Ecovet fly spray---anyone using it?

[2horseygirls]

UPDATE: June 2019 - I know this is an old thread, but wanted to provide feedback.

My gelding (13yo Percheron) developed a severe reaction to bug bites about 3 years ago. We have had him on Kinetic Vet EquiShield SA powder + Hydroxyzine powder, as well as every salve, spray, etc. available.

This year, I saw in an email from COTH the 25% off code for EcoVet (that sadly expired 6/15), so I ordered the 18oz bottle, figuring why not, especially at 25% off?

So he has been using it for about a month. We are in N IL, land of the never ending rain, so it has been tested with inclement weather.

My barn manager has said not only does it seem to be working beautifully while he is outdoors, there are zero bugs in his stall at night (she applies it indoors). So not only is he happy, but his girlfriends on either side of him also appreciate the lack of flies as well.

The only downside to it is: it is horrible to apply. She said it is being referred to as “The Toxic Cloud”. This is even with the new scent (I can only assume). I am bringing some disposable cotton rounds (like we use for makeup remover) to the barn so she can swipe his ears and other smaller areas.

There was a tip on one of the other threads about applying it that I am sharing with her: “I put the nozzle directly on the horse and spray at the poll, wither, arm, fetlock, opposite inside arm, opposite inside fetlock, point of hip, hock, fetlock, opposite inside hock, opposite inside fetlock, dock then switch sides and do the same. 20 sprays in all. Bottle lasts awhile. Doesn’t get all over me. Doesn’t make the horse sneeze. Seems to really work!” (apologies for not properly accrediting the tip, but I closed out of that window before I noted the name.)

EcoVet appears to be available via Amazon and Chewy for significantly less $$$ (I have not called EcoVet yet to see if Amazon and Chewy are authorized distributors of the genuine product).

• EcoVet site - $125 per gallon
• Amazon - $80.40 per gallon (36% savings)
• Chewy - $80.40 per gallon (ditto)

Side note: in looking at the guaranteed analysis for the KV EquiShield SA powder, it is made up of MSM, Hyaluronic Acid, Vitamin E, and Quercetin, in a ground flaxseed base. Since I am already supplementing MSM, Hyaluronic Acid, & Vitamin E, I adjusted those amounts, and added the Quercetin. He already gets chia seed (vs flaxseed) so I am not adding flaxseed.

So far so good! Keep your fingers crossed, and I will update around Labor Day or so.

Good luck to all in the fly battle!

[DMK]

If it doesn’t have a sticker on it saying “new scent” you may have an older bottle/old scent.

I only figured this out THIS year when I looked at the gallon I bought last year at a Dover sale for about that amazon price… Since the display had NEW SCENT branded in large letters, I just assumed it was also the new scent. It was only this year when I bought another gallon that came with a free small bottle, and I was using the small bottle since the old sprayer died, that I realized THIS bottle was in fact the “new” scent (still noxious, just 50% less so) and last year’s sale was getting rid of the old stuff. Oh well, both work and I just hold my breath, go in for a side, step out and get another breath and head back in for the other side. The pony HATES it (sneeze/snorts), I think the TB could care less if I blasted him in the face.

[CindyCRNA]

Bumping this as my guy is getting eaten alive this year and nothing is working. Ordered it off Amazon for $20 for 18oz. Read thru the comments for proper application so we shall see. I am mentally prepared for the smell.

[Tucker5]

I don’t have a problem with the smell of EcoVet. As long as I don’t inhale the actual droplets, I’m totally fine with it. My previous horse was a bit sensitive to it but the current one, meh. I am careful how and where I spray it. I also mix it with other standard fly sprays. Good luck, I hope it gives your horse some relief.

[pony_baloney]

Gosh, I wondered why I was getting replies to this topic. This is old!! I’ve been using Ecovet for years since I started this thread and it’s really the only one that’s been working better than other sprays. Funny thing though, I think before they improved the scent, it worked just a bit better. After the smell dies down a bit it’s actually quite pleasant, like some sort of cologne. Today I caught a huge whiff and it sent me into a coughing fit.

[CindyCRNA]

How are you applying it? Legs, belly, croup and poll?

[Pico_Banana]

I apply it on legs, one spray on chest, belly, croup including top of tail, mane, one spray down underside of neck, and one at the withers. If it’s obviously going to be a bad day, I then use the green ultrashield to spray the rest. I know that’s more than what ecovet says you need, but I think it’s more effective used this way.

