Is Swat best? GNATS

[GraceLikeRain]

Is there a product better than swat for protecting the midline and ears from gnats? From what I’ve read, neem and lemon eucalyptus are two effective oils. Has anyone mixed them into white petroleum with success? What about CLAC Deo?

New mare has a weird cowlick that is nearly 6" long right on the bottom of her neck. The center of the cowlick is essentially bare and the gnats are positively destroying her already.

Somewhere I think I read something about supplementing with threonine to boost B1 as a gnat deterrent?

Help a girl out!

[Libby2563]

I use Deep Woods OFF instead of SWAT now because I hate the goopiness and it works quite well, although for ears I do fly masks. I just started having to do it here in the last few days. Ugh, I hate them!

[Xanthoria]

Lemongrass eucalyptus oil repels culicoides midges better than anything. Studies prove it. Repel makes a $5 bottle you can get anywhere, marketed as a human mosquito repellent

[DQ_Foxhunter]

I live in Aiken home year round home of the sand flies, ( knots)all of the above ideas are good.
I like No Natz you can buy it locally here but I have also seen it on Amazon.

[GraceLikeRain]

@Xanthoria

Lemongrass eucalyptus oil repels culicoides midges better than anything. Studies prove it. Repel makes a $5 bottle you can get anywhere, marketed as a human mosquito repellent

hot dang! I literally have this in my garage. It completely slipped my mind until I googled it and a picture triggered the memory. Going to do a test patch today (#chestnutmare).

I’ll look into NoKnatz and the Deep Woods OFF. The 98% DEET makes me a bit nervous but I’d be open to spraying it through her tail and on her hooves for a bottom up and back to front shield. @Libby2563 have any of yours ever reacted to it being sprayed directly on the skin?

[PNWjumper]

I like all Equiderma products. I have a pony who is a MESS every summer. Equiderma (the lotion and the fly spray and the diaper-cream-consistency stuff - all of which I have on hand in the spring/summer months) are the only things I’ve found that seem to provide him some relief from the gnats.

[ASB_Stars]

I have a mare with sweet itch. Believe it or not, I use generic mentholatum- from Walmart.

It has camphor, along with eucalyptus, and more sinus clearing essential oils. The consistency holds up better than Swat, and it keeps her more comfy. It’s also MUCH less expensive.

I use neem in my fly spray when it warms up- neem becomes a solid at 70 degrees.

[Xanthoria]

@GraceLikeRain

hot dang! I literally have this in my garage. It completely slipped my mind until I googled it and a picture triggered the memory. Going to do a test patch today (#chestnutmare).

I’ll look into NoKnatz and the Deep Woods OFF. The 98% DEET makes me a bit nervous but I’d be open to spraying it through her tail and on her hooves for a bottom up and back to front shield. @Libby2563 have any of yours ever reacted to it being sprayed directly on the skin?

DEET works too! It’s just very… chemical-y, to use the scientific term 😂

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25079042/

[fourfillies]

I’ve used Deep Woods Off on mine for several years, including my sensitive chestnuts without issues. Really the only thing I’ve had work late in the season for deer flies. But good for gnats too.

[Libby2563]

@GraceLikeRain

I’ll look into NoKnatz and the Deep Woods OFF. The 98% DEET makes me a bit nervous but I’d be open to spraying it through her tail and on her hooves for a bottom up and back to front shield. @Libby2563 have any of yours ever reacted to it being sprayed directly on the skin?

With a new horse I always start with a small spritz but I’ve never had issues other than a slight greasy residue some days (way better than SWAT though!). I don’t spray it all over though, just the cowlick on the chest and then the midline from girth to sheath. I’ll add a spritz under the jaw if needed too. I use it sparingly enough that a bottle usually lasts more than one season for two horses.

I may have accidentally sprayed myself in the eyes yesterday too…

[DinkyDonk]

I’ve never been impressed with Swat. I mix 2 TBS of tea tree oil into the large size generic petroleum jelly (12 oz jar?) and it works great for mid lines plus can be used for any nicks and boo boos.

[leheath]

My vet recommended Desitin (stuff you put on baby’s butts) for the midline and cocoa butter for the ears. They work great, are super cheap, and don’t contain harsh chemicals.

[FatCatFarm]

I second Neem Oil and/or mixing it with generic petroleum jelly. Will also have to try generic mentholatum. Swat is not worth the extra money.

[findeight]

Just buy a tube of generic Zinc Oxide instead of Desitin, which is primarily Zinc Oxide with fragrance added . Dont know about gnals but the ZO works great combined with a jock itch anti fungal for scratches. Get some odd looks from cashiers…

[BackHomeFarm]

I’ve had really good luck with Repel-X lotion. It isn’t goopy like swat and works really well! My mates chest, midline, ears, and chin end up bloody and scabby from the gnats if I don’t do anything. The Repel-X totally prevents that. I also rub any excess from my hands in her tail and I feel like there have been fewer ticks in her tail, too.

[GraceLikeRain]

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone!

My Swat original finally arrived in the mail after two weeks. I think I’m going to use the swat as a physical barrier over her bare areas and then test both the deep woods off and the repel. For some reason, the Repel eucalyptus oil bothers my senses way more than the deep woods. It’s a bit of an overwhelming smell but that’s probably what makes it so effective.

Once I burn through this swat I may try Repel-X for the midline physical barrier.

[Color_of_Light]

@findeight

Just buy a tube of generic Zinc Oxide instead of Desitin, which is primarily Zinc Oxide with fragrance added . Dont know about gnals but the ZO works great combined with a jock itch anti fungal for scratches. Get some odd looks from cashiers…

Yeah, or when you buy KY Jelly, vaginal yeast ointment, Preparation-H, jock itch antifungal, rubber gloves and flushable butt wipes. Talk about getting some side eye and smirks!

Back to gnats and other midline sucking bugs…I’ve had good luck using zinc sunscreen that I personally no longer use on me because it’s expired. It’s usually the type for sensitive skin or for babies. Bugs don’t like biting through oily gunk on their victim. I like the consistency of the zinc sunscreen better than pure zinc oxide and it’s easy to spread. I put it on ears, swirls that bugs like to attack, midline, inside hind legs on certain horses that attract bugs in that area or any area on a particular horse that attracts bugs.

[EmilyM]

I use cosmetic grade neem
oil from amazon. It works. But it stinks

[Iride]

@ASB Stars

I use neem in my fly spray when it warms up- neem becomes a solid at 70 degrees.

You haven’t found that the Neem oil clogs your spray pump?

[ASB_Stars]

@Iride

You haven’t found that the Neem oil clogs your spray pump?

I did- until I realized that it became solid at 70 degrees. I use squeeze bottles to mix up my fly spray when the temps are on the bubble, and put it on with a mitt.

Once it warms up- like when I apply in the afternoons- I can use the sprayer.