I have fly predators and a variety of other biological control mechanisms in place. The usual horse fly spray in the US contains permethrins, which both repel and outright kill insects. DEET interferes with receptor signaling, but isn’t actually toxic in and of itself, so it doesn’t typically kill them. Has anyone used it on their horses with good results?
We have used plain orange can Off on our horses when mosquitos are bad, per our vet’s advice.
Works great and has never bothered a horse in the decades we have been using it.
1 Like
I’ve often wondered why the insect repellants noted by the CDC (and, I think, WHO) as being actually effective (e.g. DEET, oil of lemon eucalyptus, and picaridin) are not used in animal products. My suspicion is that the pyrethrins and pyrethroids that are most commonly found in animal products are actually more effective at repelling and killing bugs, but are not on the lists for humans due to toxicity issues. I don’t have any solid basis of that suspicion, though. I think the duration of action for the pyrethrin/roids is also longer than the three “people” repellants.
Edited to add–I guess it would be more accurate to say that DEET and such are not commonly used in animal products, not that they are not used at all, ever…
1 Like
@Toblersmom picaridin is in Centaura which is marketed to horses and other animals (and people.) It never really took off…guessing because of the price? It was spendy. That might be why all those things you list aren’t common for horses–pyrethrin/permethrin is really cheap by comparison.
I asked about DEET + pyrethrins a LONG time ago and got lambasted–people said there was some sort of synergistic effect between the two that can cause problems? I’m not sure if that’s true, though, or what problems it’s supposed to cause.
Lemon eucalyptus is used in equine repellents - at least I have one from the U.K. that contains it. Picarodin is in Farnham Horse Centaura. I just did a quick google - there are probably others. :encouragement:
I’ve been using Farnam’s Centaura since 2013 for my horses and my self. It contains picaridin, but it doesn’t look like it is being made anymore.
Hoping to to find some alternatives in this thread! I miss my Centaura.
Carr Day & Martin have a like of fly sprays and their extra strength version includes DEET. I picked some up awhile back but have yet to try it.
My horses reacted badly to deet. I won’t touch it. My paint mare’s skin peeled everywhere I applied it. I have noticed a lot of horses dance around when deet is applied but will stand for fly spray. Perhaps it burns?
I won’t use Bronco fly spray either after having a similar reaction.
I use Deep Woods Off (same stuff I use on myself) on my horse and it works better than anything else! Vet said “no problems “ to it’s use and it’s so much easier…I spray him and myself at the same time!
3 Likes
I use DEET on my horses with no issues. Have for years.
Have used Deep Woods Off for years if we trail ride in the Summer. No adverse reactions.
I use Deep Woods Off as well, especially in July and August when the hornets and big black horseflies are at their worse. These critters drive our two mares absolutely crazy when they land on them. They will land on their rumps where the horses’s tails can’t reach them.
Our 17.1 half draft mare will slam into the barn gate which connects the barn to the pasture and let you grab those buggers with your hand. I spray Off down their midline on their backs and really hit the top of their rumps. (I use Mosquito Halt first and then Off for that extra shot of protection.) It has made a big difference when these monsters attack them.
Not fun when you are riding or lunging a horse and a horsefly starts to hover over the horse and your horse starts bucking. Truly scary!
1 Like
I’ve used DEET quite a bit on myself and my horses, mainly on our legs for ticks. Never had issues.
I too use Deep Woods Off and have for years. None of my little herd have an issue with it.
1 Like
DEET is in Deep Woods Off. I buy the highest I can and it is great for mosquitos. Not flies.
Eco-Vet (on line) is my choice for flying insects overall.
Thanks guys. I sprayed it on each horse’s right knee and monitored for 6 hours for reactions. No reactions. I doused them the rest of the way. All three are now chilling in the barn eating hay.
I do this when trail riding, when I haul to a place with a large river and many more bugs (it’s not necessary at home); have never had a horse react badly.
Are you having the Ecovet shipped to the US then picking it up? I’m interested in trying it too (chestnut TB lol) and their website says they only sell it in the US right now. I have a couple other supplements that I order and pick up over the border so can add this next time.
Be careful if you are spraying your helmet with OFF… I learned the hard way & ruined a fairly new, custom Samshield. It literally melted the finish.
1 Like
DH and I used highly concentrated DEET when hiking–can’t remember how concentrated. Got some on our plastic thermometer, and the plastic was destroyed.
