MAYFLIES! Any deterent?

General Lee · Jun 20, 2010

These things are at full blitz in my area and tear your a** up while mowing. Anyone have any tips to keep them away? I have heard of a dryer sheet under your hat or tucked in the collar of your shirt but haven't tried it yet. Or does a simple spray of DEET work?

John (Toronto) · Jun 20, 2010

You must have different Mayflies in Maryland! The ones I'm used to don't have any equipment (biting mouth parts, stingers, etc) to rip your a** off.

These aren't what you're talking about are they?

John

rmully · Jun 20, 2010

Sure it is not black flies ??

DocHeb · Jun 21, 2010

Or deerflies? If they are deerflies, try Tred-Not Deerfly Patches at Biocontrol Networks

General Lee · Jun 21, 2010

DocHeb said:
Or deerflies? If they are deerflies, try Tred-Not Deerfly Patches at Biocontrol Networks

Yes, Deerflies are what I'm talking about. This paragraph says it all:

Deerflies are abundant in marshy and wooded areas. They lie in wait in the shade of bushes, trees, and other plants waiting for a victim to pass by. They are attracted to moving dark silhouettes, carbon dioxide, and odors. They usually buzz around your head in circles, lighting momentarily several times before biting. They are strong fliers and will pursue their victim until they get what they want--BLOOD. They are not repelled easily with conventional repellents.

WayneB · Jun 21, 2010

We seem to have more deer flies this year than in years past, although I think I said that last year too!

We built someting that looks like this and catches a bunch of them, but not all.

HORSE PAL Horsefly Trap - Newman Enterprises, Omro, WI - biting flies, horse fly, deer fly, yellow fly, greenhead, horsefly, deerfly, fly bites, fly trap, bitingflies, horsepal

Oh and another thing that we wear around here is a bug baffler head gear. I also have the full length baffler that works great with black flies in the early spring.

http://www.bugbaffler.com/products.htm

dave1949 · Jun 21, 2010

WayneB said:
We seem to have more deer flies this year than in years past, although I think I said that last year too!

They are thick over this way too. We had plenty last year and this year is worse.

They are attracted to heat, like hydraulic cylinders and lines on my FEL. Then, a lucky few get stuck in the grease

I've brushed spruce tree boughs along a trail with the FEL bucket and seen them come out by the dozens.
Dave.

polo1665 · Jun 21, 2010

Granted that they are not real bad here I have found that OFF! works just fine. They seem to attack as I am moving form sun to shade or vice versa. More annoying than anything else, buzzing around your head like they do.

Mark

MossRoad · Jun 21, 2010

MAYFLIES! Any deterent?...

Yes... JUNE! :laughing:

rekees4300 · Jun 21, 2010

DocHeb said:
Or deerflies? If they are deerflies, try Tred-Not Deerfly Patches at Biocontrol Networks

$2.95 for a 4/pk but shipping is $11.84 - I'd like to try these BUT refuse to be ripped off for shipping.

DocHeb · Jun 21, 2010

rekees4300 said:
$2.95 for a 4/pk but shipping is $11.84 - I'd like to try these BUT refuse to be ripped off for shipping.

You can make similiar traps using "Tanglefoot" on index cards (yellow paper is said to be the best), attached with safety pins. Tanglefoot is a sticky paste that is used to trap some orchard pests. It can probably be found at higher quality feed stores or garden supplies (and on-line, but you will have to pay for shipping!) You will, however, make a few more cards from a 15 oz tub. I have never found DEET to be an effetive deterent against these flying devils.

teg · Jun 21, 2010

rekees4300 said:
$2.95 for a 4/pk but shipping is $11.84 - I'd like to try these BUT refuse to be ripped off for shipping.

Amazon.com: 12 / Pk Deerfly Patches Deer Fly Traps: Health &…

Not sure if it's any better from from Amazon???

polo1665 · Jun 21, 2010

MossRoad said:
MAYFLIES! Any deterent?...

Yes... JUNE! :laughing:

Yeah, but then you gotta worry about them darn June bugs.

MossRoad · Jun 21, 2010

polo1665 said:
Yeah, but then you gotta worry about them darn June bugs.

DOH! :laughing:

Egon · Jun 21, 2010

Let the Lawn go Natural and stay inside!:thumbsup:

MossRoad · Jun 21, 2010

General Lee said:
These things are at full blitz in my area and tear your a** up while mowing.

Have you tried wearing pants?

General Lee · Jun 21, 2010

MossRoad said:
Have you tried wearing pants?

:laughing: I actually chuckled out loud.

rekees4300 · Jun 21, 2010

teg said:
Amazon.com: 12 / Pk Deerfly Patches Deer Fly Traps: Health &?/URL]

Not sure if it's any better from from Amazon???

They should change the name of amazon.com to amazing.com. Is there anything they don't sell!? They have the patches in 12, 40, and 80 packs and the shipping is less than $5.00 for each. Ordered the 12 pack ($4.49 + $4.59). If they work I'll get the 80 pack ... anything that will stop the devil's spawn is priceless!

MossRoad · Jun 21, 2010

General Lee said:
:laughing: I actually chuckled out loud.

Good! My work is done here.

dave1949 · Jun 21, 2010

DocHeb said:
You can make similiar traps using "Tanglefoot" on index cards (yellow paper is said to be the best), attached with safety pins. Tanglefoot is a sticky paste that is used to trap some orchard pests. It can probably be found at higher quality feed stores or garden supplies (and on-line, but you will have to pay for shipping!) You will, however, make a few more cards from a 15 oz tub. I have never found DEET to be an effetive deterent against these flying devils.

DEET, when applied heavily enough to cause neurological damage, will keep the boogers from biting. They land and then take off right away. This effect lasts for about 20 minutes after bathing in DEET.

Thanks for the tip on Tanglefoot. I have to look into that.

Dave.