Bugs-The Bad Kind

[armdave]

Well, we just returned from our 6th stay at the Fort in the past year. As usual we really love it. But the Orange Flies this time were Brutal. They were really bad we couldn't even Cook Out or just sit on the Patio and enjoy our favorite past time "People Watching".
Is there ever a safe time to go to avoid them?

 

[Colson39]

Orange flies? Are you talking about the love bugs? Although they aren't really orange although they have some colored parts on them, I'm trying to think what is orange and flies..lol.

If it's the love bugs, they come every summer. Your best bet is to not go probably between early May to late September. During those times they can get in very large numbers (especially August, it can turn white cars black!).

 

[armdave]

Hi
The Love Bugs we're familiar with and although the're a pain I've never really been biten by them.
The ones we're talking about look like Flies and have Orange on their backs, they may be greenish as well. Everyone we talked to was complaining about them. They were especially bad at the Movies

 

[g8trmom1]

Yes, we saw them as well. My son thought they were bees! I was eaten up the night of the Grand gathering by the mosquitos, even tho I wore repellent. They bothered me more that the orange flies, whatever they were.

 

[AuburnJen92]

My ankles are still itching from this weekend. Maybe they are to blame as well? It was dark, so I have no idea what color those things were that ate up my ankles!

 

[des1954]

Did they look kind of like this?



This is actually a Florida Deer Fly (or yellow fly) and they are nasty little creatures. They will not be "shooed" away & have a one track mind to get to your blood. They love marshy areas (which abound at FtW), but honestly cannot ever remember being bitten by one there. FtW must be cutting back on pest management. You can use Deep Woods off to keep them from biting, but they will still buzz around you and annoy you.

 

[armdave]

Is there ever a Bug Free Time in Central Florida? It'd be great to not have to worry about spraying and covering up.
It is nice that the vegetation is starting to come back.

 

[big kahuna1]

Debbie has it right. They are what we call Deer Flies and they love the summer months. They are like a smaller version of a Horsefly with yellow bodies and they don't give up until you squish em'. They itch like crazy after they bite. Nasty little buggers!

 

[jenelope]

I got bit several times on my feet and ankles by the yellow flies several years ago when I wore sandals to have dinner at Epcot. According to the information I found at the time, they like watery areas and lower extremities (legs, ankles, feet), and they're most common in May and September. I had a really horrible reaction to the bites. Besides the maddening itching, I swelled up where ever I had a bite. That was a real problem considering it was day two of a week long trip and I wore running shoes almost every other day. My feet actually bruised where the swelling met the shoe.

Now I always pack bug spray and hydrocortisone cream.

 

[auntie]

We encountered them one May ... a few years back. They were AWFUL. We weren't even staying in the campground but at the WL. They were everywhere. I remember the life guard staff complaining that they were especially bad that year. I guess some years they are worse than others. We were there last May..and had no problems at all. Love bugs..sure..they are annoying but they don't bite..the deer flies..they are terrible.

 

[loveDmouse]

Is there ever a Bug Free Time in Central Florida? It'd be great to not have to worry about spraying and covering up.
It is nice that the vegetation is starting to come back.

We go in December (early-mid ) and I don't remember being bothered by bugs either time. It is a great time to go.

If these bugs are like horseflys then they are a major PIA! They don't give up until they are squished like someone else mentioned.

 

[ntsammy5]

RUN.