There are many different types of flies in the world that bite both people and animals. Usually dogs attract flies when they are in a dirty environment or have not been cleaned and groomed for a while. Although, most times there is no reason behind why flies bite dogs, it’s a natural phenomenon. As mentioned above there are many types of flies, specifically those that bite. There are biting flies, example deer flies that live in places where there are many animals present as they breed in manure or decaying grain feed. Deer flies are some of the largest flies in the world and can be found in North America. They are known for producing extremely painful bites, due to their scissor like mandibles (teeth). However, the irritation caused by the bite of a horse fly is not lasting. Female horse flies feed on blood, while males seek nectar and sugary liquids and they tend to live in warm temperatures. Another type of fly, is the Biting Midges who are biting flies commonly found near the coast. Adult sand flies measure only 1 to 3 mm in length and are capable of fitting through fine, mesh screens. They breed in salt marsh areas. Larvae thrive in mud and can sometimes be seen swimming freely in infested waters. Larval biting midges pupate at the water’s edge or on floating sticks and leaves. Finally there are black flies who live in the United States but are mostly found up North. They are active during the day and are found near water, biting both humans and animals.active during the day and are often found near moving water. They will feed on humans and animals.
These flies especially can cause skin irritation and itchiness. Dogs usually lick, chew rub or scratch their bites leading to injuries and then flies trying to lay eggs in the wound. They can also become anemic by losing a lot of red blood cells that are essential to deliver oxygen and nutrients all over the body. Adding to anemia, the dogs skin can also be infected by the bacteria that the flies carry around. It is said that flies carry at least 100 different diseases, which they transfer by landing on waste materials before landing on exposed foods, skins etc. The flies larvae (maggots) can also penetrate the dog’s skin, resulting in severe irritation and then bacterial infection. This is called Myiasis and it often occurs in dogs that are neglected. This disease also occurs during the warm weather season (e.g. Summer) when most flies are out. To treat Myiasis the maggots need to be removed by a vet or owner, disposed and then the dog needs to be cleaned thoroughly Finally, flies also tend to bit in the more sensitive parts of the dogs, such as the muzzle and the ears that can also lead to bacterial infection. Once these infections are noticed they are immediately to be taken to a veterinarian for further direction. Other biting flies are the rodent bot fly and bluebottle fly that are very similar to the flies above.
Fortunately there are many methods to protect the dogs from the flies. Such as keeping the dog indoors during the day time, to prevent the flies from reaching it. Also, close of all areas where the flies could enter, for example close or screen doors and windows and vents, keep garbage cans clean and closed etc. However, these are preventive measures. We wanted to create a bug spray that will protect the dogs from the bugs but still be safe for them to use.
There are many different oils that protect flies from humans and there are also many different natural bug repellent recipes for humans but there aren’t any for dogs. We researched the different oils for our repellent but only used five (lavender, tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary). Eucalyptus Oil is the most effective mosquito repellent with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It has a colorless liquid with a strong woody and sweet scent. The oil is also used to help relieve symptoms cold, arthritis, acne,ulcers, bladder diseases,diabetes and is said that it was used in traditional Aboriginal medicines treating fungal infections/skin wounds. This oil has been an effective insect repellent since 1948, when the U.S. registered the oil as an insecticide/miticide. The second oil, is Rosemary. Rosemary is rich in antioxidants and is found in anti inflammatory mixtures. This oil also has positive impacts to the brain when ingested.This oil is also used mainly for scents but still repels bugs.
The third oil used was Tea Tree Oil. Tea Tree oil is a treatment for bug bites as it reduces symptoms. Derived from the leaves of tea tree, this oil is used topically on the skin for infections e.g. acne, fungal infections of the nail, lice, scabies. It is also used as an antiseptic for cuts, burns, stings, infections of the mouth/nose/ear, sore throat along with insect bites. Some people add it to bath water to treat cough, bronchial congestion and pulmonary inflammation. The chemicals may kill bacteria or fungus and reduce allergic skin reactions. Tea Tree Oil is mostly safe although sometimes can cause rashes or dry skin and can affect people using it for acne mildly. Lavendar Oil was another essential used because of it’s many healing properties including analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. It defends the system against airborne viruses and is used for aching muscles, bugs, bacteria, minor burns, cuts/wounds, skin diseases, headaches, moths, midges, mosquito bites, hair loss, stress and anxiety.The final oil used was Peppermint as it is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic. There are many uses when ingested such as cold, cough, inflammation, infections and digestive problems. It also helps headaches, muscle pain, joint conditions, itchiness, allergic rash and most importantly repelling mosquitoes when applied on skin. The oil is also used as a common flavoring agent, used as scent. This oil is very safe but can cause minor reactions when taken internally. All these oils help human beings against repelling bugs but they also help animals as they have relatively mild scents and don’t affect the dog when put on the skin.
