Lou McLeod: Deer Fly Control and Deterrent Tips to Keep Biting Flies Away

Thursday 25 May 2017

Deer Fly Control and Deterrent Tips to Keep Biting Flies Away

Deer Fly Control and Deterrent Tips to Keep Biting Flies Away was originally seen on http://ift.tt/1nr27gs

osquito season around here, I thought I'd take a minute to share some tips for deer fly control to help you keep biting flies away. (See Natural Mosquito Repellents That Work and Natural Tick Control for more on those biting insects.)

Where do Deer Flies Live? Is there a “Deer fly Season”?

As anyone who has ventured into the woods can tell you where deer flies prefer to hang out. Since they lay their eggs in mud areas near water, swamps and wet lands are some of the worst spots to get bit. That said, they also make themselves at home around livestock, campgrounds, and open fields – anywhere there's a meal nearby and somewhere to lay their eggs not too far away. Deer fly season peeks in June/July in most of their range. They are common throughout most of the United States and Canada.

Do all Deer Flies Bite?

Deer flies are also called a Marsh Fly, Sheep Fly, Yellow Fly, Pine Fly, May Fly, and Salt Marsh Greenheads. Whatever you call them, they're annoying. The females are the guilty parties. They're after your blood, and their bites really itch. The males feed on pollen and nectar from plants.

Deer flies tend to go for the head and upper body, whereas horse flies like to go for the legs. Deer flies are about 1/4″ to 1/3″ (6 -8 mm) long. Horse flies are about 2-3 times the size of deer flies. Like mosquitoes, deer flies are attracted to carbon dioxide from breathing, warmth, motion and darker colors.

Deer fly saliva contains an anti-coagulant, which means the bites keep bleeding for a while. Those who are allergic to anticoagulants can have a reaction to deer fly bites. The bites will swell and itch, so it's important to keep kids from scratching to prevent secondary infections. Check out 15 Home Remedies for Bug Bites and Stings for treatment tips.

Deer Fly Deterrent to Keep Biting Flies Away from Your Head

My youngest complained about deer flies every time he mowed the yard. The deer flies dive bombed his eyes and circled his head.

A while back my husband told me a story about when he was a Boy Scout. They were traveling through a swampy area in Canada, being plagued by deer flies. Their guide plucked a muddy fern and set it on top of his hat. The flies started circling the fern instead of his head. The rest of the troops followed suit, and they were one their way without flies in their faces.

We're short on ferns around here, but do have peacock feathers. I took my son's hat, a little duct tape and a couple of feathers, and set him up with his own personal deer fly deterrent.

Voila! No more flies in the eyes. He hasn't been bit or bothered by deer flies since he started wearing this hat. Plus, I think he makes those feathers look good.

More Deer Fly Deterrents and Deer Fly Control Tips

Deerfly patches stick onto your hat to trap the little buggers, and larger sticky traps for deer flies and other biting flies to keep near your barn, stable or campsite. The patches might also work well on a pant leg or wrist if the flies are really bad and going after any exposed skin.

Tom B. shared another handy option on our Facebook page for those who are driving tractors:

“My uncle has a cattle ranch in Canada. The land is completely flat, and he is also plagued with deer flies when he's out on his tractor. His trick is tying a red rag to a tall plastic pipe strapped to his tractor. Always works. They go after the tallest thing around.”

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