Biting Flies

[skier]

When do the biting flies :eek: first start arriving in the spring? I recall them being very bad at Memorial Day last year and even causing problems for my kids into mid July. We'll be down next week and hope that the biting flies have not yet arrived.

Thanks

[fly]

Beware the FLY !!!

[fly]

http://www.pbrc.hawaii.edu/bemf/microangela/mhflyo.jpg

[fly]

http://www.stonecarver.com/jpeg/fly.jpg

[fly]

http://www.graysofkilsyth.com/Salmon%20Fly%20-%20Jock%20Scott.jpg

[fly]

http://www.klattu.com.ar/images/fly.jpg

[fly]

http://www.microscope-microscope.org/gallery/Kenn/More2/BB%20fly%20supermacro-2.JPG

[fly]

http://www.humancomp.org/misc/chinatrip/bibby%20sleeping%20on%20plane.jpg

[fly]

You never know when my friends and I might show up. :twisted:

[Smiling JOe]

Looks like the flies are back in full force on the Board.

The flies will be popping out around the beginning of June if all is on schedule.

Just remember if the Black (Dog) Flies are hurting you, drive over to a shady area around the Bay and wait for the Yellow (Deer) Flies to bite. You will be begging for the Black (Dog) Flies to take their place.

[kurt]

:laughing1

The black flies (dog flies) that bite on the beach usually come in warmer weather and mainly come on the beach when there is a prevailing wind from the North. They can be there in the morning and then gone later or the other way around.

They can be annoying and if really bad can drive you off the beach. Although the bite hurts, they do not have poison like deer flies, mosquitoes, etc. - so they leave no welt or cause itching.

[Smiling JOe]

...and, only the female Deer Fly, Dog Fly, and Mosquitos bite. The males just get killed for looking similar to the blood thirsty females. :idontno: :( :D They need your blood for there babies to carry on for many generations to come. Forget about killing the Deer Flies because they live for only a day in that form, so I've been told. The male Deer Fly eats nectar.

[Beach Girl]

...and, only the female Deer Fly, Dog Fly, and Mosquitos bite. The males just get killed for looking similar to the blood thirsty females. :idontno: :( :D They need your blood for there babies to carry on for many generations to come. Forget about killing the Deer Flies because they live for only a day, so I've been told.


Man...you know a lot about flies!!!! :) All I know, is every year when we are there in August, they are HORRIBLE!!!! OUCH!!!!

[RiverOtter]

:rofl: Good stuff y'all!

[seagrovelover]

Dont think we have ever experienced those on vacation yet!!! :idontno: now the tiny little fish that swarm you in the ocean....I could live with out those!!!! :D have had many go down my suit!!!! :oops:

[Smiling JOe]

Dont think we have ever experienced those on vacation yet!!! :idontno: now the tiny little fish that swarm you in the ocean....I could live with out those!!!! :D have had many go down my suit!!!! :oops:

see addition to Kurt's list of top10 complaints heard in SoWal -- "Damn Pinfish!"

[Ocean Lover]

Man...you know a lot about flies!!!! :) All I know, is every year when we are there in August, they are HORRIBLE!!!! OUCH!!!!


OkAY, YOU GUYS ARE SCARING ME. :shock:

[Smiling JOe]

Interesting that the biting insects are here for tourists season only. Hmm? However, they bite locals too.

[Smiling JOe]

This morning, I was buzzed by a yellow fly and saw another big one this afternoon. They're back.

[fly]

Interesting that the biting insects are here for tourists season only. Hmm? However, they bite locals too.

Locals in general are saltier, but tourists are meatier. Hmmmm . . .decisions, decisions. :twisted:

[fly]

This morning, I was chased by a yellow fly and saw another big one this afternoon. They're back.

All flies have been warned not to bother SJ.

[FoX]

http://www.123imprint.com/img_s/8816259s.jpg

[Smiling JOe]

All flies have been warned not to bother SJ.
Thanks Fly. I can use all the help I can get.

[Paula]

I don't remember if it's in August or in the fall, but I like to go to the beach early in the mornings to sit in a beach chair and read a good book, and I do remember deciding to wear long pants or bringing a towel to wrap my legs in to keep little biting insects off them. The technique works great and I didn't have a problem as long as I kept my legs under wraps. Haven't been chased or bitten by a yellow fly yet, but I'm still pretty new to the area.

[Smiling JOe]

Locals in general are saltier, but tourists are meatier. Hmmmm . . .decisions, decisions. :twisted:
By suggesting that tourists are "meatier," I hope that you are not suggesting that I am "fat" (less meaty). Don't make me bust out the fly glue.

[fly]

By suggesting that tourists are "meatier," I hope that you are not suggesting that I am "fat" (less meaty). Don't make me bust out the fly glue.

You are now off the no fly zone. :twisted:

[Smiling JOe]

You are now off the no fly zone. :twisted:
Now, I am thinking about the "D" word.

[22tango]

We've been here one week and have three more weeks to enjoy the beach....at least I hope we can. The flies are biting us horribly and the several repellents we've tried don't seem to help. We've had to leave the beach early in the morning, early afternoon and late afternoon. Does anyone have any recommendations for good repellents or a better time of day to be on the beach?

