Help with getting rid of Deer flys

[UmbrellaGirl]

I just ordered tanglefoot from amazon. Thanks for the info. Are you a scientist by profession?

Yep, guilty as charged!!

[They don't have a smiley face for a scientist, so I'm using a Wizard instead.]

:wizard:

 

[UmbrellaGirl]

Black and White Umbrella - Check
Blue Cups - Check
Little Baggies - Check
Tangle Foot - Check
Christmas Tree rotating stand - Somewhere in my Storage Shed
Velcro straps to attach to Kioti roof - Check
Boom Box playing a Loop of "Singing in the Rain" - should be able to download it off the internet somewhere
Camera - Ain't gonna happen....

Hope it works and hope the neighbors don't think I've spent too much time playing on the tractor - but it sounds like it's worth trying..

awwwwwwwww, c'mon .... not even one picture?!? (do it, do it, do it ... !!!!)

 

[digger Bob]

Hungry is right!
These things folowed us out into Lake Superior about five miles off shore!
They even bite through two layers of clothing.
A south wind is the worst for 'em, on those days I stay inside.

Hows that hope and change working out for you?

 

[Depmandog]

Hmmm

I wonder if a blue hard hat with a clear shower cap would be effective? Spread the sticky stuff on the shower cap, place it over the hard hat, and off you go!

 

[EE_Bota]

One thing I have found that is not related to catching them, but has helped me if I do get bit (I get a bad reaction, especially to Yellow Flies), is to rub Dawn Dish Soap and Hydrocortizone on a bite as soon as I notice it. It seems to dilute or lessen whatever causes the bite to swell. I have even put the Dawn on like it is a sunscreen product at times.

As far as making traps, we have tried painting Clorox bottles black, sparying on sticky stuff, and hanging them is selected areas, It seems to help to some degree.

I saw in one link that the deer flies are really turned on by translational movement...such as going from point A to point B. If the hanging things could actually move sideways somehow, it would likely improve catch rates.

One trick I use when possible...when those things start to swarm me, I back up against something such as a house, barn, or tree. It frustrates them that they can't circle me...and frequently they will leave. <=Leave just reminded me...sometimes on a river, I will cut a small branch and tie it to my back so they get "strained" and that frustrates them too. And instead of looking like an idiot waving my arms all the time, I look like slightly less dumb waving a branch...it annoys them like they were annoying me. It is harder to avoid all the leaves and stems than to avoid my arms.

 

[rekees4300]

Think I'll try the Umbrellagirl method but using a cap instead of an umbrella.

Gave it a try for an hour this morning and it was a no go for me. The Umbrellagirl method was cap functional but unfortunately the pungent odor of the Tanglefoot was more than my stomach could handle. The smell made me nauseous. :yuck: Will use the remainder of the Tanglefoot on trees as it was intended and use Deer Fly patches on the cap.

 

[Tollster]

Some bird house and baths around the house are a good way to combat them. We have many swallows, bluebirds, kingbirds and the such that take their tokk on the flying pests. It took some time to make the place brid friendly such as various bushes that offer cover and food,as well as apple, pear, various fruit trees,and grapes. We also feed them frequently and have water sources around. It seems to be a regular stop for migrating as well as permanent residents. We also have bat houses,but the brown bats are taking a beating in the NE due to some sort of fungus,that wakes them in the winter, then the starve and die off.
It does not get rid of them completely, but its nice to have all the various species around. Wind breaks don't help the issue as much either,so when building one take into account evergreen and decidious tress as well. Every green are year round, while decidious are more of a summer wind break. Any winds reduce your chances of being bit,although the population is still present. The pesticides are like prescription pills and never really solves the problem, just put it off as long as you have money and are medicated.
See what natural predator eats them,then bait that predator to your home. It may take some time though, good luck. I have had luck with bug repellents, OFF makes one called 'Clean feel"pr something like that. It very comfortable to wear compared to the sticky stuff. I use a thema cell when camping, but not sure how it works on deer flies.

 

[deezler]

Gave it a try for an hour this morning and it was a no go for me. The Umbrellagirl method was cap functional but unfortunately the pungent odor of the Tanglefoot was more than my stomach could handle. The smell made me nauseous. :yuck: Will use the remainder of the Tanglefoot on trees as it was intended and use Deer Fly patches on the cap.

Wow, how much did you use ?!? I have never even smelled my hat at all while wearing it.

 

[rekees4300]

Wow, how much did you use ?!? I have never even smelled my hat at all while wearing it.

I bought the tub (without brush) so smeared it on with a paint stir stick that was handy. It was maybe 1/8" thick on average? Was that too much?

 

[UmbrellaGirl]

Make sure to use the correct Tanglefoot product (i.e., Tangle-Trap)

Gave it a try for an hour this morning and it was a no go for me. The Umbrellagirl method was cap functional but unfortunately the pungent odor of the Tanglefoot was more than my stomach could handle. The smell made me nauseous. :yuck: Will use the remainder of the Tanglefoot on trees as it was intended and use Deer Fly patches on the cap.

Please be aware that the Tanglefoot company makes several different products for different purposes. Yes, they have one specifically for trees. That is not the one you want to use on a deer fly trap. You need to specifically use their Tangle-Trap Sticky Coating. I use the canned kind, not the spray. Tangle-Trap has no color and no odor. It is simply sticky.

Try it, you'll like it!!!!