Homemade fly spray?

[Cindyg]

I have Skin So Soft, Citronella oil, and vinegar. How do I turn this into a fly spray? And what do I need to add to keep mosquitoes off my horse? He's super sensitive and almost unrideable when he's swarmed by mosquitoes. I already have him on Bug Check and vinegar.

[Lusoluv]

This is what I use:

2 Cup vinegar
1 Cup skin so soft
1 Tbsp. citronella
1 Cup water

Shake your sprayer before applying. This should work for mosquitoes or flies. No spray, home made or commercially made works perfectly, but I'd rather know that my horse can't lick off or absorb powerful chemicals. I rest easier with the home made remedies!

[ThoroughbredFancy]

I used to know a recipe with apple cider vinegar and skin so soft...I will have to find it.

Or you could check out

http://www.chronicleforums.com/Forum/showthread.php?t=104176&highlight=leukemia+research

[LDavis104]

In the regular 32 oz sprayer bottle I do about 1/3 of SSS, 1/3 Apple Cider Vinegar (or white vinegar), 1/3 water, and ~ 1/2 tsp. of the essential oil. You could maybe go with a bit less SSS if you wanted to make that last longer.

[the_other_mother]

I use 50/50 Skin So Soft and Water, to which I add 5 drops of citronella oil, 5 drops clove bud oil, and 5 drops eucalyptis oil. There are several variations of thiis recipe, you can substitute the water for lemon pine sol or apple cider vinegar, and also use penny royal, peppermint or lemon grass oil as your essential oil additives. ***Be careful with anything oil based (i.e. SSS) as the oil can cause a sun reaction/burn. ***

[sublimequine]

I don't even bother adding water to my homemade fly sprays anymore. What I'd do is fill a spray bottle about 7/8 with Vinegar. 1/8 SSS. And about 1 tsp citronella oil.

Here's my own personal recipe:

Fill bottle with vinegar (white or ACV, it honestly makes no difference)
1 tsp citronella oil
1 tsp eucalyptus oil

I've considered adding a splash of SSS to make it a bit stronger, but I like that mine is "all natural", and I'm unsure if all the ingredients in SSS are "natural". :)

[birdsong]

I use the SSS, vinegar, water, and a bit of pyrethrum. My horse sneezes with the vinegar , but it works. The SSS works well for no-seums as all can attest to here in Fl...but also works as a sticking agent which I think is important to have.

[JB]

Skin so Soft contains BHT, which, along with BHA, has known potential carcinogenic properties.

It's used in embalming fluid, jet fuel, and as a rubber stabilizer.

Now, how much it takes, or how often of small applications, it would take to potentially cause a problem in horses or people, I couldn't begin to tell you. But I avoid those 2 things like the plague when at all possible.

[Seven-up]

I can't stand the smell of SSS by itself--I can't even imagine how putrid that would be if there was vinegar in it too...:lol:

[sublimequine]

I can't stand the smell of SSS by itself--I can't even imagine how putrid that would be if there was vinegar in it too...:lol:

Citronella and eucalyptus don't smell that great either.. but I figure, the worse it smells, the more the flies will be repelled! :lol:

[birdsong]

It stinks..believe me! As for SSS containing carcinogenic properties...ever checked the label on furizone? (I think thats the one with the cancer warning) Everything in moderation...and when we use it the most in Fl it is sure to be washed off in the daily deluges of summer.

[Seven-up]

Citronella and eucalyptus don't smell that great either.. but I figure, the worse it smells, the more the flies will be repelled! :lol:

Very true. But flies love poo. And I'm not sure they have noses.;)

[ytr45]

Where do you recommend buying the citronella and/or eucalyptus oil at a good price? Is it an expensive health-food store type thing?

[sublimequine]

Where do you recommend buying the citronella and/or eucalyptus oil at a good price? Is it an expensive health-food store type thing?

No way, if they were expensive I wouldn't get them. :lol:

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com is where I get my oils for fly spray. :)

[JB]

I can't stand the smell of SSS by itself--I can't even imagine how putrid that would be if there was vinegar in it too...:lol:
the smell of SSS makes me want to hurl!

Citronella and eucalyptus don't smell that great either.. but I figure, the worse it smells, the more the flies will be repelled! :lol:
what smells worse than rotting meat? Flies love that ;)

I love the smell of eucalyptus and citronella!

It stinks..believe me! As for SSS containing carcinogenic properties...ever checked the label on furizone? (I think thats the one with the cancer warning) Everything in moderation...and when we use it the most in Fl it is sure to be washed off in the daily deluges of summer.
Yep, read that label too, and threw all mine out ;) Haven't used it in 15 years. There are products just as good or better, without that risk ;)

[ytr45]

thanks Sublimeequine. I checked out the Mountain Rose website. So I'm curious what size container of essential oil one would buy to make enough fly spray for the whole summer - would you need the 16oz bottle of citronella?

[Cindyg]

thanks Sublimeequine. I checked out the Mountain Rose website. So I'm curious what size container of essential oil one would buy to make enough fly spray for the whole summer - would you need the 16oz bottle of citronella?

I wouldn't think so! The recipes above call for a teaspoon at a time.

[FootPerfect]

Water, white vinegar and Listerine. Just can't remember the ratio. Makes them smell like a giant salad.