Homemade Fly Repellent Spray

[kansasdexters]

I've been working on concocting a homemade fly repellent spray that the cows would not object to, that I could use on both cows and calves, and that would effectively repel stable flies (from their legs) and horn flies (from their backs and heads). Here is what I came up with that worked really well today:

1/2 cup Canola Oil (or Olive Oil)
50 drops Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil
1 Tablespoon Peppermint Essential Oil
1/2 cup Witch Hazel
1/2 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 cup Dawn Mist Rinse-free Shampoo & Body Bath
1 squirt Lemon Ajax Dish Washing Liquid

Add the essential oils into the canola oil in a 3-cup glass measuring cup. Stir to mix the oils together, then add the remaining ingredients. Pour into an amber glass spray bottle and shake well to mix before using. Makes 2 cups of fly repellent.

I started brushing the cow from the back to the front, lightly spraying as I brushed with a curry. Then I sprayed her rear legs and the backs of her front legs, the flies just fell off and new ones that landed on the sprayed areas immediately flew away. The effect lasted for several hours. The cow did not object to being sprayed (this was a big surprise, because she usually hates it and I have to tie her up before spraying).

The Dawn Mist Rinse-free Shampoo & Body Bath is a product that nursing homes use to give sponge baths:

kckmedical.com/dawnmistrinsefreeshampooandbodybath.aspx

Patti

[Dahdo]

Thanks Patti! I have been using a dilute permethrin solution, but the cows hate it. I had thought it was the spray bottle sound they objected to, but now I wonder if is the permethrin odor. I am am going to try your recipe...sounds like it works well.

[dexterlady]

Thanks patty for the recipe...I am going to try it....Where do you the essential oils from?...Thanks again...Donna

[kansasdexters]

Hi Donna,

You can order these online or get them from a natural foods store. Here is a link to Edens Garden for the essential oils: www.edensgarden.com/essential-oils/single-oils


Patti

[zephyrhillsusan]

Thanks, Patti!

[lonecowhand]

Hi Patti, How did the Homemade fly concoction work for you last season?
Did anyone else out there try it?

[Dahdo]

I did try Patti's recipe, but my cows would not stand still to be sprayed. In my attempts at long range spraying, at least half the concoction was lost on the ground, so I can't evaluate how effective it was here. The essential oils were fairly expensive, so until I can get the cows to stand and be sprayed, or come up with another application method, I won't try it again.

[kansasdexters]

We use this before milking or when we are brushing the cows, so getting them to stand still isn't a problem for us. It works well for a day or two, until they lick it off of their legs.

[lonecowhand]

Minty fresh breath, tho...