Essential Oils as Insect and Tick Repellents: Do They Really Work?

For centuries, people have turned to essential oils like lemongrass, citronella, rosemary, and lavender, trusting in their reputation as effective insect repellents. But do these oils truly work as well as we've been led to believe? And are these the right oils to use in repelling pesky insects like flies and ticks?

To understand this better, let’s first consider an important factor: the nature of essential oils themselves. In perfumery, it's widely accepted that essential oil aromas dissipate after about two hours when applied to the skin. If this is the case, are essential oils really an effective long-term solution for keeping insects and ticks at bay, for ourselves, our horses, or our dogs? At Precious Pony Naturals, we've delved deeply into these questions, with some surprising revelations.

Our best selling fly and tick repellent balm goes beyond the traditional recommendations of essential oils like citronella. While these oils are popular, we’ve discovered that they may not be the most effective repellents when it comes to protecting horses from biting insects. Instead, we’ve found success using using oils with the highest frequency for the task —oils chosen not only for their insect-repelling properties but for the calming, soothing effects they have on horses as this will be on their skin, the biggest organ of the body, all day.

The origins of our unique formula are quite special. One of our beloved horses, an incredibly sensitive chestnut, helped us pinpoint which essential oils to use. When asked what the most powerful repellent oils were, we were guided to a precise set of oils—none of which were the traditional go-tos like citronella or rosemary. As a final touch, we added a deeply soothing oil that promotes a sense of calm and happiness in horses, a vital component that helps them feel at ease even during pest-heavy seasons.

The result was a balm so powerful that its efficacy far exceeded our expectations. One of the main reasons for this is its formulation: we chose a balm over a spray. Why? The answer lies in the magical properties of beeswax and sweet almond oil. These two ingredients work in harmony to prolong the effects of the essential oils, trapping the molecules in the horse's hair and allowing them to stay active longer. Even after daily grooming, you can still smell the balm’s gentle fragrance on the horse's coat. Unlike sprays that evaporate quickly, our balm only needs to be applied every second or third day, specifically in areas where flies and ticks are most likely to bite, such as the legs, tail, and sensitive areas where flies draw blood.

Through hours of observation, we discovered something fascinating about how flies behave around horses. Flies prefer certain areas of the body, avoiding others like the withers and the top of the scapula where the horse’s natural muscular activity helps to shake them away. Armed with this knowledge, we designed our balm to be applied precisely in the areas where flies are most likely to land and stay.

While our experiences and observations are compelling, we also back our product with scientific evidence. Research shows that clove oil, one of the key ingredients in our blend, is highly effective in repelling mosquitoes and ticks. With less than 0.8% clove oil in our formula, we have carefully balanced this ingredient with others, guided by veterinary data, aromatherapy cosmetic standards, and rigorous scientific research to ensure both safety and efficacy.

At Precious Pony Naturals, we pride ourselves on creating products that are not only effective but also safe for horses. All our formulations are non-toxic, with no risk of harmful reactions. This careful attention to detail and extensive research goes into every product we make, ensuring that they provide the best possible care for horses—inside and out.

In conclusion, while traditional essential oils have long been believed to repel insects, they may not be the most potent option. Our fly and tick balm offers a modern, researched approach to natural protection, with carefully selected ingredients that go beyond simple insect repelling, creating a natural, calming, long-lasting, and highly effective solution for horses.