Best fly spray

[fordtraktor]

Ultrashield in the black bottle is my favorite, but it fades their coats like crazy.

Ecovet gives me an instant migraine. I had to ban even the boarders from using it, unfortunately (it’s my barn and I want to be able to feed everyone’s horses without being disabled for the rest of the day!). Fortunately I have a great group and they understand.

I honestly haven’t found anything that works for long, so I have an array of fly and mosquito sheets for my herd. They work the best. ShooFly leggings are awesome but don’t last long. I am trying some knockoffs from China that I got for like $5 and then some really expensive ones from another brand this year, trying to find something that will last all year. My horses are out 24/7 so a year is about all I expect from any fly gear.

[just_shoot_me]

I’ve used Endure for years (TriTech 14 before that). It seems to work best of anything I’ve tried for Rustle. But I’m thinking of trying something with lemongrass to see if it works.

[Simkie]

@fordtraktor

Ultrashield in the black bottle is my favorite, but it fades their coats like crazy.

It’s so wild how variable this stuff is. I use Ultrashield black every year, and don’t find it to fade.

But damn, Endure fades and dries out their coats like CRAZY. Makes them crispy! And Mosquito Halt is nearly as bad.

It’s not just been one horse that didn’t do well with those two, it was my entire little herd the summers I tried each. But I can use Ultrashield black every day without that issue.

[Marla_000]

Hah, you know you’re right about endure and crispy hair

It’s been hot and buggy early this year (Central Fl.) And my mare is only shedded out on her front half. The long hair over her rump is dry and super crispy.
Gotta go out and de-shed that mess.
Must be the excess alcohol.

[trubandloki]

I have had good luck with the Pyranha in the aerosol can.

I spray tails, belly, and legs with deep woods off to keep the ticks off.

[atr]

Deerflies around here are sort of yellowy brown, aggressive little beasts. I haven’t noticed neat wings… I would say it’s a deterrent, but does it stop them in their tracks? No. I don’t think anything does. And they’ll bite through clothes.

The indoor arena can look very attractive on those days when they are most active!

[treebeard]

Last year I got a couple of those clip on fake dragonflies and they really work against deerflies. I think the clip would work on a bridle. I clip mine to my hat. The “dragonfly” dances and bounces when you shake your head and I find that any deerflies that are zooming in on me veer off.

[barnesthenoble]

I’ve had really good luck with a product called Zone Protects Horse & Rider spray. It’s picaridin based and works surprisingly well–lasts several hours and keeps the critters away. It’s not cheap but honestly none of them are anymore. My biggest complaint is the scent. It smells a lot like mothballs, to me. Not nearly as bad as EcoVet, though.

It outperforms the Ultrashield black by miles in my area. I used to have good luck with Pyranha but in the past few years it’s not done anything. I’ve had mixed results with Mosquito Halt–it works better than many others, but the smell is unholy awful.

[BrookdaleBay]

Charlee’s fly spray. I only started using it last year, but it seems to work pretty well and the smell isn’t offensive. I’ve even used it on myself.

[Simkie]

@treebeard

Last year I got a couple of those clip on fake dragonflies and they really work against deerflies.

Wait what? Can you link? Sounds like a GREAT thing to try!!

[treebeard]

Oye - every link I wanted to post went very large so I’ll just tell you what I purchased. I got one called the Dragonfly Wingman. I think they are pricey for what they are. Amazon has a pair for about $24 but if you shop around you might find cheaper ones.

I regret that they are wacky colors and not what an actual dragonfly would be colored.

[Simkie]

That is SO NEAT, thank you! I’ve never seen these before and am so excited to try.

Here’s a link for anyone else that wants to give it a go:

https://a.co/d/afGlJ2c

Amazon also has a lot of knock off options.

(I got excited seeing a ~$15 price elsewhere, but that was for the one pack vs two. There’s also a 4 pack for $40!)

[treebeard]

My friend in Canada has used those dragonfly clip ons for years and swears by them. I was really impressed by how they worked, although if you are on a trail or someone sees you with one attached to your hat, you will get comments. haha

[Nikki]

that stuff kills fire ants on the spot too.

[RhythmNCruise]

Amazon has lots of those dragonfly clips!

I’m wondering where to clip one onto the bridle and if the horse would tolerate it well if it dances around. I’m picturing it clipped to the crown piece over his poll, but worry the clip might be uncomfortable there and the “dragonfly” might dance and bump his ears, irritating him.

Anyone tried one on a horse’s bridle with success?