At long last, this year’s healthy crop of mosquitos has dwindled to the point that at least for the time being, they are not as bothersome as they were immediately following our spring rains. And, black flies have fizzled out, too. But, there’s another vicious flying insect that emerges each summer that tops them all in the biting department: the deer fly.
I recall my first encounter with the tormenters, while outdoors with my Labrador retriever years ago. He came from a wooded area to a dirt road where I was walking and I noticed what I thought was a swarm of bees all around him. I ran as fast as I could so that he would follow me but those deer flies were just as fast. I opened the door to the parked vehicle, jumped in with the dog and discovered that he was being attacked by some wicked flies.
As with mosquitoes, only female deer flies have a thirst for our blood, as if that’s of any consequence. It’s truly amazing how they can locate victims, land on bare skin without their knowledge, and begin to probe for blood. Unless we actually see them, it’s usually too late to avoid the painful after effects of their bloodsucking ways. The flies cut through skin like a surgeon with mouthparts that are sharp as razors and create allergic reactions from the saliva, which is injected into the wound to prevent clotting while the fly is feeding.
These airborne menaces carry diseases such as anthrax, tularemia, hog cholera, and a host of others and are suspected of transmitting Lyme disease.
Their eggs are laid on plants along rivers, streams, and lakes and that’s where the adults tend to congregate, although they can be about anywhere. They are about the size of common house flies and have a noticeable stripe across the wings. They tend to bombard the head and neck area of humans and can be caught by swinging an insect net around one’s head while walking through an infested area.
Another method of control is covering up with clothing, which can be just about as uncomfortable as the bites in hot, humid conditions. But, it is good to stay away from the color blue, which tends to attract the vampires. Insect repellant is just about useless.
However, there is another way to trap them and it doesn’t involve flailing away with some stupid net, which only attracts them through all the crazy movement. They are Deerfly Patches, which are worn on the back of a baseball hat and act like flypaper. The flying terrorists slam into the patch and that’s the end of the line for them. Your hat may not be very stylish but neither are the welts left by the attackers. . The hat patches can be ordered online at http://www.tucker-usa.com and are very inexpensive. Just follow the instructions provided, making sure to attach the correct side of the double-side tape to your hat.
You may not catch them all, but the flytrap hat makes for good conversation in certain circles
which are worn on the back of a baseball hat and act like flypaper. The flying terrorists slam into the patch and that’s the end of the line for them. Your hat may not be very stylish but neither are the welts left by the attackers. . The hat patches can be ordered online at http://www.tucker-usa.com and are very inexpensive. Just follow the instructions provided, making sure to attach the correct side of the double-side tape to your hat.
