The best fly sprays for home, horses & outdoors
Shoo…. Go away, nasty insects!
Do annoying flies visit your place often? You might want to take a look at these fly sprays.
A fly spray is a chemical insecticide in an aerosol can. You spray it into the air to terminate unwanted flies. Fly sprays generally kill house flies and wasps, but some also kill insects like ants, spiders and cockroaches.
An insect or a fly that has been sprayed with it usually appear to go crazy. It accelerates its movement and ends up drowsy on its back with its legs up in the air before it dies. It happens because fly sprays have toxins that are disastrous to the nerve tissue.
If you follow the instructions mentioned in the label of a fly spray, expect your problem with flies to be over in a matter of seconds. Some of the gestures you might witness in those few seconds are probably post-mortem muscle twitches. Bigger and stronger flies might wrestle a little longer than the smaller ones.
Fly sprays are unsafe to humans and other animals and must be used with caution. Almost all fly sprays are toxic that is why it is important to keep them in a safe place.
Here are the top 8 fly sprays based on our thorough research – from their features, strengths, to their weaknesses.
Best overall
Raid House & Garden Fly Spray
Raid House & Garden Fly Spray
This fly spray is the overall best one. It kills flies and other unwelcome insects on contact and won’t damage your garden or house plants.
- Effectiveness:
- Features:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
This fly spray has a special formula that terminates flying, crawling and garden insects. It is easy to use and can be applied both outdoors and indoors. You can spray it where insects like flies, cockroaches, spiders and ants may infest. It can also kill different outdoor and indoor insects such as caterpillars, crickets, mosquitoes, aphids, water bugs, webworms, whiteflies, and so many more. It is not only good for flies and other insects but can also be used on ailing plants that have contracted a spider or mite infection or plants that have aphids and black spots.
We do not want the chemical smell of fly sprays, especially when there are children around. This brand does not have a persisting chemical odor. It has a pleasant scent for both humans and pets.
Best for outdoors
Alpine PT Pressurized Fly Spray
Alpine PT Pressurized Fly Spray
This product may be used with fly light products such as the Vector Classic, Vector Plasma, and Vector Plasma One. This measure is best for fly population depletion.
- Effectiveness:
- Features:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
A product that has a solution that kills flies in a wide range of environment. The targeted pests of this fly spray are house flies, flesh flies, filth flies, and small fruit or vinegar flies. The formula of this fly spray has baiting properties and is fast acting. It will give you satisfaction because it provides a quick kill that has a proven formula for thirty days on non-porous surfaces. It is a highly flexible insecticide that is good for commercial and residential settings and can be used for band, spot or area treatment applications. It is great to use especially around garbage containers. It is also recommended for outdoor events to avoid fly problems surrounding trash containers and also in commercial trash and recycling areas.
This fly spray is easily used and dries with no mess. It also does not leave any odor. For best results in preventing flies, you can use it together with other fly control products such as fly traps with drain cleaners, and contact or residual sprays.
Best for house
Raid Flying Insect Fly Spray
Raid Flying Insect Fly Spray
This fly spray is easy to use. It lets you aim the spray directly to the insect to avoid wasteful use.
- Effectiveness:
- Features:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
Flying insects can be unbelievably difficult to handle creatures. This is because of their speed in escaping. Flies can be annoying flying pests as they are prone to take over dwellings. This fly spray is water-based provides quick kill of flies, moths, fleas and mosquitoes when sprayed straight onto them. It is also effective on crawling insects such as ants, silverfish, spiders and cockroaches. This product is recommended for indoor use although it can also be applied outdoors.
Caution is needed as this product has environmental hazards. It is highly toxic to bees susceptible to direct treatment. It is likewise poisonous to blooming weeds or crops. In addition, this fly spray is extremely flammable and should not be sprayed on an incandescent material or a naked flame.
This product has pyrethroids and these chemicals are prone to resistance. It also has no residual option. And although this is said to also work outdoors, it will not appropriately solve outdoor infestations.
Best for barns
Country Vet Metered Fly Spray
Country Vet Metered Fly Spray
One of the good things this product offers is that it contains ingredients that are natural and not toxic to anyone, but kills unwanted flies and other insects. Its clean and fresh scent will stay in a room for up to thirty days.
- Effectiveness:
- Features:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
Let your hairy friend be safe from those bothersome flies! This trusty horse fly spray will come in handy and rescue your beloved animals. It eliminates flies, small flying moths and gnats. This fly defense spray has botanical insecticide pyrethrins. This organic compound keeps your horse pest-free. It also offers a pleasant fresh outdoor scent.
This product is EPA registered and USDA rated for use in handling and food processing areas. It also has its Country Vet Automatic Metered Dispenser that is sold separately. This easy-to-use version has a basic on/off switch, five-year warranty, two-year battery life, and can be utilized with any refill sold by Country Vet.
