Any update on the biting deer flies?

[originalrabbit]

We have ordered the repellent spoken about on another thread but are still concerned about the yellow deer fly problem encountered by campers at FW. Our camping trip to FW begins June 15 and since I am highly allergic to mosquito bites I don't want to become a victim of the dreaded yellow deer fly. Any reports from this past week-end on the situtation? Thank you!

 

[Billmel]

We just got back...May 8 - 17th. The deer flys were there, but didn't ruin the trip. We didn't use any repellant and only citronella candles. I only received about 4 bites, but they are a pest. We not only encountered them in the campground but in Magic Kingdom on the jungle cruise as well, that is were I received 2 of my bites. They hurt like a little bee sting when they bite, and leave only a little tiny red mark. The next day they turn into mosquito like bites, very itchy!!

 

[Rhonda]

Benedryl makes a spray for insect bites that seems to work well for these fly bites. At least it stops the itching for awhile anyway. And, if you shop at Walgreens, you can get the generic, called (of course) Waldryl spray.

 

[PenskeSth1]

We were just their over the weekend. yes we did encounter a few of these pests one evening while cooking dinner. That was the only time we had seen any of thes flies. We were at the swimming pool, and campfire and didn't see any. Maybe they are just around for a little while.

 

[mom2bandp]

We just got back yesterday, and the deerflies were still there when we left. We were in the 1400 loop right beside the comfort station (near the campfire show site). We wouldn't see any in the morning, but it seemed they would come out in the heat of the day. Some days would be worse than others, and one day we didn't see any at all. My dad seemed to get the most bites, on his legs, but that might be because he took a daily nap outside. I wore track pants in the evenings and had no problems, and they never bit our arms. I came home with 4 bites on my feet and ankles, and because I watched my toddlers very closely they came home with no bites. We used citronella candles and a high powered fan, and that seemed to help. All in all they hardly affected our trip, though none of us are allergic to bug bites.

 

[Beachmom]

Just returned from Jonathan Dickinson State Park camping for the weekend. The yellow biting flies were around and very aggressive. We all used the new bug repellant Skin Screen and it worked great. Kept all biting flies and mosquitos away. Leaving for FT. Wild Wednesday and am so relieved that its going to work. We were miserable last year.

 

[Plan Man]

We live in Minnesota and encounter these biting flies and of course mosquitoes all the time. The biting flies do tend to go for the ankles and feet . they seem to like white socks. those little buggers do hurt when they bite and itch for days. what they do is lay eggs under your skin which causes a red mark about half the size of a pencil eraser . I have never found a bug spray that actually works. I highly question the bug spray or lotion mentioned above. They very rarely bite when you are in motion. When I am sitting in a chair or standing still I keep a towel in my hand and brush them away. they usually sit on your leg for about a second before they bite. they go away at night and like the sun the most. Don't worry about them. It is irritating and they do itch but it will in no way spoil a trip. I can think of a lot of other things that would be much more bothersome. Like biting fly alarmists. ( yes - i suppose if you are allegric it could cause a problem but really - how many people are really allergic to fly bites????) And I have four kids nd many freinds who have been bitten many times by mosiquitoes and these flies - when they are little (0-3) they do get bigger welts but that is kids - I am pretty sure it does not mean they are allergic!!!!!

 

[Gillian]

I get bites that swell up to 2-3 inches wide sometimes. Does that mean I'm allergic? I have no idea, but it's very annoying!

When camping 2 years ago someone gave me a can of solarcaine for my bug bites (aren't campers the best?) and it really helps with the itching. It's good before you go to sleep.