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Black flies, helllp!

believer avatar
Beach Lover
5,468 views
What can I put on the kids to protect their skin from black flies?

Replies

13
Beach Lover
#2
What can I put on the kids to protect their skin from black flies?


A wetsuit.
Kurt avatar
Admin
#3
A wetsuit.

Funny and true - a few other things that work - wind, clothing, and neck-deep gulf water. Some say they have success with part vinegar concoctions that helps keep them off.

Black flies are present when we get a north breeze at certain times of the year (mostly Fall). When present they are usually worse at the waterline area. They are attracted to stationary objects like chairs, umbrellas, and coolers. If you have a few things like this and a couple of people hanging around you are huge magnets. Walk away from the set up and the flies will not find you as easily.

While very annoying and somewhat painful, you may be able to ignore them with some success after training yourself. It helps to know that they only bite and do not have a stinger, and they don't leave any poisons or irritants in the bite so that you don't get inflamed or itchy like from a yellow fly or mosquito bite.
Hop avatar
Beach Fanatic
#4
A lifeguard recommended bullfrog because it has spf and insect repellent. Black flies can be pretty nasty. I have not seen them too much lately though.
Beach Fanatic
#5
We sell an 8oz. bottle of "Cactus Juice" for $7.99. It's a DEET-free product that seems to work against the black and yellow flies, as well as other biting insects. Not perfect, but works for most people.
Jdarg avatar
SoWal Expert
#6
We sell an 8oz. bottle of "Cactus Juice" for $7.99. It's a DEET-free product that seems to work against the black and yellow flies, as well as other biting insects. Not perfect, but works for most people.

And I have a blue cooler with a white top that seems to be a black fly magnet. Combined with this stuff, I should be OK, except when I need to get into the cooler.;-)
jodiFL avatar
Beach Fanatic
#7
And I have a blue cooler with a white top that seems to be a black fly magnet. Combined with this stuff, I should be OK, except when I need to get into the cooler.;-)
that seems to be their favorite color. you know the color you are supposed to wear to be nice and cool in the sun... :roll:
Gidget avatar
Beach Fanatic
#8
We sell an 8oz. bottle of "Cactus Juice" for $7.99. It's a DEET-free product that seems to work against the black and yellow flies, as well as other biting insects. Not perfect, but works for most people.

I heard from someone else that the ONLY thing that worked was Cactus Juice. So, being new to the area, can you describe where abouts you are located?

Thanks!
G
Matt J avatar
SWGB
#9
that seems to be their favorite color. you know the color you are supposed to wear to be nice and cool in the sun... :roll:

Mosquitoes are attracted to blue. The theory is that it helps them find veins.
Beach Fanatic
#10
I heard from someone else that the ONLY thing that worked was Cactus Juice. So, being new to the area, can you describe where abouts you are located?

Thanks!
G

Welcome to the neighborhood, Gidget. Our main store is in Seagrove, next to the old Wheelhouse Restaurant. We also have a satellite location inside the Grayton General Store, at the corner of 30A and 283, a few miles east of Blue Mountain.
Will B avatar
Moderator
#11
I remember one day as a kid being on the beach during a bad fly day. We had a white Army jeep. There were so many flies on it that it looked like it had been peppered. To this day, my mom tells a story of grabbing my sister and I under each arm and running from the beach because they had gotten so bad and were attacking...

My dad used to describe them as a housefly that was 90% teeth...
florida girl avatar
Beach Fanatic
#12
Go to Panama City, they spray there.
believer avatar
Beach LoverAuthor
#13
no thanks
Beachbummette avatar
SoWal Insider
#14
Cactus juice works grayt for us!

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