Say "Hello" to our little friend.....

[happy2Bme]

.....the yellow flies are baaaccckkkk!!!!! Walking the fuzzy kid last night I got bit four times. And I do swell, and I do ITCH (little B'strds!).

Tonight I had four going kamakazi on me as I passed "the swamp" (take your pick.....in Pt. W, we all live in the swamp!). Ms. K-9 was seemingly immune based, I guess, on the fact that she stinks like old dog where as I was freshly-showered. (Note to self: 1. nix baths for the summer and see if that helps. 2. be prepared to bathe in event of marital discord or backlash from co-workers).

An aside: do you think PETA would be aghast at how easily and callously, and with wanton malisciousness, one will squash a yellow fly? I mean, they are "slow", compared to house flies, so should we feel bad when we dispatch them simply because we can? I say...."SQUASH 'EM LIKE A BUG!. Li'l B'strds!!

 

[ChillPill]

OMGosh I am covered with (super-killer, tenacious historical Pt. Washington strain) Yellow Fly/Deer Fly bites!! I too am in pain, the bites are swollen and the itching is out of control. I counted 18 bites and 29 squished fly carcasses, accrued over the weekend as we worked and played outside on the dock. The worst attack was walking down driveway to get the mail. I believe their lifespan is 4 to 6 weeks. Doing a rough calculation...I believe my mailbox can hold at least 6 weeks of mail.

I've tried every possible spray remedy/prevention, nothing seems to work. Calamine lotion seems to cut down on that urge to itch so hard that you reach cartilage or bone, so I'm going with that for tonight.

When I drove down my road today, everyone who was walking their dog was swatting the little buggers that were swarming their head and no one looked very pleased. Hopefully someone has some remedies for these beastly pests. Please share.... please....

[EDIT: I have not had any contact with these flies down on the beach]

 

[Geo]

Cactus juice works

 

[ChillPill]

Cactus juice works

Thank you, I will find that and try it.

 

[Geo]

I get mine from For the Health of It on 30a. It keeps them off of you. Doubt it does anything to treat existing bites. They make it with sunscreen in it too...

 

[happy2Bme]

Cactus juice works

Do they carry that in Publix? Don't they carry EVERYTHING in Publix?!

 

[ChillPill]

I get mine from For the Health of It on 30a. It keeps them off of you. Doubt it does anything to treat existing bites. They make it with sunscreen in it too...

Thank you! I will definitely get some, if you can avoid the bites, its all good. The bites are so painful and relentless itching for days/nights. I know right where that store is. I will share w/ my neighbors, they are so nice, and the doggies are so cool.

 

[Carol G]

Best advice I have gotten is to take a benadryl as soon as possible after being bitten, it helps keep the allergic swelling down. Last year was the first time I ever experienced a yellow fly bite, and I had one so bad on my leg, it swelled to the size of a golf ball and I could hardly walk. Right now I have 5 (FIVE) bites (got another one tonight) but the swelling is no larger than a mosquito bite, I think due to the benadryl.

Relieving the itching is another story... I have a few different topical lotions/cremes that contains some sort of numbing agent. Today I am using Caladryl, and it is really helping.

Cactus juice does work, when I remember to use it. I also make a blend of essential oils that I spray both myself and my dog with, and it deters every bug within a 10 ft radius - citronella, eucalyptus, peppermint, lemon, and clove oils, about 10 drops of each, blended with about a teaspoon of a carrier oil and 5oz of purified water. Shake and spray liberally. My dog hates it, but it works.

 

[NotDeadYet]

Camphphenique for the bites. Cuts down on the pain and swelling in a few minutes. Can also be bought in a little gel tube to carry with you. Good for mosquito bites also.

 

[mvy]

Tea tree oil helps soothe the itching.