IslandMike

We are about to embark on an adventure. The family are moving to the sticks somewhere in WA.
Time and time again we hear reports of nuisance flies irritating the life out of people.

Does anybody have any advice on how to prepare for the onslaught!

Bix

Reallydon't know the answer other than to smear jam on your partners back when they aren't looking.

aston man

mike i have purchased 100,000 caps that have a built in fan..the fan does not get rid of the flies,but they dont all fly round your head,they just sit on your nose cooling off..

hey mate there not that bad,,i saw a couple round a kangeroos bum at the zoo and that was it..

good look mate..dont believe everything you read in the papers...

ast...

steve99

There were hardly any in Perth this year, they tend to be a few weeks in spring and then they all dissapear. It was far worst when I went over East.
Adelaide was really bad, especially in the Hills and it was mid autumn and not very warm.

CadburysFingers

You dont currently live here, how can you possibly have a good lowdown on the fly situation, a holiday only gives you a slight insight, especially if you come in the non fly season.

To answer the post as someone who has lived here 3 years, and has also worked outside, I can confirm what Steve says this year has been fine, one or two at any given time, last year and the year before were completely different stories. Having 10 on my face/head at any one time was quite common, I did a fair bit of cricket umpiring in the summer last year, and at one point when the bowler and captain were having a chat next to me before a new over, I counted 33 flies on the bowlers back..........that was without the ones flying around our heads. I used to wear sunglasses when umpiring and several times havent been able to see out of them for the number of flies on the lenses. The dung beetle is supposed to control them, but that is a whole story on its own, lets just say the aus government didnt exactly bring in the correct guys for the job!!!

paulf

Very true, on the Gold Coast there is no fly problem at all, as soon as I land in Whyalla SA and step off the plane, swoosh, flies all over me, buzzing in me ears landing on me lips,arrghhhh so annoying I swallowed one of the black buggers last time there and was gagging and close to vomiting, much to the amusement of my aussie workmates, who have mastered the art of ignoring em, which I just cant do. Aeroguard keeps them off for a while.

aston man

yes your right,

margit

yes, there are plenty of flies, especially after rain and further inland, and they are the most annoying flies in the world. recommended: Aerogard spray or the combined sunscreen/aerogard lotion. flynet over your head/hat in the outback. flynets on windows/doors. mortein spray.

Siren & Brian

Hey which comp do you umpire for???

Mrs Jackaroo

Just accept the buggers - when they're around they're there to stay. If they land on your back, arms, legs or anywhere other than your face....leave them there - at least that way they're not in your mouth or eyes!

We also burn incense sticks to keep the mozzies at bay when we're in the garden.

Issie

My MIl has bought me one of those blue light zappers ( you know the ones you get in chippies ) that are suppose to electrocute the buggers.
Not sure whether it will work ...will keep ya posted ......by the way she bought it from ideal world ( uk )

Centurion

Yup - live on the East Coast instead...

Izzy

Check, but I think it is illegal to bring those zapper things to Oz - think I remember reading it somewhere. If it's not - let me know - I want my Dad to send me his over ! (sorry, just re-read your post - my Dad has a thing like an electricified tennis racquet that you can swipe the flies with - think that is the illegal thing !)

arkon

Well, anyone that says they are not a problem is lying. Even the Aussies find them bad. But they have obviously had years to get used to them. This year wasn't so bad because we had quite a dry one and nowhere near as hot during the summer. Last year was unbearable. You couldn't eat outside for about 2 months, and even after the plague is over you still get the mellingerers for months after that.

One tip is talk with your teeth shut like the locals do. I wear a hat with a flyscreen on it like bee keepers have. Aeroguard keeps them away for an hour or two but kills you in the process of spaying it on.

Flys also only ever fly south! When the wind turns and blows north they all hit the deck and hang on so stop from being blown back up north. so they basically migrate south. Worst place I've experienced them was Melbourne. QLD seemed much better, probably because the giant spiders do a better job at eating them.

Between the flies and the mozzies I find they make any outdoor attraction that Oz has just not worth the effort. Oh and don't ever take on an Australian wasp. They leave you alone by and large but swat at one and it takes on a personal vendetta to kill you.