Safe Fly Spray for Horses, & Pets Key takeaways
- A spray labelled safe for horses can still harm toddlers or pups if it packs high-solvent carriers.
- Look for ≤ 5 % permethrin or botanical oils, water/oil carriers, and no PBO when kids under four play in the barn.
- Three natural blends—Ecovet, UltraShield Green, Pyranha Zero-Bite—cleared every kid-and-dog safety tick box.
- Prop 65 flag: sprays with petroleum distillate or PBO need extra ventilation in California.
1 Safe Fly Spray for Horses & Pets
Why kid-and-dog safety is a different game
A 1-year-old pup licks fresh spray off hocks. A toddler crawls, hands meet stall wall residue, fingers head to mouth. Adult-safe doses crash fast for tiny bodies. My rule? If you wouldn’t mist it on your own arm and skip washing, don’t use it around preschoolers.
2 Scan the label—four red flags to ditch
- Warning: Cats – Means oils fatal to felines. Barn cats wander; swap product.
- Petroleum distillate ≥ 10 % – Solvent fumes linger at floor level.
- Piperonyl butoxide (PBO) – Synergist boosts permethrin but irritates lungs.
- Pressurised aerosol for horses – Propellant hangs in the aisle like fog.
3 Natural Safe Fly Spray for Horses, Kids & Dogs that actually work
| Click-to-shop | Why it’s safer |
|---|---|
 | Food-grade fatty acids, no solvent, 60 h lab efficacy. |
 | Seven essential oils, zero pyrethrin; pleasant mint scent. |
 | Cedar + clove; dries fast, no sticky film on dog fur. |
4 Low-permethrin synthetics that still pass the sniff test
- Farnam Equisect uses 0.16 % pyrethrin in a water base. Rinse hands, you’re safe.
- Country Vet Metered Kit mists micro-doses every 15 min, avoiding puddles kids might touch.
5 Ventilation and timing tips
- Spray after the breakfast feed; air clears by afternoon pony rides.
- Box-fan at door pulls solvent cloud out in two minutes.
- Mask puppies in grooming cross-ties with a damp towel over crate front.
6 Printable Safety Checklist
Right-click and save. Print on A4, laminate, hang by the tack-room light switch.
7 Prop 65 and your insurance policy
California requires warnings for PBO or distillates. Post visible placards; insurers may deny claims if signage is missing. Swap to botanicals if you’re tired of paperwork.
FAQ About Safe Fly Spray for Horses & pets
Can I spray dogs directly?
Only if label says “for dogs.” Ecovet yes; UltraShield Green no—spray hands, wipe coat.
Kids riding lead-line—safe to spray pony right before?
Give ten minutes and brush off wet spots first.
Do essential oils attract bees?
Citrus/cedar repel; sweet floral oils can draw curious bees—stick to cedar blends.
What if my dog licks permethrin?
Call vet. Quick rinse mouth, feed charcoal biscuit; most doses are low but get pro advice.