An oil that was not used was Neem Oil. Neem Oil has insecticidal compounds that tricks the bugs into thinking already ate from that person/animal. It acts as more of a toxin than repellent. Neem oil is the same as Peppermint Oil as when taken internally there are many benefits such as helping reduce blood sugar levels, heal ulcers in digestive tract, kill bacteria and prevent plaque formation in mouth. Again, when taken internally for long periods of time it can be unsafe and harm the kidney and liver
The following oils were suggested but we didn’t use them for the following reasons:
When using these essential oils, they must be diffused with a carrier oil (also known as base or vegetable oil). Herbal Essential Oils shouldn’t be applied directly on to the skin because they are highly concentrated and can irritate the skin or start a rash. That is why they are mixed with carrier oils to dilute them. Essential oils are volatile, so they evaporate quickly when exposed to air but are soluble in carrier oils. Some examples of carrier oils are,olive, sesame, sunflower or jojoba oil. Carrier oils also, usually do not have a concentrated aroma although some have a distinctive smell. For our repellent we used Witch Hazel. Witch hazel is a bottled liquid that is an astringent. It is a soothing, hypoallergenic and non-drying astringent. In combination with other healing oils, this astringent base can be used to shrink swelling heal cuts, relieve inflammation etc. Witch hazel dries quickly and can leave behind the healing essential oils due to the alcohol base.
These flies especially can cause skin irritation and itchiness. Dogs usually lick, chew rub or scratch their bites leading to injuries and then flies trying to lay eggs in the wound. They can also become anemic by losing a lot of red blood cells that are essential to deliver oxygen and nutrients all over the body. Adding to anemia, the dogs skin can also be infected by the bacteria that the flies carry around. It is said that flies carry at least 100 different diseases, which they transfer by landing on waste materials before landing on exposed foods, skins etc. The flies larvae (maggots) can also penetrate the dog’s skin, resulting in severe irritation and then bacterial infection. This is called Myiasis and it often occurs in dogs that are neglected. This disease also occurs during the warm weather season (e.g. Summer) when most flies are out. To treat Myiasis the maggots need to be removed by a vet or owner, disposed and then the dog needs to be cleaned thoroughly Finally, flies also tend to bit in the more sensitive parts of the dogs, such as the muzzle and the ears that can also lead to bacterial infection. Once these infections are noticed they are immediately to be taken to a veterinarian for further direction. Other biting flies are the rodent bot fly and bluebottle fly that are very similar to the flies above.
Fortunately there are many methods to protect the dogs from the flies. Such as keeping the dog indoors during the day time, to prevent the flies from reaching it. Also, close of all areas where the flies could enter, for example close or screen doors and windows and vents, keep garbage cans clean and closed etc. However, these are preventive measures. We wanted to create a bug spray that will protect the dogs from the bugs but still be safe for them to use.
There are many different oils that protect flies from humans and there are also many different natural bug repellent recipes for humans but there aren’t any for dogs. We researched the different oils for our repellent but only used five (lavender, tea tree, peppermint, eucalyptus and rosemary). Eucalyptus Oil is the most effective mosquito repellent with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. It has a colorless liquid with a strong woody and sweet scent. The oil is also used to help relieve symptoms cold, arthritis, acne,ulcers, bladder diseases,diabetes and is said that it was used in traditional Aboriginal medicines treating fungal infections/skin wounds. This oil has been an effective insect repellent since 1948, when the U.S. registered the oil as an insecticide/miticide. The second oil, is Rosemary. Rosemary is rich in antioxidants and is found in anti inflammatory mixtures. This oil also has positive impacts to the brain when ingested.This oil is also used mainly for scents but still repels bugs.
