Yeah, there was some studies that said that cullicoides midges are attracted to citronella, and other studies that say they’re mildly repelled by it. But the thing that really repels them is eucalyptus citriodora aka lemon eucalyptus. I’ve tried it on myself and on horses and it really works. Repel makes a version of bug repellent with that in it and it’s pretty cheap.
1 Like
I’ve even mixed generic petroleum jelly with an essential oil (peppermint, menthol, etc) and smeared that on. Cheaper than Swat and again, it’s the goo-y consistency that deters knats or biting bugs more than anything else.
3 Likes
I also use a ton of zinc oxide cream. I have to reapply every 2-3 days. The gnats get stuck in it so they can’t bite. Kind of gross but it does work.
Yup. I slather SWAT. It’s not cost effective but it is effective
This may not be what the OP is looking for, but my donkey gets mauled by flies every year to the point of bloody, infected hot spots if I’m not proactive.
No fly spray prevents it. Swat and zinc oxide don’t prevent it. Poultice works until it dries and falls off, then does nothing.
But Endure Roll On has been the one thing that has noticeably helped. I roll it on her knees/hocks above her fly boots and her chest daily. She still gets some bites, but not the major hot spots she usually deals with.
3 Likes
I have a combo of things that help.
Night turnout.
Fans blowing on horses in stalls.
Barn swallows.
None topical, all help.
I need our barn swallows to get with the program and start making themselves useful. We have a very robust population that does not seem to meaningfully decrease the number of bugs…
I use a mix of about 70% Swat and 30% neem oil, slathered on. My horse is getting daily cold showers this time of year because he doesn’t sweat, so washing that off isn’t really an added step.
I also put Deep Woods Off on his legs.
1 Like
My barn swallows look to do a bang up job on the flies, but zippo on the gnats.
Something else I add when the horses are just SO itchy between their hind legs is a liquid powder there. There are a few marketed for anti chafing. I think it helps when it gets hot and sticky, especially like this time of year when they’re starting their summer shed. I don’t like that swamp ass feeling either! 
I never thought my barn swallows were making much of a difference. But they were slow to return this year and I noticed a definite dent in the swarms of mosquitoes and little bitey gnats when they finally showed up.
I’ve read that the major avian gnat predators are (wait for it) hummingbirds! The little tiny bugs are the main source of protein for hummers. They’re certainly quick enough to chase down anything they choose.
3 Likes
Well then Yippee! I thought I was not going to get any hummers this year but this morning when I was out early, some were flying around. I have not put any feeders up because in the heat the food goes bad fast. But I have planted their favorite flowers - pink petunias, salvia, lilies, crocosmia, lantana. If they are showing up I will rehang a feeder. But it would take a whole flock of them to make a dent in this gnat population. They would not have to fly very much to fill up on gnats here.
1 Like
And I will tell you that the lemon eucalyptus seems to help a little with gnats but it does Nothing to repel mosquitoes. This morning early I was out working in my flower beds so I sprayed my ball cap and the sleeves of my shirt. The mosquitoes were eating me up. Gnats not so much but they may have been sleeping in. Or that stuff was repelling them.
1 Like
@Simkie, what is the name of this powder? I think if I could get the ‘swamp ass’ feeling under control I might have the final piece of the puzzle for my poor guy. (along with zyrtec, the right fly spray, and the right worming cycle for neck threadworms, a fan, night turnout, and…) I was hosing them off today with the cold hose, and while Bella went eek! about her undercarriage being washed with cold water, and Buddy said it was great but not awesome, Sunny was doing an interpretive dance of joy (including grooming the nearest object) about the hose between his butt cheeks…
I have to laugh because goddamn it’s been so hot and sticky and I think my little herd had ALL of those same reactions to a nice cold shower today.
I have these liquid powders
I think you could probably also just add water to corn starch to make a cream. There’s nothing magical about the ready made versions, but it definitely a hell of a lot easier to get something like this between cheeks, vs trying to get some gold bond all up in there.
I also brought out the rx anti itch shampoo today, after my little mare tried to rub a hole in her chest overnight. Sigh. I feel so bad for her. We might be to the steroid point 
I didn’t think we’ve had a worse year for itchy bugs??
Awesome! I will definitely try this. My horses certainly make my Amazon browsing history more interesting…
The month of May was I think our fifth wettest on record for CT? The mosquitoes and gnats are brutal.
2 Likes
I use Coat Defense Paste for this - thick and dries to a hard state so it lasts longer than some of the others (e.g. SWAT) that melt off pretty quickly. Seems to help my mare with sweet itch. Fair warning, it will bleach on dark coats - I don’t care as my mare is retired and its on her midline but it also gets in her tail too.
And I feel like we’re vying for June high temp records today 
I hope the powder helps your guy!
I’ve been using Farnam “Roll-On Fly Repellent for Horses, Ponies & Dogs” for years on sensitive areas such as the inside and outside of ears and on and around udders and sheaths. It’s a greasy mess, but it does work. When I put it along the horse’s underside, I roll a good bit on my hand, and then smear it where it needs to go. It’s usually good for a couple of days. You can get it from Amazon and at most feed stores.