There have been complaints about its spray nozzle not dispensing properly or worse, missing. You might want to remind the seller to make sure that the item is complete before sending it to you.
Best for dogs
Absorbine UltraShield EX Insecticide Fly Spray
Absorbine UltraShield EX Insecticide Fly Spray
To be called an award-winning fly spray means the product really delivers excellent results. Its advanced formula carries various coat conditioners and sunscreens like lanolin and aloe.
- Effectiveness:
- Features:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
Undesirable flies can also be attracted to animals’ coats. One example is your canine member of the family. If your dog’s coat is unclean or matted due to an illness or a skin condition, flies can be expected to go near it.
This fly spray offers long-lasting protection and comfort for your animals. It has a water-based formula and is perfect for most difficult conditions. It is said to be weatherproof for up to 17 days because of UltraBond Technology. To add, it terminates more than 70 species such as flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and ticks.
This pesticide is highly toxic to aquatic organisms. This includes aquatic invertebrates and fish. To protect and preserve the environment, make sure to keep this product away from drainages, surface waters, gutters, storm drains and drainage ditches. It is best to apply this fly spray during calm weather to ensure that rain or wind does not wash or blow pesticide off the area under treatment.
Best for horses
Farnam Endure Sweat-Resistant Fly Spray
Farnam Endure Sweat-Resistant Fly Spray
It is the only fly spray in the market that has a special formula that is designed with RepeLock conditioner. It holds together to the hair shaft to give fast knockdown of unwanted insects, especially with deer tick which is prone to transmitting Lyme Disease.
- Effectiveness:
- Features:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
Keep flies away from your horse with this amazing product. This is water-resistant and remains on even in wet conditions such as rain and sweat. This product can be applied either as a wipe or as a spray. For your horse’s face, always put on using a clean and absorbent piece of cloth or sponge. Always wear mitt or rubber gloves when applying as a wipe. Spray or wipe the entire body of your horse while your brush against its coat layers to ensure sufficient coverage. Make sure to avoid getting sprayed into horse’s mouth, nose or eyes.
A protection up to 14 days against flies and biting gnats is expected. This fly spray is very easy to use and offers even coverage. Downside of this product is its container. There are several reports of this product arriving that are either leaking or cracked.
Best for yard
Cutter Backyard Bug Control OutDoor Fly Srpay
Cutter Backyard Bug Control OutDoor Fly Srpay
This product is highly recommended to terminate pesky insects in small areas. If your family is fond of going outdoors, this product will be very useful to you since it is very handy yet effective.
- Effectiveness:
- Features:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
Manage your lawns well by treating it with an all-around spray. During summertime, everyone just wants to be outside enjoying the heat of the sun. This easy-to-use product promises protection for you and your family against flies, mosquitoes, bugs and other insects while you are enjoying outdoors. It is recommended for decks, picnic areas, patios, camping, and backyards. For best results, use this fly spray product during calm weather. You may spray with the wind if slight breeze is present. It is noted that this product is very effective at killing flies on contact. The fogger is made of good quality. The price is reasonable and the product is very handy that is why it is ideal for small areas.
The thing about this fly spray is that it is discouraged to be used more than once per day. Furthermore, people and pets must avoid entering the treated area until the product dries. It is also not effective on large amounts of flies and insects. It is not ideal for big areas.
Best for cattle
Bonide Dust-On Fly, Lice & Tick Control Fly Spray
Bonide Dust-On Fly, Lice & Tick Control Fly Spray
Although this product is highly effective in eliminating flies, mites, fleas, lice, ticks and other insects, it is acceptable to be used around cattle, swine, horses, poultry and dogs.
- Effectiveness:
- Features:
- Ease of use:
- Value for money:
It assures to kill and repel insect pests up to 4 weeks. The product is best used around cattle, poultry, horses, dogs and swine. It is a reliable fly prevention product for controlling flies, ticks, mites and lice among other crawling and flying insects. It is important to remember not to apply this product when bees are active in the area. Do not also apply if rain is expected within 24 hours or if the wind generates drift.
It is discouraged for adults, children, and pets to go into the area being treated until the dust has settled. It is also not recommended to be used as a broadcast treatment to surfaces located indoors such as nurseries, residential areas, day care centers, hospitals, nursing homes and schools.
While this product can also be used outdoors, it is best to use it as directed. All outdoor treatments should be limited to spot or crack and crevice management only, excluding these uses: applications to turn, lawns and other vegetation; treatment to vegetation or soil around structures; and applications to building foundations up to 3 feet in height. In addition, there are also complaints about its powder going everywhere during application.
