Fly repellents work by either repelling flies or killing them upon contact. Repellents contain active ingredients that emit an odor or taste that flies find unpleasant and will try to avoid. Some fly repellents work by combining both repelling and killing properties.
Active Ingredients
The small print is where you should pay attention to the listed ingredients, including the number and type of active ingredients and their percent concentration. The active ingredients are what give the product its killing and repelling power. Active ingredients can be either natural or synthetic.
Comparing Products
Looking at the list of active ingredients and their percentages is one way to compare products and select the one that you think will work best for your needs.
Fly Spray Formulation
In addition to the active ingredients, a product’s formulation is another difference to consider. Most fly sprays can be categorized as oil- or water-based, and there are pros and cons to each type.
Other Fly Management
There are many other things horse owners can do to help keep fly populations down, including good sanitation and manure management, and taking steps to eliminate fly breeding habitats and disrupt their life cycle.