Attack of the man eating flies

shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
7,487
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
On the trip from G-Port to Block Island there is a spot where flies have descended upon our boat en mass. I don't know what kind of flies they are but their pretty small and quick. About an hour of swatting usually despatched them but they'll get some bites in. For them it's either bite or die trying. Some say they're from the the dump in New London but I think there aren't open dumps anymore. Anyway, they attack in open water and you wonder what are they doing out there?
 
dbecker68

dbecker68

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Jun 13, 2005
74
Hunter 30_74-83 Fowl River, AL
"What are they doing 5 to 10 miles offshore- just waiting for a boat to go by?"


We sometimes have this problem in the middle of Mobile Bay. How do they get there? How do they know we are there? Why won't they leave us alone?

I have always figured they were blown out of the swamps by the north wind. Deep Woods Off seems to work for our variety, or 100% DEET. Neither one is very eco-friendly!
 
25yearslater

25yearslater

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Aug 20, 2010
1,399
Oday 27 Oak Orchard
I have had to contend with the little monsters on Lake Ontario. Lots of fun to let them bite and hit an artery. A whirling bath towel can dispatch with hundreds at a time other than that I have tried Off and Cutters to no avail.
 
B

Bill5155

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Jan 22, 2008
2
Pearson Pearson 323 Whitehall, Michigan
Understand the flies live, breed, and hatch in the water. Wisconsin sailors suggested going to a farm supply store and purchase a can of "barn spray". Farmers use this non-toxic product to spray cows and equipment to keep away flies. Got some and in fly season, spray down the cockpit and let dry before leaving. Voila, no more flies. $25 big ones for a can, but worth weight in gold.
 
DougM

DougM

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Jul 24, 2005
2,242
Beneteau 323 Manistee, MI
I've sailed on Lake Michigan for many years and endured those miserable things, but have the scars on my ankles and arms to prove it. I have never seen them to be as bad as they were this year. We were about three miles out when the horde descended. Nothing works to repel them. We had a flyswatter, and as somebody else noted, the corpses just draw more of the cannibals. By the time we got home, the cockpit floor was literally black. Has to scrub the cockpit floor with soap and water to get the remains out of the nonskid.
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,058
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
I have used this successfully: http://www.thermacell.com/mosquito-repellent/appliances/mosquito-repellent-appliance-in-gray
It emits a vapor synthesized from geranium plants that is very effective for keeping bugs at bay. In the cockpit, on the floor in a place where it won't get stepped on.. if underway, on the cockpit floor on the upwind side so that the vapor blows over the folks .. Sometimes I need to have two of 'em going, one in the cabin and one in the cockpit. Yes they do work.
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
They have been bad on Lake Superior as well.

After several personal recommendations, I broke down and bought some of this stuff from our marina ship's store. Although you have to re-apply every 20 minutes or so, it actually works. And unlike the stuff in the gallon jugs from Farm&Fleet, its safe for humans.

http://www.buggspray.com/
 
T

twdevore

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Mar 19, 2013
75
Beneteau First 38 Chicago
I've never figured out how they find us 5-10 miles from Chicago. The darn things make me so crazy I'm usually dancing in the cockpit trying to keep them off. "keep it in the wind"..."I can't the flies are biting me!" There could be a hundred on the transom by the time we get back to the harbor. Deep Woods Off works for a bit. The dog usually has a good snack on them. He's not effective enough to keep them off us though...
 
Doc_holiday

Doc_holiday

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Nov 19, 2011
1,489
MacGregor 26S Hampton, VA
I don't know anything about man - eating flies, but I know about a man - eating chicken. Oh wait, that's me. Anyone have a napkin?
 
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