The third oil used was Tea Tree Oil. Tea Tree oil is a treatment for bug bites as it reduces symptoms. Derived from the leaves of tea tree, this oil is used topically on the skin for infections e.g. acne, fungal infections of the nail, lice, scabies. It is also used as an antiseptic for cuts, burns, stings, infections of the mouth/nose/ear, sore throat along with insect bites. Some people add it to bath water to treat cough, bronchial congestion and pulmonary inflammation. The chemicals may kill bacteria or fungus and reduce allergic skin reactions. Tea Tree Oil is mostly safe although sometimes can cause rashes or dry skin and can affect people using it for acne mildly. Lavendar Oil was another essential used because of it’s many healing properties including analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. It defends the system against airborne viruses and is used for aching muscles, bugs, bacteria, minor burns, cuts/wounds, skin diseases, headaches, moths, midges, mosquito bites, hair loss, stress and anxiety.The final oil used was Peppermint as it is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and analgesic. There are many uses when ingested such as cold, cough, inflammation, infections and digestive problems. It also helps headaches, muscle pain, joint conditions, itchiness, allergic rash and most importantly repelling mosquitoes when applied on skin. The oil is also used as a common flavoring agent, used as scent. This oil is very safe but can cause minor reactions when taken internally. All these oils help human beings against repelling bugs but they also help animals as they have relatively mild scents and don’t affect the dog when put on the skin.
An oil that was not used was Neem Oil. Neem Oil has insecticidal compounds that tricks the bugs into thinking already ate from that person/animal. It acts as more of a toxin than repellent. Neem oil is the same as Peppermint Oil as when taken internally there are many benefits such as helping reduce blood sugar levels, heal ulcers in digestive tract, kill bacteria and prevent plaque formation in mouth. Again, when taken internally for long periods of time it can be unsafe and harm the kidney and liver
The following oils were suggested but we didn’t use them for the following reasons:
- Cinnamon, Basil, Rose, Elemi, Fennel - These essentials oils were used mainly for the scent and had no major bug repelling properties.
- Celery Extract - This liquid was suggested but had no proven results.
- Garlic - This vegetable needs to be eaten for it to work as a bug repelling source and dogs cannot eat garlic. It also has a strong scent.
- Clove Oil - This oil is not good for pets as it is very strong even in small quantities, can cause blood sugar to drop and can cause some intestinal discomfort.
- Soybean Oil - Some people have soybean allergies in the school so it was not ideal to bring to school.
- Catnip - There is not enough information on what the reactions are when it is directly applied onto skin, even though it is used as an insecticide/pesticide.
- Cedarwood Oil - This oil is highly expensive and does not have enough evidence as an insect repellent although it is used as one.
- Lemongrass - Many of the species are not safe to use and can be poisonous. There is also MORE RESEARCH.
- Cajeput - This oil is a relative to tea tree oil however does not work with repelling flies. It can also cause severe allergic reactions and has a somewhat powering smell.
- Myrrh - There are many side effects including, skin rashes when applied directly to skin plus other additional effects when ingested and mostly used for scent.
- Roman Chamomile - This oil was highly overpriced. Although it was a good insect repellant.
- Fennel - Too much of this oil can be poisonous when ingested and can also cause skin rashes.’
- Citronella - Although this oil works very well as a bug repellent, citrus oils are photosensitive and can shouldn’t be exposed to sunlight. It has to seen produce irritation/dermatitis/sensitization in skin when used high concentrations and should not be used on small children. Also there is a very strong scent that can be hard on dogs and the lungs.
- Geranium Oil - This oil can be used to deter ticks and fleas, however it can also cause rashes.
When using these essential oils, they must be diffused with a carrier oil (also known as base or vegetable oil). Herbal Essential Oils shouldn’t be applied directly on to the skin because they are highly concentrated and can irritate the skin or start a rash. That is why they are mixed with carrier oils to dilute them. Essential oils are volatile, so they evaporate quickly when exposed to air but are soluble in carrier oils. Some examples of carrier oils are,olive, sesame, sunflower or jojoba oil. Carrier oils also, usually do not have a concentrated aroma although some have a distinctive smell. For our repellent we used Witch Hazel. Witch hazel is a bottled liquid that is an astringent. It is a soothing, hypoallergenic and non-drying astringent. In combination with other healing oils, this astringent base can be used to shrink swelling heal cuts, relieve inflammation etc. Witch hazel dries quickly and can leave behind the healing essential oils due to the alcohol base.