We were here two years ago in late August and never experienced any biting flies or mosquitoes. Are they somehow related to the hurricane???

We're from Arizona, so I know we probably sound rather ignorant about these things, but any help will be greatly appreciated.:(

[kurt]

We've been here one week and have three more weeks to enjoy the beach....at least I hope we can. The flies are biting us horribly and the several repellents we've tried don't seem to help. We've had to leave the beach early in the morning, early afternoon and late afternoon. Does anyone have any recommendations for good repellents or a better time of day to be on the beach?

We were here two years ago in late August and never experienced any biting flies or mosquitoes. Are they somehow related to the hurricane???

We're from Arizona, so I know we probably sound rather ignorant about these things, but any help will be greatly appreciated.:(

Not hurricane related.

They will be on the beach until the wind turns around and comes from offshore.

The only repellent is Smiling Joe's homebrew.

You don't sound ignorant because your from Arizona. :lol:

[Smiling JOe]

We've been here one week and have three more weeks to enjoy the beach....at least I hope we can. The flies are biting us horribly and the several repellents we've tried don't seem to help. We've had to leave the beach early in the morning, early afternoon and late afternoon. Does anyone have any recommendations for good repellents or a better time of day to be on the beach?

We were here two years ago in late August and never experienced any biting flies or mosquitoes. Are they somehow related to the hurricane???

We're from Arizona, so I know we probably sound rather ignorant about these things, but any help will be greatly appreciated.:(

The Dog Flies come in when the winds are out of the NW. They are not related to the Hurricanes. When the low pressure out of the NW moves out of here, the Flies will be pushed north. Until then, enjoy the 70 degree temperatures at night and the dryer air. I braved the Flies for a couple of hours last night, and they finally packed up shop and moved on when darkness fell on the sky. The flies are attracted to dark colors, so I am told, so wear white clothing when possible. They also like salty skin. Going into the Gulf is more likely to get you covered when you come out of the water. You could always find a sacrificial object to dip into the Gulf's salty water, and set it up near you, but not too close (10-15' away). The object can be anything darker in color with a little size - plastic boat, boogie board, beach chair, etc. If you are going to use a product with deet, you will have to use one with a deet percentage of 30%+ to be effective in the least bit. Keep it close to you and expect to reapply often.

[OhioBeachBum]

The Dog Flies come in when the winds are out of the NW. They are not related to the Hurricanes. When the low pressure out of the NW moves out of here, the Flies will be pushed north.
Great, send your danged flies my way. :shock: Well, I'll just tell the little buggers to pack up and go south again (don't worry, I'll give them tiny little maps that lead to New Mexico). :biggrin:

[Tootsie]

a little biting fly secret that I shall share with sowal friends only:

invite smiling joe to accompany you and yours to the beach, put a black t-shirt on him, and a little red speedo, and sit back and enjoy while the flies swarm upon him. they absolutely LOVE that guy :wub: - he's so sweet and all... no kidding! :razz:

[Tootsie]

oh, I forgot one thing: give him plenty of beer and/or red wine.

[Camp Creek Kid]

a little biting fly secret that I shall share with sowal friends only:

invite smiling joe to accompany you and yours to the beach, put a black t-shirt on him, and a little red speedo, and sit back and enjoy while the flies swarm upon him. they absolutely LOVE that guy :wub: - he's so sweet and all... no kidding! :razz:

Not a pleasant mental image :eek: .

[22tango]

Hey Smiling Joe and Kurt----thanks so much for the info. Guess we'll just enjoy the weather and wait (hope)for the winds to change. Love the idea of a sacrificial object!!!!

[Smiling JOe]

The only repellent is Smiling Joe's homebrew.

Yes, I do have a natural home brew insect repellant, but it has not been tested in great numbers. It proved to be fairly effective when fighting the Deer Flies. I am still playing with the recipe. I may have to juice it up a bit to repel the Dog Flies. :D

[wetwilly]

Seems that the cashier at the Tom Thumb has made our Laborday vacation a success!!! She suggested vinegar (remember "you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar"). We bought a bottle (white vinegar $1.39 for a bottle) and put it on this morning and the flies still landed on us but jumped off pretty quickly without biting us. :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

We have not tried it in the late afternoon or evening but we will be this evening. Kurt or SJ does this work or were we just lucky this morning??

We hope it still works later today.

[Miss Kitty]

Seems that the cashier at the Tom Thumb has made our Laborday vacation a success!!! She suggested vinegar (remember "you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar"). We bought a bottle (white vinegar $1.39 for a bottle) and put it on this morning and the flies still landed on us but jumped off pretty quickly without biting us. :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

We have not tried it in the late afternoon or evening but we will be this evening. Kurt or SJ does this work or were we just lucky this morning??

We hope it still works later today.

The smell might even keep the WHITE SHIRTS away as well! Two birds w/one stone!!

[wetwilly]

The smell might even keep the WHITE SHIRTS away as well! Two birds w/one stone!!

