It’s that time of year again when fly sprays become part of the daily routine, and yet finding one that works consistently still feels like chasing the impossible. Some people swear by citronella, others prefer DEET, and then there are the stronger insecticide‑based options. I’ve always avoided citronella where I can — I was highly allergic to it as a child, and the smell alone brings back memories.

Here in the UK we don’t have the same range of insecticides that the US do. The stronger ones tend to be prescription‑only, and the concentrations are much more tightly regulated. So for most of us, it’s back to the usual fly repellents. Creams and roll‑ons definitely have their place, especially for faces and those awkward little areas that need extra attention. Sprays are our everyday go‑to, but I’ve learned not to get attached to any one brand — what works brilliantly one summer barely touches the sides the next.

The downside, of course, is that repellents don’t last long. Reapplying them is just part of the season, but not everyone has the time (or the budget) to keep spraying their ponies throughout the day. That’s where the fly rugs and masks come back out. If it’s not wet and muddy, it’s flies, hay fever, or sunburn — never a happy medium

 

Fly season always feels like a juggling act, but once everything is in place, the ponies do seem that bit more comfortable.