Beauty and the Beast
 

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

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???? :rofl:

In the meantime I am off out to buy one of these sexy little numbers ;) :rofl:

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

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

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

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

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

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d1...k/DSC00745.jpg

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/

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

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 :blink:)

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

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

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

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

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

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

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

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

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

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.

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

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:confused::blink: everyone seemed to know except me,

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

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

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

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 :rofl:

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

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

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

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

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

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

is there any thing else i should be aware of.:blink:

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

Now i know why so many wear caps!

I went out in the garden with the girls, i have pretty thick hair & it was hot so i thought ok, bunches will do for the garden.

The little buggers got me at the front of my parting & down the back of it!?
Now i look like a dandruff head, dark hair thick white cream, plus benadryl tablets off course to stop them looking like wasp bits.

Quite a few locals have smiled as they put no creams on & rarely get bitten?

NovaGirl

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

I attract and react badly to most bugs that bite and sting. I bought Bite Shield from Costco about 5 years ago...it works for me...even wasps don't bother me so much. I can't find my old one and can't find anywhere that sells them so I've ordered one from here:

http://www.lentek.com/bite-shields.html

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

Thanks Jerseygirl, i have loads of sprays, creams, etc i think one that helps if i can remember is " Deep Woods " i hope i have the name right, possibly get an hour or two, but i have to take tablets to stop them getting out of control.
Once i run out i might try Bite Sheild.

NovaGirl

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

I've tried most of the creams, spray etc but if I miss a small spot the buggers get me there. A deer fly bit me on my toe and another time under my arm...it's impossible to cover everything.

I even clip the Bite Shield onto my swimsuit when I'm sunbathing/reading in the pool...that's when the deer/horse flies get me.

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

The only thing is some of the locals & people i know laugh when i get near them as sometimes i put so much on spray & cream they can really smell it!


NovaGirl

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

The thing which worries me about most of those products is that they melt plastic. :eek: So what the hell are they doing to your skin/body? :blink:

Re: Beauty and the Beast
 

Me too, i read some where to be careful putting too much deet onto your skin, but that is the product in " Deep Woods " which works pretty well up to a point?

I am hoping in time i am like the locals, not really affected :rofl:

NovaGirl