bits in your spray.In the morning, using a fennel or cheesecloth, strain the mixture into another bowl.
- 8Spray the mixture all over the horse's coat.
Method 3: Natural Ingredients
Ingredients and Tools
- 16 ounces non-aerosol bug repellent
- 16 ounces vinegar
- 16 ounces citronella
- Dish soap
- A few drops of eucalyptus oil
- Water
- Large bowl
- Empty spray bottle
Method of Preparation
- 1Combine the first four ingredients in a large bowl.
Method 4: Versatile Vinegar
Here are several ways to fend off insects using the ever-reliable vinegar.
- 1Mix equal amounts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Add a few drops of any dish soap into the mixture.
- If you want a stronger formula for bothersome insects, you can add more vinegar than water.
- 2Combine 2 cups of white vinegar.
- Add 1 cup bath oil.
- Add 1 cup water.
- Add 1 tbsp of eucalyptus oil.
- Stir well before pouring into a large spray bottle.
- Spray all over the horse's body, being careful to avoid the horse's eyes and mouth.
- 3Put one cup of vinegar in an empty spray bottle.
- Add 1 cup baby oil.
- Add ¼ cup PineSol.
- Add 1 tbsp. ordinary dish soap.
- Add 1 tbsp. bath oil.
- Add 1 cup water.
- Shake well before spraying liberally on the horse's coat, avoiding the horse's eyes and mouth.
Method 5: Internal Fly Repellent
If the horse's skin is too sensitive for any type of insect repellent, try dealing with the insect infestation from the inside. Hydrate the horse with water mixed with ¼ cup apple cider. The apple cider will increase the horse's blood acid level enough for troublesome insects to leave the horse in peace. Results will be evident within one week.
Tips, Tricks & Warnings
- Add garlic to your horse's diet. The smell of garlic is enough to repel insects and keep their distance away from the horse, plus there are added health benefits to garlic.
- Citronella and eucalyptus oil can be purchased at local health supplement and food stores.
- Clean an old spray bottle thoroughly before pouring in your homemade insect repellent.
- Wait for at least an hour before re-spraying the horse with another application of insect repellent.
- Apply petroleum jelly or bacon grease on the horse's sensitive areas to alleviate their discomfort caused by insect bites.
- Flowering elder can be used to comb the horse's mane and tail, serving as effective fly repellent while keeping the animal groomed and neat.
- Avoid spraying the vinegar mixture directly onto the horse's face. Instead, put some amount on your hand or on a clean cloth then gently rub its face with it.
- Make sure the apple cider mixture is not stale by smelling it before giving to the horse. Prepare a fresh mixture if you detect sour smell from your week-old blend.
Questions and Answers
How to apply Citronella oil mixture on horses?
The citronella oil mixture can be applied on your horse by using it with the shampoo or as spray.
The citronella oil, which is added to its regular shampoo, is applied on the horse as you would normally shampoo the horse.
As a spray, it is used to spray the whole body of the horse, avoiding the horse's eyes. You can spray it from head to its tail.
How long does this horse spray last for in minutes or in hours?
I can't find how long it lasts for, could you tell me? If so thanks.
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Can you use a plastic spray bottle?
Can I use a plastic bottle or must it be in a glass spray bottle?
It does not matter what bottle you use, as long as you store the repellent away from direct sun. In reality, plastic bottles with repellents for horses can be handled, stored, obtained, and used more easily. If you prefer glass, you can order theme here: Amber Spray Bottles. If you prefer plastic, you can order one of these bottles, for example: Safe Plastic Sprayer Bottle.
Which horse mosquito spray recipe listed is best?
Good mosquito spray for 2 year old filly and newly pregnant mare.
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Do you have any easy and inexpensive formulas for mosquito repellent for horses?
The weather here is always (79-90 F) the whole year through. My son has one old horse and there is a specific time of the year that the mosquitoes are out of control. That is why I asked my question.
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I am looking for a gnat repellent for my horses.
How can I make my own equine gnat repellent?
VisiHow QnA. This section is not written yet. Want to join in? Click EDIT to write this answer.
What is safe to use on the face and around the eyes of a horse?
Bad year for horse flies, mosquitoes, and such. Cannot afford the store stuff.
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What can I do to help my horse? He is covered in bug bites?
The horse is covered with fly bites and becomes very irritated when they bite him while we are riding. We are in sunny South Africa and certain oils, like tea-tree helps for the bugs, but now he has bald spots on his face.
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I need a real tick recipe that will work and not just last a day?
I have 4 horses -2 mustangs 2 rescues ...I live where ticks are a big problem and my husband just got laid off because of health problems...anyways I don't make much and I'm worried I can't afford a lot to control everything...please tell me something I could make to help them not suffer so much. I don't really know what I'm suppose to say just I and my horses need your help. I have tried: Well I did try ACV all last year is this really a true remedy or is this not true. I think it was caused by: Our very short winter and I need help because I'm not rich and I hate my animals suffering because of it
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