It does not seem like we need to bathe in the vinegar. Just put a lite spray on the legs and arms and it worked. It is better than sitting in the house all day/night? :cool:

[stormweary]

We have found that the yellow flies start on or around Memorial Day and the dog flies start on or around Labor Day. Yellow flies can leave a large swollen area around the bite that lasts for days. We were on the beach Aug.24th and the dog flies were terrible. They seemed to be attracted to anything white, so not sure about being attracted to dark objects...were all over our white bucket, white umbrella pole and husband's white shirt. You just couldn't get out of the water and stay on the beach! Tried Cactus Juice and Cutter but nothing kept them off. Wrapped up in towels and went home.

Here is a recipe from the Walton Sun, May 2004 - I've made up a batch and keep it in a spray bottle in our refrigerator. Seems to work best if you apply right after being bitten. Rub in briskly. You can also try window clearner with ammonia, in a pinch.

Yellow Fly Bite and Sting (Jellyfish) Relief
1 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup ammonia
1/3 twp papain (meat tenderizer)
1 crushed asprin
Mix thoroughly and store in refrigerator. Be sure to label container.
When needed, shake well and apply with a cotton swab -
or heck, just spray it on fast!

Yellow flies seem to like shady, humid areas, tend to avoid large open sunny areas, hence, don't usually see them on the beach. For dog flies, enjoy the beach when there is a Gulf breeze.

[Miss Kitty]

It does not seem like we need to bathe in the vinegar. Just put a lite spray on the legs and arms and it worked. It is better than sitting in the house all day/night? :cool:

Looks like you stumbled on a great fix!! Now, just put it in a pretty bottle w/ a catchy name and sell it on 30-A! Instant cash for some good eating out...or GAS home! How's the beach today?

[wetwilly]

Looks like you stumbled on a great fix!! Now, just put it in a pretty bottle w/ a catchy name and sell it on 30-A! Instant cash for some good eating out...or GAS home! How's the beach today?

The ones we have encountered are the dog flies (I think). They do seem to like dark colors, salt (get out of the water and they will swarm you), and the over the counter bug repellants do not work on them according to everyone we spoke to. It also seems that based on your chemical make up (smell and taste) or the shampoo, anti persperant, perfume (wife) etc that they like some people better than others. The joke in my family is that since I am a "smelly, oily" Italian (1/2 Italian) that they do not like me as much as my wife and kids. Maybe that is why the vinegar works for me (Italian dressing).

We may bottle it and sell it if it works but....not sure. We'll let you know.

[Smiling JOe]

Seems that the cashier at the Tom Thumb has made our Laborday vacation a success!!! She suggested vinegar (remember "you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar"). We bought a bottle (white vinegar $1.39 for a bottle) and put it on this morning and the flies still landed on us but jumped off pretty quickly without biting us. :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

We have not tried it in the late afternoon or evening but we will be this evening. Kurt or SJ does this work or were we just lucky this morning??

We hope it still works later today.

I have not tried it on the Dog Flies, but vinegar is a natural insecticide, so it may work. I keep a bottle or two of VAW (Vinegar And Water) around the house for cleaning purposes. Maybe I should take one to the beach when I go. Vinegar also helps take the sting out of Jellyfish stings. It is a wonderful product.

[Smiling JOe]

Here is a recipe from the Walton Sun, May 2004 - I've made up a batch and keep it in a spray bottle in our refrigerator. Seems to work best if you apply right after being bitten. Rub in briskly. You can also try window clearner with ammonia, in a pinch.

Yellow Fly Bite and Sting (Jellyfish) Relief
1 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup ammonia
1/3 twp papain (meat tenderizer)
1 crushed asprin
Mix thoroughly and store in refrigerator. Be sure to label container.
When needed, shake well and apply with a cotton swab -
or heck, just spray it on fast!

Yellow flies seem to like shady, humid areas, tend to avoid large open sunny areas, hence, don't usually see them on the beach. For dog flies, enjoy the beach when there is a Gulf breeze.

Can you actually breathe with the fumes from the ammonia?

[pattiw]

SJ - Can you mix me up a vat of your homebrew for next week? I have scars from yellow fly bites from earlier this summer. Apparently all biting insects find me to be a tasty treat.

[Miss Kitty]

Can you actually breathe with the fumes from the ammonia?

Good ?...my guess is it makes you pass out and you don't feel them biting you!

[Smiling JOe]

SJ - Can you mix me up a vat of your homebrew for next week? I have scars from yellow fly bites from earlier this summer. Apparently all biting insects find me to be a tasty treat.

My current recipe, while working pretty good for the Deer Flies(yellow), is not working against the Dog Flies, but I do have a fly swatter. I am going to play with vinegar water solution to see if I can get it to repel. I really doubt it will though since heavy dosages of deet applied directly on the Flies, does not seem to bug them. I think one reason that they get me is that I don't take a shower just prior to going to the beach, so I have salt dried on my skin. Tasty.

