Homemade Cleaner: How to Get Rid of Flies

How to Get Rid of Flies

One of the most interesting things to research online is how a common household cleaner can be used to reduce or eradicate flies. And find that everyone is rave about it.

That cleaner is Shaklee's Basic H. Now, the common misunderstanding is that Basic H is some sort of soap. It's actually a biodegradable surfactant, derived from the natural surfactants found in corn and coconut. Basic-H is not soap or a detergent. Basic-H is 100% organic, non-flammable, non-toxic, and non-irritating (a neutral pH the same as skin, about 6.5). Basic-H is completely biodegradable, phosphate-free, non-volatile, and non-magnetic. The primary ingredients of Basic-H will quickly convert within a few days to water and carbon dioxide when in contact with natural bacteria in water and soil.

Surfactants make water "wetter". But it really just means that it reduces the normal tension water has, and so allows it to interact with other elements and minerals more effectively. Basic-H is an effective cleaner because it lifts dirt and oil from surfaces and holds them in suspension so they can be wiped away. For flies and insects, this means they become more permeable. So they have (as we'll find out below) an aversion to the stuff. But unlike the chemical combinations produced by our modern-day industries, it's perfectly safe as it will break down over time.

And the most difficult thing about it is actually getting rid of it - because it comes in a highly concentrated form and very small amounts are used in cleaning.

In the recipes I've found for fly control, Basic H is usually used in much higher concentrations. But it will still last a long time.

Here's a partial list - just what I've found to treat flies and related nuisances:

Cow Spray: Use 1 part BASIC-H to 4 parts water as a non-toxic cow spray. Flies will leave your cows alone. You can also use 4 ounces of BASIC-G and 1 quart of BASIC-H as your concentrate. Then take 1 ounce of the above concentrate and mix with 1 gallon of water.

White Flies and Aphids: One tsp. of BASIC-H per gallon of water kills aphids quickly, but nothing else.

Horses: This is the most commented subject on the web. You can use it to spray areas where flies breed or congregate, once they have been misted, they can't fly anymore and die. They hate it, and will not bother or bite horses who have been sprayed with it. You can make a diluted spray with 5-7 parts water and one part basic H. PH is in the range of human and horse skin, so it is great for sensitive skinned horses and people.

"Just last year, my neighbor (who owns 12 horses), literally poisoned herself by spraying her horses with chemical fly spray. She inhaled enough of the residual chemicals to cause herself harm. Now she is a Basic H consumer for life!"

Another horse-lover writes:

"For daily shampoo, we drop one capful Basic H into two gallons warm water.Their coats are cleaner, they aren't bothered by mosquitoes and they're less susceptible to fungus infections. Flies appear to stay about 18" to 24" away from ahorse who's been bathed in Basic H. When turning a horse out into a paddock or field, we mix a quart Basic H to 3 parts water and spray the entire animal. It controls flies and mosquitoes all day."

Other horse recipes include:

• Shampoo: 1 tablespoon in 5 gallons of water.
• Fly Spray: 2 oz in 12 oz of water. Use in 16 oz spray bottle. Shiny coats!
• Clean Up: Basic-H is used to wash water buckets and tack off. - ½ tablespoon to 1 gallon of water.

Horseflies: One rider writes:

"I use about 1/3 Basic H to 2/3 water for the big black horseflies. When they are really bad, I've gone to half and half (Basic H and water)."

Gnats: take 2 Tbsp of apple cider vinegar and 2 tsp of sugar with a drop of basic H and put into a cup or jar. Cover with a tight cover of plastic wrap and secure it with a rubber band. Poke a few (3-4) small holes on top, swish the vinegar around and leave it on counter (or wherever they roam) and watch them collect after awhile.

Mosquitoes: Either apply it directly to the skin (do NOT get it in the eyes) or cut it half-and-half with water. As above, it will act as a repellant. And when you come inside, it will wash right off. It's also useful as full-strength on any insect bite to reduce itching.

One dog lover contributed:

"We have mosquitos in Michigan too and I use the basic H on my dogs to keep the flies and mosquitos away. She used to run away from me when she would see me coming with the commercial stuff, but when I go out with "her spray bottle" she will come right up and wait to be sprayed."

Fleas and Ticks: Apply 1 cap full of Basic-H or squirt full-strength to affected area on pet with fleas then shampoo; Basic-H drowns fleas and stops itching. Lather up hair and wait 5 to 10 minutes (suds will be low), then rinse off. Flea dip and shampoo all in one. One owner reported that the chemical combinations left her dog rolling in the yard trying to get them off her fur, but would come running to get treated after experiencing Basic H.

(You don't want to use this remedy with cats, due to the way they clean themselves.)

Yard Spray to Rid of Fleas: In hose bottle (like Ortho's), fill with water, add ½ teaspoon of Basic-H & 1 cap full of Basic-G. Attach to hose & spray yard every 10 days for 3 applications. Use twice a year thereafter to control. Rinse all plants thoroughly.

Note: Please note that Shaklee only endorses human use of their products for cleaning applications. Shaklee products are not tested on animals, nor are they licensed for use with animals. However pet owners all over the country on their own have used different Shaklee products with their pets and reported excellent results.

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How To Get Rid of Flies - Basic H

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