Cookie

Ahhh, here comes summer.................and the hummingbirds have arrived. They are amazing to see close up and facinating to watch

On the flip side................. I got my first black fly bite in my scalp. Large lump and swollen glands :curse: :curse: :curse:

Here is the Canada bug report

Now, what are all the 'tried and tested' anti-blackfly/mozzie/no see-ums old wives tales of cures and deterrents. Has anyone ever seen a no see-um????

In the meantime I am off out to buy one of these sexy little numbers

http://www.safetycentral.com/mosclotcogbu.html

edsask

I remember in his book, 'Raw Spirit', Iain Banks recommended a Dust Buster. Would work a treat, I would think.

iaink

We have a skeetervac (SV35)in the yard thats doing brisk business.



Its doing overtime at the moment. If I was God for the day (or even 2 minutes...wouldn't take long) the mosquito and blackfly would be wiped from the planet.

As far a chemicals go we use the Off family skintastic DEET which works OK for a couple of hours, and on the little kids a product called "Bite blocker" that is DEET free and very effective unlike a lot of the old wives tales like bounce sheets and avon skinsosoft. We mail order that from the US

http://www.biteblocker.com/

Tuppence

I puff up horribly if I get bitten by a blackfly. They key is not to scratch it - I use Afterbite - http://www.gear-up.com/cart_showproduct.php?pid=169 immediately and it really helps. (Unfortunately it smells like cat piss )

edinburgh

after surviving the scottish midge :curse:i am an expert on biting insects

i have 2 suggestions , use avon skin so soft (whatever is in it they hate , so say the army guys)it really does work

second is stay underwater and breath through a reed

hope this helps

iaink

THe scottish midge is a pussy compared to the ontario blackfly Im afraid.

edinburgh

i thnk we need a cage fight midge from glasgow vs the ontario black fly

TheCanes

My goodness; I'd never heard of one of these before. Seems great! They are expensive, though.

iaink

About $300, plus they run about $30-40 a month in consumables (propane, traps, bait) during the bug season. Dont buy the cheaper smaller version though, it doesnt work nearly as well as it doesnt suck bugs into it.

The great advantage of the skeetervac over other similar units is you dont need to run power to it, so you can easily move it to where the bugs are worst.

Worth it for us to reclaim the yard, or at think we are at least fighting back. I still put on the OFF stuff in the evening though if I'm out cutting the grass or whatever.

Arrona

cant belive there is a bug report
last night i was sitting happily on the computer when i thought somebody was throwing stones at the window. i was terrified i looked out the window and saw big flying beetle thingys, and there were loads crawling around. i had no idea what they were. next morning i told my 8 year old to which she replied " oh that will be dune/june bugs everyone seemed to know except me,

Cookie

June bugs haven't arrived up here yet.

They will be battering against your windows for the month of June then mysteriously disappear.

http://insectphotos.net/orders/coleo...4_june_bug.jpg

MrsDV

Tucking your pant cuffs into your socks will help prevent them from biting your ankles Canadian fashion explained - it's all down to the bugs

Oh, and Avon Skin Soft does stink but DOES NOT deter even the 'pussy' Scottish Midge

Beastie

Not sure about Skin so Soft but certainly Avon Soft & Fresh (used to be known as Woodland Fresh) is effective - at least I've always found it so. Have used it in Maldives, Barbados, Cuba and the UK and have not been bitten - have forgotten to use it and have had the lumps and bumps to show for it :curse:

Lynne

edinburgh

nothing sorer than getting bitten in the maldives ..... oooya

Arrona

is there any thing else i should be aware of.