[wetwilly]

Well we did some more extensive testing with the white vinegar mid/late this afternoon and it seemed to work pretty well. I applied it full strength liberally to my legs, arms, and neck and it kept them from biting me even though they would land on me. Unfortunately and apparently, the vinegar loses its strength for some reason (evaporation??) and frequent reapplication was required to keep them from biting. :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

My kids and wife put the vinegar on but then went into the water (salt) and then when they got out the flies feasted. So, not foolproof it looks like it works better then anything else we have heard and certainly better then nothing. :idontno: :idontno:

Eitherway, we all had a good time on the beach today!!!! :cool: :cool: :cool:

[Smiling JOe]

Well we did some more extensive testing with the white vinegar mid/late this afternoon and it seemed to work pretty well. I applied it full strength liberally to my legs, arms, and neck and it kept them from biting me even though they would land on me. Unfortunately and apparently, the vinegar loses its strength for some reason (evaporation??) and frequent reapplication was required to keep them from biting.

absorption

[Miss Kitty]

Well we did some more extensive testing with the white vinegar mid/late this afternoon and it seemed to work pretty well. I applied it full strength liberally to my legs, arms, and neck and it kept them from biting me even though they would land on me. Unfortunately and apparently, the vinegar loses its strength for some reason (evaporation??) and frequent reapplication was required to keep them from biting. :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_1:

My kids and wife put the vinegar on but then went into the water (salt) and then when they got out the flies feasted. So, not foolproof it looks like it works better then anything else we have heard and certainly better then nothing. :idontno: :idontno:

Eitherway, we all had a good time on the beach today!!!! :cool: :cool: :cool:


How about a battery powered VINEGAR MISTER? I'm smelling some patents here!!!

[Smiling JOe]

How about a battery powered VINEGAR MISTER? I'm smelling some patents here!!!

I hope you have a plan to get rid of the vinegar smell and still have the product work effectively before you spend too much money.

[Miss Kitty]

I hope you have a plan to get rid of the vinegar smell and still have the product work effectively before you spend too much money.

HA! At least it wouldn't clog up!!! Now about that smell.....

[Philip_Atlanta]

I was on the beach yesterday and didn't encounter any problems. However; Saturday, they drove us away from the beach. A waiter at Bud & Alley's suggested "Cactus Juice", didn't try it but if you are desperate - perhaps it will help..

[Smiling JOe]

I was on the beach yesterday and didn't encounter any problems. However; Saturday, they drove us away from the beach. A waiter at Bud & Alley's suggested "Cactus Juice", didn't try it but if you are desperate - perhaps it will help..

I've tried it without any positive results.

[ktschris]

I really think the key here is .....



the red speedo!!! :clap_1:

[Beach Runner]

Thanks to the biting flies, this was the weirdest beach trip ever! The new beach walkover that we built after Dennis in July was damaged by Katrina, so we couldn't walk to the beach. We couldn't sunbathe because the flies attacked us. Even in the pool, we had to submerge ourselves up to our necks to avoid getting attacked by the flies, and then we'd have to watch each other and give a "dunk warning" whenever the flies were about to attack our faces. Those flies really hurt when they bite - I must have been bitten 100 times. We've never experienced the flies in our 6 consecutive years of Labor Days at SoWal.

Yet in comparison to what the Katrina victims have experienced, I feel profoundly embarrassed for complaining.

Will they still be around in three weeks?

[WhiskeyRiver]

Not hurricane related.

They will be on the beach until the wind turns around and comes from offshore.

The only repellent is Smiling Joe's homebrew.

You don't sound ignorant because your from Arizona. :lol:


could I possibly get your home brew recipe? thanks from an "ignorant" West Tennessean :floor:

[wetwilly]

We just got back to Atlanta from SoWal and I must say that the weekend was great even though the flies were out. We used our secret recipe spray to keep them away---white vinegar. Yes, plain old white vinegar. We used some Heinz we had left over from our last trip and/or used to clean the hardwood floors but ran out and the Publix brand white vinegar worked even better.

Frequent reapplication and we were good to go. It really worked. We saw alot of people using expensive bug spray (OFF, Cutters etc) and they were constantly slapping, swatting and jumping around while being bit. Not our crew and the smell was not too bad, really. :cool: :cool: :cool:

[ksherman]

Just returned from Seagrove. The beaches still look a bit sad (just as they did earlier this year), but in many places along the beaches there is more sand. My only concern -- and it's a BIG one -- is that the FLIES were really bad! And if you don't know about the flies, oh my, oh my, oh my. My recommendation: take lots of bug spray -- the kind with 98%DEET. (The flies were so bad it was worth risking the stunted development of my children to keep them away!) Also, don't wait till you get down there to buy bug spray -- get it now and stock up! We had to drive 45 mintues into PC Beach to find a place that wasn't out. (Publix had to ship their supplies out to the gulf coast region hit by the hurricane.) Some locals told us over and over that the flies are only around for a day or so, but other locals told us it lasts a few weeks.

So for those of you who LOVE to stay on the beach all day, you're going to have to be flexible. Each day we'd head out to the beach (3 families with 7 kids) and pray that we caught the "good" hours. We probably only spent 2 hours at the most on the beach each day. And, the flies were so bad that they even visited our pool and got us while walking along sidewalks in Seaside! WOW -- it was CRAZY! (We even took a photograph of a fly on my friend's leg -- they made that much of an impact on our trip!)

Despite the flies, we had a great time and enjoyed the area just like alwasy!@

[WhiskeyRiver]

Wetwilly -- thanks for home brew. we are planning on leaving sunday a.m. i will definitely run to the store and get some white vinegar and a spray bottle. i had already packed the "off" and "cutters", but under your recommendation, will not even use that. I HATE THOSE FLIES! We have had them alot on our Sept trips to SoWal, but not as bad as people on the website seem to be reporting. Please tell me the "love bugs" aren't there, too?!?!? :eek:

[WhiskeyRiver]

We just got back to Atlanta from SoWal and I must say that the weekend was great even though the flies were out. We used our secret recipe spray to keep them away---white vinegar. Yes, plain old white vinegar. We used some Heinz we had left over from our last trip and/or used to clean the hardwood floors but ran out and the Publix brand white vinegar worked even better.

