Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

So you're in the woods and you're being harassed by swarms of black flies.... what do you do?

What are proven effective measures to avoid their wrath?

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

Hope this helps?

http://www.virginmedia.com/images/sa...fly-431x30.jpg

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

When I was working in the bush up in Northern Manitoba years ago we would use a bugoff jacket. It was a mesh jacket with hood (you could also get pants. You would store it for at least an hour in a ziplock bag with a squirt of muskoil before wearing it. I found it good for 4-5 hours. You don't really need the pants if you tuck your pant legs into your socks (so the little buggers don't crawl up your leg). In muggy heat it allows you to work wearing lighter clothing (or shirtless). A hat works if they are light (and for horseflies), but use the hood if they are heavier.
:coolbeer:

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

Lead with your left jab followed by an uppercut right. :biggrin:

100% DEET works good too.

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

When I used to camp, and we were eating, we would throw watermelon or other food about 10 feet away or so from the table.
I think it helped.

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

smouldering cow dung helped with flies and mosquitos

kinda stinky though

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

When I wanted to get back into running I would go on the trails through the forest at sunset. I forced me to push myself because if I slowed down I'd get swarmed by insects.

Anyway, there are too many flies to fight. You should just run away.

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

Bug jacket.

Mind of steel. (the default for Northern Ontarians)

Those are your only 2 real choices.

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

Learn to talk like the indians, keep your teeth together. Put an "eh" in every once in a while. Like "Keep your teeth together , Eh":111: That will strain out the little beggers.:rofl::rofl:

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

Bite first. They're good protein.

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

Muskol works against black flies.

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

Pack a flamethrower. Let a cloud build and unleash a good burst. Repeat as needed.

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

I've been using Ole Time Woodsman Fly Dope for over thirty years. Guess that makes me an Ole Time Woodsman, eh ?

I do know its sold at a couple places in the Adrondack area iffin' you're up thatways.
It is available widely on the interweb. The link was to the first link when I searched.

I'll warn ya, just a lil' bit goes a long way. Last bottle I bought was five years ago.
It stinks too but it works. Only product I've ever found that'll keep black flies away.
Best to use it on a bandana 'round your neck.

Other that that I'd suggest you take up cigar or pipe smokin'.

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

Many, many moons ago

When I canoed pretty regularly

In the Canadian border waters for

Extended periods of time, and boy, you want blackflies,

They were a LITERAL fog on the water and on land,

We used oil of citronella, the best and thickest smudge fire

(different from the cooking fire)

You could make in camp,

And a kind of boonie hat with a total surround

Of lightweight netting.

I used a beekeeper's hat in this style,

Because it was half the price of an LL Beener.

That, plus an absolute high tolerance to

Pain, itching and swelling, did the trick.


scyth

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

I know its cliche, but Bear or Raccoon grease on the neck ,ears ,nose and around the eyes DOES work. the sticky lard fouls their sense of touch.

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

Question?


Having spent all my life in the south, how do black flys compare to chiggers?

chigger bite can last for long time sometime up to and more than a month..with me anyway.

Thanks

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

I don't have to worry about black flies because I eat Citronella and sweat pure DEET.

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

To answer your question, I have had the pleasure of both chiggers and black flies (not at the same time mind you), and black flies by FAR are the most annoying flying creatures I have ever dealt with.

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

I use essential oils. The flies hate it. However I haven't used it against black flies specifically. Mosquitos etc don't like it much. Nothing in California that I've found will bite me if I put on enough.

That being said, I cannot believe nobody has posted this yet.

"The Black Fly Song" is a song by Wade Hemsworth, written in 1949, about working in the wilds of Northern Ontario. It is an enduring classic of Canadian folk music, covered by a variety of other artists.

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

The blackfly literally takes a bite out of your skin. It then spits an anti-coagulate to keep the blood running and laps it up. Because of this, it likes where there is pressure on the skin so that the blood has more pressure at the surface. I've had the little b@#%ards crawl under my pant leg all the way up to where the elastic on my underwear pressed against the skin. Sock lines, tight sleeve cuffs, and hat bands are also favorites. The itching comes from an alergic reaction to the anti-coagulate.

If you work in hot weather, a bugoff jacket is best. Other than that, cover up and use Deet.
:coolbeer:

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

Deodorant? They hate strong unnatural smells I believe.

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

Actually, perfumes, deodorants, and scented soaps and shampoos just tell them where you are.
:coolbeer:

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

fill a bucket with pine sol or some other ammonia. hang a hamburger over it.

Bugs go to bloody hamburger, wiff ammonia, fall in bucket. Couple hours later camp site is lots better.

tested on yellowjackets. Should work fine on blood suckers.

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

And then there are deer flies:cry1:

Re: Got any tips for fighting black flies?
 

Personally I would stay away from DEET. Even if it was effective against black flies, it's not worth the toxins that get absorbed into your system. After spending many hours in the woods of Maine, I've concluded that the best approach is to cover your skin and use a headnet. Try to spend times in areas that are subject to a stiff breeze, because that keeps them at bay a little bit. Other than that, it's just a matter of grinning and bearing it!