Black Fly and Mosquito control (Canada)

[PILOON]

I stay inside!

For most bugs a smudge pot is effective.
They simply do not like smoke!
An old gallon paint can, punch a bunch of holes with a nail, add nice dry grass or wood chips and then green grass on top or some other green vegetation.
You place that upwind and the smoke that drifts around you will be free of bugs.
The downside is you then have to shower B4 going to bed but you won't itch!*

Another thing that works for most bugs is to rub orange peels on your exposed skin surfaces.
Don't laugh, it works as does ingesting high dosed of vitamin C .*

My neighbor was the director of Union Carbide who own the patents for DEET.
Over a brandy he told me that the research showed that Vitamin C was the best deterrent for bugs however there was no way they could get a patent.
Then came Deet!

I have stood in mucky swampy muck with a chain saw in hand in late May and never had a bite!, but stunk of oranges.
Maybe the over oiled chain saw also helped LOL.(bugs do no like oily smoke)

If you absolutely have to work with the bugs, make a smudge pot!

*My most uncomfortable memories are black fly bites on my ankles!
Mornings would reveal blood on the bed sheets!

 

[Avondale]

We use a thing called Thermocell, works very well. Many formats, lamps, table stand, I carry one for spring hunting

https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/therma...3341352_2067&gclid=CMyEsv2IjNQCFYF-fgod1R4Ocw

 

[Egon]

I've found a walk on the Beach with a brisk onshore wind blowing is a perfect solution.

 

[TCJatko]

When working outside in blackfly season I find a head net to be essential. Who knows what the long term effects of DEET could be?

Mosquito Head Net (Green): Amazon.ca: Patio, Lawn & Garden

These work well but do trap a lot of heat.

 

[PILOON]

LOL
Duct tape at the ankles of long trousers
Duct tape on wrists of long sleeved shirt
Safety pins to make sure shirt stays tucked in
And the bug hat with netting.

Ain't he outdoors fun!

Otherwise known as enjoying nature!

3-4 days of +30 celcius and black flies are over, then comes deer flies.
Skitters on a windy day is no problem but deer flies the only thing is a quick slap or go inside.

One device that actually works fairly well is a sticky matt on top of your cap or hat as the deer flies always circulate over your head B4 diving for a bite.
They were sold at a outdoors supply house and we tried using strips of duct tape and 1n hour or so would collect a few dozen black flies.
At least that doz or so did not get to bite us, only their cousins LOL

 

[BrokeFarmerJohn]

LOL
Duct tape at the ankles of long trousers
Duct tape on wrists of long sleeved shirt
Safety pins to make sure shirt stays tucked in
And the bug hat with netting.

Ain't he outdoors fun!

Otherwise known as enjoying nature!

3-4 days of +30 celcius and black flies are over, then comes deer flies.
Skitters on a windy day is no problem but deer flies the only thing is a quick slap or go inside.

One device that actually works fairly well is a sticky matt on top of your cap or hat as the deer flies always circulate over your head B4 diving for a bite.
They were sold at a outdoors supply house and we tried using strips of duct tape and 1n hour or so would collect a few dozen black flies.
At least that doz or so did not get to bite us, only their cousins LOL

 

[Industrial Toys]

I'm wondering if double sided tape on your hat might get the Deer Flies. They annoy the crap out of me, and I have noticed they like to land on ones hat. The hand held bug zappers work great on Deer flies, but who carries one around?

 

[cat fever]

Eating lots of food with onions and garlic works good. When your sweat smells like garlic you are good to go outside. Of course not even your wife and kids want to be around either.

 

[Mace Canute]

You've got no idea what bugs are like until you get way up north where they are. I grew up in the South but spent two summers in the Alaskan bush so I do know. Personally I don't think I'd live up there. You either freeze in winter or the bugs'll eat you alive in the summer. If it ain't the skeeters, it's the deer flies and the white socks and or the no seeums and sometimes all of em together. There's more bitin & flyin critters up there than I ever saw in any jungle on earth.

I spent a year in the Yukon about 50 miles north of Dawson City and know full well just how voracious the bugs are up north. The ones down south here are just weak imitations of their northern cousins.

 

[Avondale]

I'm wondering if double sided tape on your hat might get the Deer Flies. They annoy the crap out of me, and I have noticed they like to land on ones hat. The hand held bug zappers work great on Deer flies, but who carries one around?

We use a Bounce dryer sheet pinned to cap to deter deer and horse flies.