If you’ve spent more than a minute outside with your horse lately, you’ve probably noticed it… the flies are relentless. As a natural horse care practitioner, I hear it every summer: “What can I use that actually works—and won’t harm my horse?”
In this post, I’m sharing my go-to natural fly control tips that I use with my own horses and clients—safe, effective, and aligned with a whole-horse approach.
1. Essential Oils for Natural Fly Control
- Peppermint – Cools and repels insects
- Lavender – Calming and mildly insect-repelling
- Cedarwood – Great against mosquitoes and flies
- Citronella – A classic fly deterrent
- Eucalyptus – Strong and effective (especially lemon eucalyptus)
DIY Fly Spray Recipe (Always dilute and shake well before each use):
- 10 drops Peppermint
- 10 drops Citronella
- 10 drops Lavender
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1 tbsp witch hazel or apple cider vinegar
- Optional: a few drops of natural dish soap for emulsifying
Spray on a cloth and wipe around sensitive areas (eyes, nose, ears), and spray liberally on legs and body (avoiding face).
⚠️ Always do a patch test before full-body application and avoid eyes and mucous membranes.
2. Keep It Clean
A clean barn is your best friend in fly season. A few easy wins:
- Daily manure removal
- Keep hay and feed areas tidy
- Dump standing water sources
- Use stall fans (flies hate moving air)
If you compost, make sure the pile is turned and located far from your barn.
3. Natural Fly Traps & Predators
Flies are smart, but not that smart. Try:
- DIY Fly Traps: A mason jar with apple cider vinegar, sugar, and a few drops of dish soap
- Fly Predators: Tiny parasitic wasps that stop flies from developing—great for long-term control
4. Herbal Feed-Through Support
Some horse owners find adding garlic or apple cider vinegar to feed can deter flies. It depends on the horse, but many do well with:
- 1–2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar per day
- 1–2 tsp of garlic granules (check for sulfur-free and monitor tolerance)
As always, check with your vet or equine nutritionist before adding to the diet.
5. Physical Barriers Still Work
Sometimes simple is best:
- Fly masks with ears
- Fly sheets for sensitive horses
- Leg wraps or fly boots
Combine these with your natural sprays, and your horse has a solid defense.
Want an Essential Oils Starter Kit for Your Barn?
I’ve created a guide for horse-safe essential oils and blends I use myself. Plus, if you’re curious about using Young Living oils with your horses, I can help you get started.