Frequent reapplication and we were good to go. It really worked. We saw alot of people using expensive bug spray (OFF, Cutters etc) and they were constantly slapping, swatting and jumping around while being bit. Not our crew and the smell was not too bad, really. :cool: :cool: :cool:

How is the gas situation from Atlanta to SoWal? We will be coming from Memphis on Sunday. We have good reports from Mempho to B'ham, but sketchy from B'ham to 30-a. Thanks :bow:

[wetwilly]

See other threads on the board re gas. We went down Atlanta to SoWal last Friday and back on Monday for the Laborday weekend and gas was no problem on the way down but was spotty on the way back but it was to be found at 3.09-3.19/gal. The cheapest gas we found was in Florida :clap_1: at 2.89/gal and we think Florida is keeping it down so as not to deter the tourists.

On Friday, we left Atlanta on a full tank and got gas in Montgomery on the way down and then refilled to full on 30-A at the Seagrove Tom Thumb. Then Saturday thru Monday that Tom Thumb was out of gas and we then filled up at the Tom Thumb on at 98 and 331 on Monday when we were headed north and saw alot of stations out of gas until we hit Montgomery to fill up.

So, the availability is spotty and I think it is because the supply chain and usage is not settled since Katrina. Others may have a more up to date perspective. We just made sure we kept the suburban full just in case we could not find gas somewhere.

Have a great trip and have a blast in SoWal. We did. :clap_1: :clap_1: :clap_

[pk305]

Just returned to Nashville tonight from Seagrove.
No gas challenges at all. Cheapest was on Hwy331 @ 2.59.
Most expensive we saw was $2.99. THAT IS UNTIL we hit Nashville and our friendly neighborhood corner station was over $3....
Water was beautiful today!!

[Smiling JOe]

Gas Availability (http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?p=22540#post22540) thread :D

[kathydwells]

Maybe these guys could help with the biting flies.:biggrin:


It seems there were two frogs sitting on a lily pad, when all of a sudden, a fly came along. One frog put out his tongue, ate the fly, and started laughing hysterically. Soon the other frog joined in the laughter.


Later in the day, the other frog ate a fly and the two frogs burst out in laughter. As time went on, the frogs enjoyed the flies so much that the sight of a fly would cause them to double up with pleasure (if it's possible for frogs to double up!). But of course, the most pleasure came when the fly was actually eaten.

A third frog hopped up to the first two and asked what was so funny. The first frog answered "Time." "Huh?" asked the third frog. The second frog explained: "Time's fun when you're having flies."

[steele mama]

Dont think we have ever experienced those on vacation yet!!! :idontno: now the tiny little fish that swarm you in the ocean....I could live with out those!!!! :D have had many go down my suit!!!! :oops:

Yea, if we could just get rid of the fish in the Gulf. :roll:

[Miss Kitty]

Yea, if we could just get rid of the fish in the Gulf. :roll:


I'm glad I noticed your rolling of the eyes smilie! For a minute there I thought you had gone to the dark side!!!!

[steele mama]

I'm glad I noticed your rolling of the eyes smilie! For a minute there I thought you had gone to the dark side!!!!

That's my dry wit. Thanks for paying attention.

[Miss Kitty]

That's my dry wit. Thanks for paying attention.

I LOVE your wit..wet or dry!!!

[wetwilly]

I LOVE your wit..wet or dry!!!

TMI :cool:

[Miss Kitty]

TMI :cool:

MIG....mind in gutter!!!! Hee Hee!

[mariemcvay]

Has anyone tried Skin-So-Soft as a repellent? It works great for other insects. I wonder if it will work for these pesky flies? Just in case I'm bringing my bottle of Heinz vinegar and a spray bottle. I would mix up the home brew found on this post but I am afriad of the reaction my grandbabies skin will have to the ammonia. See you wonderful folks tomorrow!

[Smiling JOe]

Has anyone tried Skin-So-Soft as a repellent? It works great for other insects. I wonder if it will work for these pesky flies? Just in case I'm bringing my bottle of Heinz vinegar and a spray bottle. I would mix up the home brew found on this post but I am afriad of the reaction my grandbabies skin will have to the ammonia. See you wonderful folks tomorrow!

I know a couple of peeps that say the Skin So Soft helps protect against the Dog Flies. It is worth a try, but, personally, I think vinegar smells better.

[wintersbk]

I know a couple of peeps that say the Skin So Soft helps protect against the Dog Flies. It is worth a try, but, personally, I think vinegar smells better.

From experience, vinegar works very good. So does the good ole leg slap.

http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/4/8/6/Florida054.jpg

[Miss Kitty]

From experience, vinegar works very good. So does the good ole leg slap.

http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/4/8/6/Florida054.jpg

Good shot, wintersbk!!! Man, if that vinegar solution worked on cellulite, (you can pretend it does!!!) what a best seller that would be!

