Enjoy! And Happy Hunting!
I’ve always been a sporting man and Yellow fly season is no different. Here's a way to make the season fun and keep the itch away. I make a contest with myself every year: bites vs kills. My best year was 33 kills and 5 bites. I've only lost two years to the yellow bastards in the last 13 years.
Let the body count begin.
Tips: listen and watch, they have a distinctive sounding buzz and they are larger than a house fly. They will circle you at least 3 times before they find a spot to feed. Wait for it, put out your arms and stay alert. They love elbows, knuckles, ankles and the back of your knees.
Basically I announce the word “tracking!” when I see a yellow fly circling me. That’s when the hunter becomes the hunted.
Their achilles heel is this: once they land they lose all reason and consciousness as they begin to place their proboscis in you. You then have a second or two before the bite occurs. STRIKE! with a killer blow and then strike again or crush them with your foot because they have an uncanny habit of re-animating. Next, smile your best Jack Nicholson smile and add the latest KILL to your list.
Now, the important part: If you are bitten do not, I repeat, do not scratch the bite no matter how much it itches. RESIST ALL TEMPTATION. WHY?? Because itching the scratch spreads the toxin into the tissue surrounding the bite (some people have severe reaction resulting in major swelling). RESIST ALL TEMPTATION TO SCRATCH for 20 minutes. I guarantee you in most cases the bite scratch will go away and you won't have a welt or an aggravated swelling bump for days.
Oh, one more thing. Cactus Juice works to keep them off of you. It really works. Buy some at Old Florida Outfitters in Watercolor.
Happy Hunting!
Teresa Lischka shared this tip too. Put vinegar on the bite. Totally goes away.
Replies
41Beach Crab
Are yellow flies an issue along the beach itself or in the beachside state parks and towns, or is it more of an inland wooded concern? We're visiting in a couple days and our toddler insists on only wearing blue and black which is the color that typically attracts yellow flies . . .
Beach Fanatic
Are yellow flies an issue along the beach itself or in the beachside state parks and towns, or is it more of an inland wooded concern? We're visiting in a couple days and our toddler insists on only wearing blue and black which is the color that typically attracts yellow flies . . .There are no yellow flies at the beach; they get worse the further you are from the beach. Where are you staying?
Beach Crab
There are no yellow flies at the beach; they get worse the further you are from the beach. Where are you staying?
Rosemary Beach. Called Grayton Beach State Park yesterday and they said the yellow flies are the worst they've ever seen and they're everywhere all day, including right on the beach. They're battling them inside the ranger station. But I guess the natural setting there may be a different data point than the beach towns themselves . . .
Beach Fanatic
Rosemary Beach. Called Grayton Beach State Park yesterday and they said the yellow flies are the worst they've ever seen and they're everywhere all day, including right on the beach. They're battling them inside the ranger station. But I guess the natural setting there may be a different data point than the beach towns themselves . . .I really don't think you will have a problem at the beach. We spent Monday at Grayton Beach and we didn't see a single one. I also walk my dog there in the afternoons and they're not around. But they are kind of bad at our house, which is about 1/3 mile from the beach. I have heard that they are terrible in Point Washington. Hopefully, Rosemary won't be too bad.
Beach Fanatic
With this run of dry weather, they seem to be a little less intense. Is this anyone else's experience?
SoWal Insider
I really don't think you will have a problem at the beach. We spent Monday at Grayton Beach and we didn't see a single one. I also walk my dog there in the afternoons and they're not around. But they are kind of bad at our house, which is about 1/3 mile from the beach. I have heard that they are terrible in Point Washington. Hopefully, Rosemary won't be too bad.They won't come out into the direct sunlight. They only thrive in the shade. The best advice is to stay at the beach and drink lots of beer.
Beach Fanatic
I wish, but that’s Point Washington. Thankfully, it appears that I have accumulated enough YF venom in my person that I no longer swell/itch beyond a few minutes. And I find joy in wooing them to my prominent veins only to crush their life out of them....☠️
Beach Fanatic
The flies have seemed to have subsided somewhat. Perhaps its the rain, or just their time this year has come and gone? Anyone else' experience?
Beach Fanatic
Yellow Flies subside after the initial fury then become intense again later in summer.
I'm stuck on "my toddler insists... "
I'm stuck on "my toddler insists... "
Admin
I got my first yellow fly bite yesterday. the yellow flies are back and buzzing around. I was surprised as it seems they are early this year. I fear with the lack of freezing weather and the wet spring we will have a bumper crop of yellow flies this year. I hope they can't transmit human virus.
Admin
Adding some links to other threads for more info about yellow flies in South Walton. And Yellow fly bite remedies ...
Yellow Fly Bites! I'm allergic....any remedies?
Yellow Fly Bite Remedies?
Yellow Fly Bites
Yellow Fly Bites! I'm allergic....any remedies?
Yellow Fly Bite Remedies?
Yellow Fly Bites
Beach Lover
I’m a magnet it seems, ugh. I’ve done quite a lot of research on the excellent Entomology pages of the Univ of FL. Interesting bits (not bites!) I learned...yellow flies are visual hunters. They hang out in the shade, under your porch or shrubbery, then when they see movement they swoop in for the kill! The females need the protein in your blood to procreate. This is why the black balls are effective as they see a big shape moving. They inject you with an anti-coagulant to speed their ability to suck up your blood and this causes your body to react with swelling & itching. The neutralizing chemical for the anti-coagulant is ammonia. Put on liberally, earlier is better...soak a paper towel & leave on for a few minutes. Reapply as needed. I figure we earn our ticket to Paradise when we make it through the season!!!
Skunky
Bagged my first of the season yesterday evening.
Moderator
I think the Ace Hardware at 393 and 98 has these. I know the one down near them outlet mall sells them.
SoWal Guide
I’m a magnet it seems, ugh. I’ve done quite a lot of research on the excellent Entomology pages of the Univ of FL. Interesting bits (not bites!) I learned...yellow flies are visual hunters. They hang out in the shade, under your porch or shrubbery, then when they see movement they swoop in for the kill! The females need the protein in your blood to procreate. This is why the black balls are effective as they see a big shape moving. They inject you with an anti-coagulant to speed their ability to suck up your blood and this causes your body to react with swelling & itching. The neutralizing chemical for the anti-coagulant is ammonia. Put on liberally, earlier is better...soak a paper towel & leave on for a few minutes. Reapply as needed. I figure we earn our ticket to Paradise when we make it through the season!!!
I bathe in vinegar and it totally works.
Admin
I bathe in vinegar and it totally works.And you taste like a pickled jalapeno
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