RICHMOND, Va. – Brooke Riggs, a rising senior in Chemical Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University, has created an alternative to chemical sprays that control flies on horses.
Riggs is using crowdfunding through Kickstarter.comto make the first production run of what she calls Champion’s Natural Fly Spray.
It’s a fly repellent spray made from a proprietary blend of essential oils.
“The idea came to me when I was taking organic chemistry and became curious in the chemicals I was using to keep the flies at bay,” Riggs said.
She then decided to investigate the use of plant-based essential oils to repel flies.
After two years of researching and developing various formulations, she said she has reached success and made a safe and natural alternative to what she called “harmful chemical sprays” currently used to control flies in the equestrian community.
Some big names in the equestrian community have come forward to voice support for an option which helps them avoid “spraying chemicals on our horses.”
“The spray is made from a blend of essential oils that I have worked with while at TheLab,” Riggs said and thanked management at her part-time place of employment for their help.
Her “all-or-nothing” Kickstarter campaign hopes to raise $15,000 in 30 days. Riggs said that, if funded, the first production run of Champion’s Natural Fly Spray will be shipped to backers by late August 2015.
Riggs can be found on Facebook, Kickstarter, Twitter (@ChampsNoFiles) and Champion’s Website.
