If you’ve ever stood in the fly spray aisle wondering whether “natural” means “doesn’t work,” you’re not alone. I’ve been there too — squinting at ingredient lists, doing mental math on cost per ounce, and ultimately just grabbing whatever’s on sale.
Here’s the thing: natural fly sprays have come a long way. Some of them actually work now. But not all of them — and at $30-50 per gallon, you don’t want to guess wrong.
I’ve tested a lot of fly sprays over the years. These are the natural options that have earned a permanent spot in my barn.
Quick Comparison: Best Natural Fly Sprays
| Product | Best For | Active Ingredients | Avg. Price | My Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UltraCruz Natural | Best Overall Value | Clove, Peppermint, Thyme | $38/gal | ★★★★★ |
| Pyranha Zero-Bite | Longest Lasting | Geraniol, Peppermint | $42/gal | ★★★★☆ |
| Absorbine UltraShield Green | Sensitive Skin | Citronella, Clove, Thyme | $45/gal | ★★★★☆ |
| OutSmart Fly Spray | Riders Too | Plant-based blend | $48/gal | ★★★☆☆ |
My Top Pick: UltraCruz Equine Natural Fly and Tick Spray
[PHOTO: UltraCruz gallon jug]
If I had to pick one natural fly spray for the whole season, this is it.
Why I love it:
- Actually repels flies for 2-3 hours (not the “15 minutes if you’re lucky” some natural sprays give you)
- The gallon refill is the best price-per-ounce I’ve found
- Smells good without being overwhelming
- Safe for daily use
The honest truth: It’s not going to last as long as chemical sprays. Nothing natural will. But for the price point and effectiveness, UltraCruz hits the sweet spot.
I buy the gallon and refill smaller spray bottles throughout the season. Way more economical than buying individual bottles every few weeks.
Shop UltraCruz Natural Fly Spray — $38
Best for Long-Lasting Protection: Pyranha Zero-Bite
[PHOTO: Pyranha bottle]
When I need something that lasts a little longer — like for a show day or a long trail ride — Pyranha Zero-Bite is my go-to.
Why it works:
- Geraniol-based formula that actually has some staying power
- Repels flies, mosquitoes, gnats, and ticks
- No pyrethrins or permethrins
- Pleasant peppermint scent
The catch: It’s pricier than UltraCruz, and I don’t think the extra cost is worth it for everyday barn use. But for days when I need it to LAST, it’s worth having on hand.
Best for Sensitive Horses: Absorbine UltraShield Green
[PHOTO: Absorbine bottle]
If your horse has sensitive skin or tends to react to fly sprays, UltraShield Green is gentle but effective.
What makes it different:
- 7 essential oil blend (citronella, clove, thyme, cedarwood, and more)
- No harsh chemicals that can irritate skin
- Aloe and lanolin keep coat conditioned
- Works on horses with known skin sensitivities
Real talk: This is the one I use on my mare who reacts to basically everything. No hives, no dry coat, and she actually tolerates the application (which says a lot).
Shop Absorbine UltraShield Green — $45
Best for Horse AND Rider: OutSmart Fly Spray
[PHOTO: OutSmart bottle]
OutSmart’s selling point is that you can use it on yourself too. Which sounds gimmicky until you’re getting eaten alive while trying to tack up.
The pros:
- Plant-based, DEET-free
- Safe for horses, riders, and dogs
- Fresh scent (not that overpowering citronella smell)
- Works on mosquitoes and ticks too
My honest take: The effectiveness on horses is just okay — I’d rank it below UltraCruz and Pyranha. But for trail rides where I want to spray myself AND my horse with the same bottle, it’s convenient.
How I Actually Use Fly Spray (The Refill System)
Here’s my barn hack that saves me probably $200+ per season:
- Buy gallons, not bottles. The per-ounce price is way better.
- Refill smaller spray bottles. I keep 2-3 cheap spray bottles around the barn and refill from the gallon.
- Label everything. I just got a label maker for this — no more mystery spray bottles.
[PHOTO: Refill setup with gallon and smaller bottles]
It takes 30 seconds to refill and saves a ton of money over the season.
The Bottom Line
If I had to pick just one: UltraCruz Natural Fly and Tick Spray gives you the best balance of effectiveness and value for daily use.
For show days or long trail rides: Pyranha Zero-Bite lasts longer when you need it to.
For sensitive horses: Absorbine UltraShield Green is gentle but still gets the job done.
Natural fly sprays won’t give you all-day protection like the chemical stuff. But if you’re trying to reduce what you’re putting on your horse (and yourself), these are the ones actually worth buying.
Have a fly spray that’s worked for you? Or one that was a total waste of money? I’d love to hear — drop a comment or send me a DM.
More fly season prep:
- Best Fly Masks for Horses 2026 (coming soon)
- Do Fly Leg Wraps Actually Work? (coming soon)
Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I actually use and trust.