What to look for in a good fly spray for home, horses & outdoors
People and animals are both important. We want to be comfortable wherever we go. Flies and other unwanted insects often become problems to us because they can harm us by causing stress and spreading bacteria and diseases.
If not controlled early on, these pesky insects may increase their number and cause us more problems in the future. The feeding habits of flies are scary and dangerous to one’s health. They lay eggs and feed on animal manure, garbage, and other dirt. Sad to say that later on, they land on your food or other surfaces and things that we often touch or use. And while some people are being protected from germs transferred by flies because of their immune system, there are also some that are more prone to fly-related risks – the elderly, infants and people that are immunocompromised.
In addition, flies and these insects generally breed quickly that is why we are sharing to you these vital components on what to look for in a fly spray to control these flies in settling in our spaces and beloved animals.
Effectiveness
There are several conditions and diseases that are caused and transmitted by flies. Eyeworms, summer sores, equine infectious anemia virus, hypersensitivity, pigeon fever, and onchocerciasis are just few of them. These conditions will harm us and our animals. For that reason, it is important to choose a fly spray that is effective and efficient. Always remember that not all fly sprays work alike. Each one of them is made with different formulas.
Features
A fly spray that can terminate various types of flies and insects will do wonders in saving us from being infested with those unpleasant creatures. What you see on those labels is important because there you will know what your fly spray can do. Manufactures are unlikely to just put anything they want to include on the labels because fly sprays are highly regulated for efficacy and safety of the users. It is also good to know the active ingredients of the product you are buying to know if it is safe for humans or animals, or is it worth your money, etc.
Ease of use
Nowadays, we want products that are easy to handle. Our day-to-day errands are keeping our hands busy and having easy-to use products will save us from being exhausted. With fly sprays, it is better to have something that is both proven effective and handy. However, there are different uses for fly sprays. Some infestations won’t get solved with some small products. They may need heavy-duty fly protection products to answer their fly problems. In the end, convenience is also a big factor in choosing which fly spray to get.
Value for money
For people who value quality, spending a little over the budget is fine. There are products that are expensive yet ineffective that is why reviews are vital in choosing a product to purchase. Since you are spending your hard-earned money, it is also good to know if the product is worthy to be bought. It is always better to spend more on a product with excellent outcome than spending on cheaper ones but eventually spending more because the product does not deliver effectively.
FAQ
Are fly sprays safe to humans?
Generally, no. The effects may not be noticed immediately, though. However, when fly sprays are used, we inhale it and frequent use of it makes the toxic chemicals to be stored in our body. The effect of this on us is long-term.
There are several options which you can try out to eliminate those flies. Various natural ways can also be done. One of the best ways to keep you from harm from those flies is to avoid conditions that invite them. Make sure to keep your home, both inside and outside areas clean.
If infestation is there and fly sprays are already needed, be sure to comply with the directions to be safe.
How do fly sprays kill flies?
Fly sprays have pyrethrin as an ingredient. It is a chemical that is toxic to insects. Insecticides weakens the acetylcholinesterase enzyme that a fly must have to relax its muscles. Once applied with the fly spray, its muscles contract non-stop and makes it impossible for the fly to breathe. It suffocates right away and dies.
What is the active ingredient in a fly spray?
Different fly sprays have different active ingredients. Most of those that are being sold in the market have these – pyrethrin and permethrin.
Pyrethrins are contact poisons that functions fast in penetrating the skin or shell of the insect. When this happens, the nervous system becomes paralyzed. It is important to know that pyrethrins don’t kill the insect. There is a part of an insect the detoxifies the pyrethrins, letting some of them recover after a while, thus numerous fly spray manufacturers add synergists to their product formulas to aid in delaying the fly’s enzyme action, making sure of a lethal dose.
Permethrin works as a neurotoxin like pyrethrin. This is highly toxic to animals such as cats and will kill them. Fly sprays for horses usually have this as an ingredient. Permethrin is stronger and more stable than pyrethrin and formulas that have permethrin usually provide longer protection.
Can you make your own fly spray?
Yes. There are many homemade fly spray recipes you can find online. If your problem with flies is not severe, you might just want to try some homemade fly sprays. There are several recipes that use essential oils, apple cider vinegar, liquid oil, and dish soap.
Final verdict
In choosing the best fly spray for you to purchase, it is best to identify the pest you want to terminate. Buying a pesticide must be well-thought of because generally, pesticides have toxic ingredients that harmful to both humans and animals. Once decided to get it, try to purchase the least toxic one.
There are many choices available in the market now. You just need to know your purpose of buying one and make sure to secure your fly spray away from children and animals because it can harm them if used incorrectly. Act fast before infestations happen. Remember that, prevention is always better than cure.
