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    • Jennifer - Head Shaking

Insect Control for Horses

Bug Off! - Tips for Getting Relief from those Pesky Pests
By Gloria Garland L.Ac, Dipl. Ac. & CH.

Image of a horse with a face mask on for natural fly control for horses.Dryer Sheets and a fly mask chase the bugs away

​Fly and mosquito season is definitely here in the Sierra Foothills where I live and ride. After an unusually wet and cool spring the flies and mosquitoes are here in full force and I am determined not to be pushed around by bugs!!  I just put in a double order for fly predators and put out several stinky fly traps around the barn. I hope this isn’t a preview of the coming summer.

Natural Fly Control for Horses
​Some of the additional things I do to make the battle against the bugs a little easier are the following:

For easy insect repellent application I use a three gallon garden tank sprayer. The type used to spray weed killer in the garden. I like a plant based, natural repellent mixed with water. Or I make up my own with the following essential oils. Add 2 tablespoons each of tea tree, geranium, rosemary, and eucalyptus. Mix with a cup of white vinegar and a dash of dish soap in a gallon of water. (You can add aloe juice if you like) Shake well with every application.

I just pump the sprayer, press the trigger on the spray wand and pass it over the horse. This gives a steady, even coating with little effort. I have three horses to spray down in the mornings and it makes the process go so much quicker.

I also tie or rubber band fabric softer sheets to my horses’ manes and tails. This also works well on camping trips. I just leave them on for several days.

When I am on the trail - I keep a small rag soaked with a 50/50 mixture of Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil and alcohol in a zip lock bag. I have separate a human rag and a horsey rag. They fit easily into your saddle bag.

Herbs for horses educational series # 2
Equine Herbs educational series # 1

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​P.O. Box 544
Oakhurst, CA 93644-0544

559-683-4434
Copyright ©1996-2025  by Gloria Garland / Whole Horse Herbs
  • Welcome
    • About Us
    • Whole Horse Resources
    • Blog
  • Articles & Education
    • Acupressure Books & Charts
    • Cinnamon
    • Chinese Hemp for Horses
    • Digestive Health
    • Equine Acupuncture
    • Equine Rehabilitation with Herbs
    • Fight Cancer with Fungi
    • First Aid for Horse and Rider
    • Fight Fungal Infections
    • Ginseng
    • Gou Qi Zi
    • He Shu Wu
    • Herbs and Acupuncture for Horses
    • Herbs to Soothe the Stress of Weaning
    • How Herbs Work
    • Huang Qi
    • Jiao Gu Lan & Laminitis
    • Mares and Vitex
    • Promoting Health Naturally
    • Remarkable Reishi
    • Seasonal Skin Allergies
    • Springtime Tune-up
    • ST36 - Zu San Li
    • Suan Zao Ren
    • Tui Na Massage
  • ABOUT HERBS FOR HORSES
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Ancient Herbal Formulas
    • Herbs for Pets
  • Whole Horse Herb Store
  • Our Herbal Formulas
    • Arthritis & Movement
    • Horse Allergies and Skin
    • Calming and Focus
    • Cushings and Insulin Resistance
    • Digestion, Ulcer, & Colic Support
    • Equine Recurrent Uveitis Support (Moon Blindness)
    • Equine Respiratory
    • EPM Support
    • First Aid & Liniments
    • Immune Support
    • Mares
    • Nutritional Support - Antioxidants and Omegas
    • Performance Horse Support
    • Racehorse Support Formulas
  • DIY Horse
    • Apple Cider Vinegar
    • Arnica
    • Bug Off
    • Green Grooming Your Horse
    • Greenthread Tea
    • Herbal First Aid for Horse and Rider
    • Hops prevent Laminitis
    • Liniments for Horses
    • Loss of a Pasture Mate
    • Make your own Linaments
    • Mullein
    • TCM can Help with Seasonal Allergies
  • Nutritional Support
  • CASE HISTORIES
    • Testimonials
    • Campbell-Arthritis & Movement
    • Spring - Arthritis & Movement
    • Cotton - ERU
    • Chappy- Racehorse Formula
    • Chips - Arthritis & Movement
    • Katie - EPM treatment
    • Altivo de Viking (Alti) - Digestive
    • Malarky - Pigeon Fever
    • Durango - ERU
    • Chance - Agression
    • Miro - Tendon Support
    • Jennifer - Head Shaking