[katie blue]

So whats the latest 411 on the flies as of today? Any relief?

[kurt]

So whats the latest 411 on the flies as of today? Any relief?

The wind has been onshore the last 2 days so they haven't been on the beach. No wind down there today so I will find out soon if they are back. ;-)

[wintersbk]

None out today in Seagrove.

Just dolphins :biggrin: & a little jelly! :shock:

http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/4/8/6/Florida153.jpg

http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/4/8/6/Florida133.jpg

[Smiling JOe]

None out today in Seagrove.

Just dolphins :biggrin: & a little jelly! :shock:



http://sowal.com/bb/gallery/files/4/8/6/Florida133.jpg
You gonna' eat 'em?

[wintersbk]

You gonna' eat 'em?

Ran out of peanut butter & bread!

Eat 'em, really? Can you?

Is it like the BLOWFISH? Tastes really good but it numbs your mouth & could kill you!

[aquaticbiology]

no eat jellyfish! well, to be accurate you could eat the top organism part and just stay away from the stingy bits, but it would probably taste like salt water

wait - water, gelatin, a little food coloring...

great party ice idea - quick search says there aren't any to be found - a jellyfish mold - put some gummy worm pieces in the bottom for the chromoblasts (they would shed color too), fill with water, add some booze if necessary and poof - a frozen jellyfish floating in your punch bowl!

oooh! make little molds and add gelatin and more booze - jellyfish shooters!

YEE-HAW!

I'm off to try to get a copyright/trademark on this little honey! Thanks! Maybe we'll all be on the New Martha Stewart!

[Smiling JOe]

Ran out of peanut butter & bread!

Eat 'em, really? Can you?

Is it like the BLOWFISH? Tastes really good but it numbs your mouth & could kill you!

I have not heard of people eating them, but since you captured the Jelli, I thought you may be taking it home for dinner. Why else would someone try to catch one? :idontno:

[Miss Kitty]

I have not heard of people eating them, but since you captured the Jelli, I thought you may be taking it home for dinner. Why else would someone try to catch one? :idontno:


Maybe to get it out of the water? I've had many hours of enjoyment watching kids catch them with their nets and then scream with fear when they dump them in a bucket of water!

[katie blue]

My brother and i used to build above ground "swimming pools" out of sand, fill them with jellyfish, then stick a GI Joe or Barbie face down in it, with the legs sticking out. It would crack us up, year after year, we never seemed to tire of it. We'd watch from the sidelines as beach walkers came up on it and proceeded to react in difffernt ways. :rolling:

[OhioBeachBum]

My brother and i used to build above ground "swimming pools" out of sand, fill them with jellyfish, then stick a GI Joe or Barbie face down in it, with the legs sticking out. It would crack us up, year after year, we never seemed to tire of it. We'd watch from the sidelines as beach walkers came up on it and proceeded to react in difffernt ways. :rolling:

Especially the one's who stepped in/on the jellies... :shock:

[wintersbk]

I have not heard of people eating them, but since you captured the Jelli, I thought you may be taking it home for dinner. Why else would someone try to catch one? :idontno:

The little stinger was too close to the kids playing on the sandbar.

[Smiling JOe]

My brother and i used to build above ground "swimming pools" out of sand, fill them with jellyfish, then stick a GI Joe or Barbie face down in it, with the legs sticking out. It would crack us up, year after year, we never seemed to tire of it. We'd watch from the sidelines as beach walkers came up on it and proceeded to react in difffernt ways. :rolling:

:lolabove::floor:

[Beach Runner]

Seriously, we haven't experienced biting flies in the past few years. Think they'll be there next weekend? No home games for UF or GT.

[aquaticbiology]

no eat jellyfish! well, to be accurate you could eat the top organism part and just stay away from the stingy bits, but it would probably taste like salt water

wait - water, gelatin, a little food coloring...

great party ice idea - quick search says there aren't any to be found - a jellyfish mold - put some gummy worm pieces in the bottom for the chromoblasts (they would shed color too), fill with water, add some booze if necessary and poof - a frozen jellyfish floating in your punch bowl!

oooh! make little molds and add gelatin and more booze - jellyfish shooters!

YEE-HAW!

I'm off to try to get a copyright/trademark on this little honey! Thanks! Maybe we'll all be on the New Martha Stewart!

as usual we're way too late on the idea - there is a type of dried jellyfish delicacy in japanese cooking and a mold to go with it made about 1800 and patented - mold structure was very easy - just make a wax or ice dummy and cover with hobby shop mold making compound - let it dry, rinse, repeat, add jello and booze and hey, jellyfish shooters!

[redfisher]

on the subject of flies, I understand that winds out of the north bring the flies to the beach....my question is - does the time of year matter?...we have typically spent out weeks here in early april, late oct and the holidays and have never experienced the flies before now...certainly northerly winds are common enough that we would have been bitten before now...

[kurt]

on the subject of flies, I understand that winds out of the north bring the flies to the beach....my question is - does the time of year matter?...we have typically spent out weeks here in early april, late oct and the holidays and have never experienced the flies before now...certainly northerly winds are common enough that we would have been bitten before now...

Only in the hot months usually.

[skippertoo]

What is the latest on the flies ???

