What Repels Horse Flies And Deer Flies – Best Fly Repellents You Can Try

Deer flies are a type of fly that can be found in different parts of the world.

They tend to be bigger than regular houseflies and can fly very fast, making them annoying for people who enjoy outdoor activities.

Horse flies are larger, blood-sucking insects from the Tabanidae family. These flies can carry swamp fever, which is fatal to horses and causes painful bites to humans and animals.

Horse flies and deer flies are primarily attracted to movement and heat, so they are often seen near areas of high activity, like horse stables, corrals, and pastures.

For this reason, keeping them away from your animals and yourself can be difficult.

If you want to eliminate deer flies, a mixture of essential oils, like peppermint, citronella, eucalyptus, and lavender, can be a solution.

However, for this eradication method to work effectively and for a long, you’ll also need to carry out several yard maintenance tasks and fog your property with a residual insecticide before or at the beginning of periods when deer fly activity is high.

Without these cultural controls, attempting any pesticide control – fogging or using common pyrethrin or pyrethroid insecticides – won’t be as effective.

If you’re tired of being bothered by deer flies and horse flies, don’t worry.

In this article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about these pesky insects, what repels them, and how to keep them away using some most effective repellants.

Do Deer Flies And Horse Flies Bite?

Horse and deer flies are more active during daylight in the hot summer or early fall, so take extra care to protect yourself if they’re a problem for you and your animals.

They’re often attracted to their prey by any combination of sight, smell, warmth, movement, dark colors, shiny surfaces, or carbon dioxide.

Deer and horse fly cause deep puncture wounds on cattle by releasing an anticoagulant in their saliva.

This leads to heavy blood loss, interfering with the animal’s ability to graze or milk production.

Although both male and female deer flies are pesky, only the females cause pain since they need blood to generate fertile eggs.

Female flies also have stronger dominant mouthparts that can even go through clothing.

These irritable, relentless bugs often nibble on the head or shoulders of their hosts while in motion – even starting again if disturbed.

What Scent Do Horse Flies And Deer Flies Hate?

Horse and deer flies typically hate sprays that contain ingredients including peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, catnip, clove, basil, rosemary, and tea tree.

You can make the natural spray solution by following these steps…

Step 1. Get a clean spray bottle for this natural repellent solution and fill it with 1/2 or 3/4 part water.

Step 2. Add drops of your favorite essential oil to the water, and shake well.

Step 3. Spray the solution around your surroundings or on the affected area.

Alternatively, you can make a homemade solution using 1 cup water, 2 cups apple cider vinegar, and one tablespoon of each citronella oil and eucalyptus oil.

This water-based spray solution is especially effective for horses in your stable if you want to prevent horse flies from affecting them.

Combine all ingredients, shaking well.

Spray the solution in affected areas, and wipe it onto the horse with a piece of clothing, taking care not to get any near the top eyes as it may irritate them.

Reapply the repellent mixture as needed.

Generally, once a day is fine, but depending on the severity of the problem, you may need to apply it more frequently.

Best Deer Fly And Horse Fly Repellents to Keep them Away

You can use various natural repellent sprays to keep the flies away. Here are some of the best repellents available on the market…

1- Buggins Natural Bug Repellent

If you are looking for an odorless insect repellent that offers reliable protection against deer flies and other biting insects, this product is for you.

This effective insect repellent contains all-natural essential oils like geraniol, peppermint, and lemongrass.

The product has no chemicals whatsoever, including DEET; it comes in a spray bottle for easy application.

Buggins V Extreme is also available in a twin pack; it contains DEET and 2x biting fly repellent for extra protection.

2- All Terrain Natural Insect Repellent

This all-natural, potent insect repellent keeps deer flies at bay while enjoying the outdoors.

Unlike many other options on the market, this product is DEET and GMO-free, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin use.

Additionally, eco-friendly and won’t damage your clothes or gear. Safe to use around your pets too!

3- Coleman 100 Max Insects and Flies Repellent

This product offers 100% DEET protection against deer flies and other harmful insects. The bug spray is water-resistant and sweat-proof, providing up to 10 hours of adequate coverage.

It is one of the most potent deer fly repellents available, so a small amount goes a long way. You don’t need to rub it in – just spray and go.

Besides the above, you can try a few other effective repellants for horse flies and deer flies. These include:

• Repel Insect Repellent
• Sawyer Picaridin Repellent
• Sawyer Premium Insect Repellent
• 3M Ultrathon Insect and Flies Repellent

In case you want to trap the nearby flies in areas, you can use an excellent product named Starbar Fly Terminator Pro.

Reusable, insecticide-free, and eco-friendly, this jug trap lures deer flies (up to 35,000 flies) to their doom with its pungent odor. The built-in handle makes it a cinch to hang up.

The Conclusion

Horse flies and deer flies can be a real pain, not just for you but also for your animals. Luckily, there are some effective repellents available that can keep these pesky insects at bay.

Using a water-based repellent spray solution is the best way to keep horse flies away. You can make this natural repellent solution using essential oils and water.

If the situation is difficult to control, you can use a DEET-based repellent for extra protection.

When using any repellent spray, please keep it away from the eyes and mouth of your animals, and wash your hands thoroughly after application.