[Pezanos]

I noticed that too and even wrote the company about it.

[EVneo]

I moved fans from the stall fronts to the top corner and forgot about the new breeze direction, went to spray ecovet and it went straight into my face and mouth. consider me dead, still coughing hours later.

[cnd8]

I live in South Georgia which is VERY humid and very buggy, so keep that in mind. I absolutely hate this flyspray. It is borderline painful to apply, regardless of how hard I try not to breathe any in, and I do not find that it works all that well for very long. In addition, the bottle indicates that it needs to be applied to a dry horse. Well, that’s kind of hard in a South Georgia summer. You’ve either just ridden (sweat), just hosed your horse off after a ride (wet), or your horse is standing in the pasture during the day (you guessed it, sweating). I board, so I can’t be at the barn to apply this crap at the magical dry moment. LOL

I’ve had the best luck with Smartpak’s OutSmart fly spray. It works throughout the day and is not fussy.

[CindyCRNA]

So we are a few days to using it and I will say it is the only thing that keeps the mosquitos off his neck. It is not horrible smelling but don’t inhale it or you have a coughing fit . I spray it on his high neck fly sheet and that seems to keep them off his face and upper neck. This stuff is a winner in my book.

[erinmeri]

I use it occasionally and do find it effective… but I find the smell really offensive. It smells like something died in a wall and you tried to cover it up in grandma’s perfume. Not only that, but I find I can smell it while riding, that the taste gets in my mouth, that I get whiffs on myself on the drive home, and that if I am not careful it makes horses cough and noses run. I can wear a mask for the latter… them, not so much.

[2horseygirls]

Jumping back in to add that a vet on a podcast* out of Florida recommends using sunless tanning mitts to apply Ecovet - remove the sprayer, tip the bottle onto the mitt, and apply in all the nooks and crannies without the Toxic Cloud of Death.

Sadly, the bestest boy ever passed on 5/27/2021, but until then, EcoVet was our ride-or-die fly spray. I still wholeheartedly endorse it in the FB horse groups, and was shocked when EcoVet reached out for permission to use my endorsement for their social media this spring!

*Podcast: S1E7 Death to the $#%! Flies! From the Horse Doctor’s Mouth by Spring Hill Equine Veterinary Service, Newberry, FL

[blue_heron]

I swear this fly spray is the only gd thing that works. I have the tiny bottle of super concentrated stuff and just do chest, armpits, sheath/udder, and ears if I’m allowed and it seems to make a significant difference. It doesn’t get in the air either. I do have the regular spray too but I dilute it with equal parts water and I think it helps with the occasional suffocating smell.

[Danged_Arab]

I started using Ecovet a couple of years ago because it was the most effective spray I’d ever come across in my 60 years of riding. But it is not very effective for deer flies.

Last month I decided to try Fly Bye, and holy cow, it’s even better! I see the deer flies flying around my mare, but they don’t land, or they land briefly and then leave. And it smells nice. It is VERY oily however, and when I ordered the quart spray bottle from Big Dee’s, the top came loose in shipping and the bottle was half empty. They reshipped immediately, and the 2nd one came completely empty. Third time was the charm. Now I’ll only get the gallon.

[Kyrabee]

My barn owner switched me on to Fly-Bye. We had > 20 days over 100 degrees last summer and nothing was working including Ecovet. I need to order a gallon for the summer. At least it smells good and doesn’t choke you like Ecovet.

Susan

[pony_baloney]

I noticed that Fly-By contains geranium oil. Does it smell like that?? I LOVE that scent. If it does I may be in danger of purposely inhaling it. Is it applied like regular sprays or just in a few spots like Ecovet?

[Kyrabee]

Yes, Fly-Bye has a pleasant floral scent…says my nose. My horse stands still to apply.
With Ecovet, I get the stink eye as soon as I pull the bottle out and we get the fly spray flamenco while I apply. Last year I was taking her outside and making sure I was upwind… .

Susan

[Pico_Banana]

Thanks for this update! I am normally an Ecovet user but am always on the lookout for something better. Will give Fly-Bye a try!

[cnd8]

Where do you purchase Fly-Bye? I only see it on a couple of sites, so I want to make sure I’m looking at the same product you guys are describing. Can someone share a link, please?