Darn Dear Flys look like a delta wing jet

Timber · Jul 23, 2006

My wife was just saying 2 weeks ago that she can't believe I haven't seen any dear flys this year. Well that was it last week there out double time. I don't relay know a lot about them except the carve a nice piece of flesh out of you when they take a bite. Does anyone know how to control these things or better yet what it there breeding habitat so I can try to eliminate it for next year if I can. I know fighting insects is a losing battle but If I can cut there numbers down it would be a great help

JimR · Jul 23, 2006

Re: Dam Dear Flys look like a delta wing jet

That's when you need to be on your toes and bring out the SAM's (smack arm madly) to knock them down.

PineRidge · Jul 23, 2006

Re: Dam Dear Flys look like a delta wing jet

We seem to have lots of biting deer flies this year, more-so than previous years. My neighbor recommended the fly traps that you hang in the yard made by Rescue (the same folks that make the yellow-jacket traps). We purchased 4 just before our annual Independence Day shindig and put them at various places on the property to draw the flies away from the masses.

They seem to work really well, although you don't want to get downwind from one or it will definitely clear your sinuses.

Slamfire · Jul 23, 2006

Re: Dam Dear Flys look like a delta wing jet

They do bite hard, but are relatively easy to swat.
Don't ride a horse through deer fly country, you can get hurt. I found that out at the age of eight, dislocated an elbow when my pony bolted.

up north Dave · Jul 24, 2006

Re: Dam Dear Flys look like a delta wing jet

All you need is a blue bucket some sticky stuff called tangle foot should be avaible at garden center. and a broom handle. attach broom handle to bucket smear tangle foot on bucket with putty knife. and carry it with you or attach to riding mower and go for ride. My wife and I tryed it this year and caught hundreds in no time. they go for the blue bucket and get stuck.

roxynoodle · Jul 24, 2006

Re: Dam Dear Flys look like a delta wing jet

I was bitten by one too this weekend and don't normally have a problem with them. Horse flies are even worse I think. And, yes, if they bite your horse without you realizing it, you could get in trouble!

whodat90 · Jul 24, 2006

Re: Dam Dear Flys look like a delta wing jet

Chickens. Get a couple chickens and let them have at the flies. It's amazing how efficient they are at bug control.

daTeacha · Jul 24, 2006

Re: Dam Dear Flys look like a delta wing jet

Not really a solution, but an interesting note or two on the little monsters. They are attracted to motion. The more you move, the more flies you will have harassing you. I once ran my 8N up the neighbors 1/2 mile lane in Michigan in top gear. When I got to the end, both the tractor and I were more or less covered with the things, all trying to get in a bite or two. Apparently, if they can get an animal running hard from them, more blood comes to the surface and there is more food. CO2 attracts mosquitoes, possibly the flies, too. There is a new product out that uses a small butane cylinder to evaporate a pretty effective repellant, but it may not work on a windy day. When you swat one, make sure you squash it good. They're pretty tough and will not die from the usual mosquitoe quality hit. Try watching one that you've hit once and you'll see what I mean.

gizmo · Jul 24, 2006

Re: Dam Dear Flys look like a delta wing jet

I noticed that motion thing a couple years ago. Whenever I drive my truck back to the barn it gets covered with dear flies. As soon as I stop they all seem to leave.