[Smiling JOe]

What is the latest on the flies ???

I haven't been on the beach for a week or so now, so I don't know. However, I did see some male Deer flies a couple of days ago. Not to worry though, they eat plant nectar, not people, like the females.

[pk305]

The bug situation has not been a problem. Just the red tide.
The flies have been few and non-biting. The love bugs have been around but seem to be fewer. I tried the vinegar spray and freaked my family out with the smell....after that though the bugs weren't bothering me at all!
Everywhere we go though folks are coughing from the red tide and someone at Seagrove Market just told DH that this is the worst case they can ever recall.....but again, the sun is shining brightly today and it is a beautiful day on 30-A!!

[skippertoo]

Thanks PK. I will be trying out that vinegar this trip. I have always used the skin so soft but I think I would prefer the vinegar smell. We will be coming down this weekend for a week so hopefully the red tide will be light or gone. Maybe vinegar throut spray will work :D

[Miss Kitty]

The bug situation has not been a problem. Just the red tide.
The flies have been few and non-biting. The love bugs have been around but seem to be fewer. I tried the vinegar spray and freaked my family out with the smell....after that though the bugs weren't bothering me at all!
Everywhere we go though folks are coughing from the red tide and someone at Seagrove Market just told DH that this is the worst case they can ever recall.....but again, the sun is shining brightly today and it is a beautiful day on 30-A!!

Dag nab it! pk...is it worse or just as bad as it has been. I have never experienced red tide in 18 years! Wish those flies would go eat it all and pass out! You made me laugh with the vision of spraying vinegar on your family...mix with oil and you'd have a good dressing!

[pk305]

Too funny! Actually when I sprayed the vinegar, the fam said we didn't even need to go in for lunch.....we could just eat salad at the pool!! No kidding about this red tide stuff...it is like a bad movie!! I've never experienced this in many years down here. Sueshore, I just know that this has been BAD for a week now. Local TV tonight showed lots of dead fish in one of the marinas around the fishing boats....gross....and also, the experts they interviewed had absolutely no idea when it would go away! It's made it for an interesting week...have tried so hard for so long to get our little 3 year old grandson to LOVE the beach and just now he FINALLY does & is begging everyday to go TO THE BEACH!!! We went yesterday but just can't risk it with him again because of all the coughing!! BUMMER!! We are staying 5 houses (tiers) from the gulf and tried sitting on top deck tonight with him and we were all coughing like crazy after about 20 minutes....sneezing too!!! Just be prepared to enjoy other things if Red Tide is still around!

[Miss Kitty]

Oh no....I do not like that little boy having to stay away from the beach. I am amazed at this red tide! Mother Nature is having a bad case of PMS! We had 107 degree heat index today and a huge storm just passed through...hopefully the cool weather will arrive. Maybe this front will make it your way.

[Rita]

...... Mother Nature is having a bad case of PMS! We had 107 degree heat index today and a huge storm just passed through...hopefully the cool weather will arrive. Maybe this front will make it your way.


We're suppose to be 20º cooler tomorrow! Finally. That gets us to 80º. Storm just now coming our way. Our dog is shaking and starting to hyperventilate. Hope we get rain.

[kathydwells]

Storm just now coming our way. Our dog is shaking and starting to hyperventilate. Hope we get rain.

:rofl: My two do the same thing!!! They can hear a storm from a mile away and start having panic attacks!! Crazy.

[ksherman]

The last few times I've been down to Seagrove we've experienced the biting flies (July 2005 and September 2005). Never before had we seen them in Seagrove! (We've visited with our 4 kids every year for more than 7 years.) Now I'm neurotic about the flies and have nightmares about them. We're headed to Seagrove next week (April 2) and just wanted to make sure there are no flies. It's way too early right?

[Smiling JOe]

The last few times I've been down to Seagrove we've experienced the biting flies (July 2005 and September 2005). Never before had we seen them in Seagrove! (We've visited with our 4 kids every year for more than 7 years.) Now I'm neurotic about the flies and have nightmares about them. We're headed to Seagrove next week (April 2) and just wanted to make sure there are no flies. It's way too early right?Not necessarily. If the temp is warm and the wind is out of the north, be prepared. I have my bug juice ready to go.

[aquaticbiology]

oddly enough, even with all the cows around, there are no biting flies up here

[Lady D]

Do not like those dog flies. Couldn't even take a walk down the beach without them biting my legs last year. Had bug repellent on that was supposed to deter them but to no avail. Supposed to be down there the week before Memorial Day and do not want to have to deal with them. Would rather deal with the dragonflies and so called lovebugs of September than that. Not a Gator fan except for during the NCAA tournament since my team was knocked out second round. Yea, Gators! Glad they knocked off UCLA.

[sarawind]

Don't know how to repel the nasty biting flies but -don't laugh - Preperation H
takes the sting out better than anything. Get the clear gel. Okay, go ahead and laugh.

