DIY Fly Spray for Horses, Donkeys and Pets

By Jules Morris · First shared August 2023

Jules Morris in overalls in the kitchen with text reading Let's make homemade fly spray

Jules Morris in the kitchen about to make homemade fly spray

We have been focused on flies this week! We all have to deal with them, so it pays to be as knowledgeable as possible. Throughout my time as a proud donkey, horse, and even goat mama, I’ve sampled pretty much every fly spray available on store shelves. Some were grand, others… not so much. None of them seem to last the amount of time promised on the bottle and many have harsh chemicals. And let me tell you, the cost certainly starts to add up after a while.

But I’ve got some news: I stumbled upon a homemade fly spray recipe that I am finding to be just as effective as the store-bought ones. And the cherry on top? It’s notably friendlier on the wallet and also on your animals! Plus it smells good! It is so easy and has just 4 ingredients:

DIY fly spray recipe

1 cup Skin So Soft original bath oil
2 cups white vinegar
1 tablespoon citronella oil
1/3 cup water

Bottle of Avon Skin So Soft original bath oil for DIY fly spray — Skin So Soft original bath oil

Jug of distilled white vinegar used in DIY fly spray — White vinegar

Bottles of citronella essential oil for DIY fly spray — Citronella oil

These ingredients last for numerous batches of spray so the investment is so worth it. The photos above show the ones I use. All you need to do is mix the ingredients together in a spray bottle, give it a thorough shake, and there you have it: a formidable weapon against those pesky flies!

Now, I’m not proclaiming it to be a miracle mixture. Its effectiveness can hinge on various factors like your region and the type of flies you’re dealing with. But in my own experience here in East Tennessee, this homemade blend is holding its own against commercial varieties. And if you have the time and opportunity to craft something equally good at nearly half the price, it’s an absolute win-win!

A couple of spritzes on my donkeys and horses, and they’re back to happy grazing without a fly in sight.

Stay fly-free my friends!