[redfisher]

I remember when this thread started last year...We got eaten up the first day or two..then ordered the avon skinsosoft w/sunblock and a small tent for the newborn...both from amazon.com...we spent almost an entire day trying to find an avon person and going to stores for the tent...we bought some sort of rosemary spray from gulf place drug-didn't work...tried white vinegar-didn't work....ordered both and fedexed-done, the flies land but don't bite...however, it will wear off in an hour or two and will wash off in the ocean...if interested, links below...Red


http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00097DZ8S/qid=1144578785/sr=8-2/ref=pd_bbs_2/103-4533374-9723836?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=3760901

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00000IUXC/sr=8-2/qid=1144578852/ref=sr_1_2/103-4533374-9723836?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance

[Paula]

I read in a magazine that some bugs don't like the smell of basil. So, if all else fails, you could make a basil spray yourself perhaps. SJ, is that one of your secret ingredients that you've experimented with in your home-made bug spray?

In the meantime, I'll get that skin-so-soft bug repellant.

[Cork On the Ocean]

I read in a magazine that some bugs don't like the smell of basil. So, if all else fails, you could make a basil spray yourself perhaps. SJ, is that one of your secret ingredients that you've experimented with in your home-made bug spray?

In the meantime, I'll get that skin-so-soft bug repellant.

Skin-so-soft is my repellent of choice so far. Hmm, maybe this is where all those years of pharmacy was leading. I should get working on this :rofl:. How bout it audie, are you guys up for this one?

[audie]

Skin-so-soft is my repellent of choice so far. Hmm, maybe this is where all those years of pharmacy was leading. I should get working on this :rofl:. How bout it audie, are you guys up for this one?

ummmm no, sorry, i am off the clock until 7 pm monday night ! pharmacy thoughts are strictly forbidden until then !

[Cork On the Ocean]

ummmm no, sorry, i am off the clock until 7 pm monday night ! pharmacy thoughts are strictly forbidden until then !

I can understand that and thinking back, when I first got out of school I made an acne cure for my daughter with phenol that nearly burned her face off :eek: . Maybe I better stick to real estate :floor:

[Paula]

This is what I read on www.avon.com

SKIN SO SOFT BUG GUARD PLUS IR3535® EXPEDITION™ Insect Repellent Aerosol


SAVE 58%!

price: was $12.00 now $4.99

Get into the outdoors in a virtual bug-proof suit that repels mosquitoes and deer ticks for 8 hours. New aerosol applicator can be used at any angle—even upside down—so you can be fully covered. Contains vitamin E. Unscented. DEET-free. Contains no SPF. 4 oz. net wt.

Bug Guard Plus' DEET-free formula is effective against mosquitoes and deer ticks, which may transmit West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease, plus black flies, sand flies, gnats, no-seeums and biting midges.


Note: there are about 6 different kinds, some with sun screen, some water proof, I'm experimenting and buying one of 4 different kinds. That and a basil tiara should keep those black flies and sand fleas away (we don't seem to have problems with mosquitos where we are).

[audie]

This is what I read on www.avon.com (http://www.avon.com/)

SKIN SO SOFT BUG GUARD PLUS IR3535® EXPEDITION™ Insect Repellent Aerosol


SAVE 58%!

price: was $12.00 now $4.99

Get into the outdoors in a virtual bug-proof suit that repels mosquitoes and deer ticks for 8 hours. New aerosol applicator can be used at any angle—even upside down—so you can be fully covered. Contains vitamin E. Unscented. DEET-free. Contains no SPF. 4 oz. net wt.

Bug Guard Plus' DEET-free formula is effective against mosquitoes and deer ticks, which may transmit West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease, plus black flies, sand flies, gnats, no-seeums and biting midges.


Note: there are about 6 different kinds, some with sun screen, some water proof, I'm experimenting and buying one of 4 different kinds. That and a basil tiara should keep those black flies and sand fleas away (we don't seem to have problems with mosquitos where we are).

thanks for the info paula - i am gonna order some from the girl who sells avon at work. we got ate up by these flies one year in september, hope they aren't out yet when we get there in may !

[Paula]

Audie: I'll do a litte testing of the different Avon products and maybe a little basel, too. Then I'll let this board know which works. I'm not there much during bug biting season though (are biting flies really out in May or are the SoWallers really just trying to keep the beaches to themselves during this month? I'm usually there in May and don't seem to remember them).

[audie]

Audie: I'll do a litte testing of the different Avon products and maybe a little basel, too. Then I'll let this board know which works. I'm not there much during bug biting season though (are biting flies really out in May or are the SoWallers really just trying to keep the beaches to themselves during this month? I'm usually there in May and don't seem to remember them).

thanks paula - i've never encountered them in previous years at the end of april first of may - just got ate up in september .

[Lady D]

When we came last year Labor Day week, we couldn't enjoy the beach for the flies. We tried the Coppertone Bug and Sun to no avail, of course because it had only 10% Deet. Then we bought a can of Sportsmen Repel with 29% Deet and that may have helped a little bit but not completely. Last year was the first time we had ever experienced biting flies out of all the times we have been. Of course, when your beach chairs are red and purple and you are sitting under a multi colored beach umbrella then obviously since they appear to be attracted to those, you cannot win. And here we have to worry about the mosquitoes and West Nile Virus! We cannot enjoy the outdoors because of them!

[Paula]

You're welcome. If the flies are a fall thing, I won't be able to test the avon stuff out until the end of summer. I do remember little biting sand bugs at the beach (so I bring lightweight long pants in the fall). I also remember how bad the biting flies were right after Ivan.