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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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BLACK FLIES !!!!!!

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sdaly66
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/16/2004 : 11:01:11

I'm sure there's not a Chesapeake sailor here who hasn't felt the wrath of the black fly on his or her ankles, knees, neck, back (even through a shirt), and everywhere else a person has skin.

I've waged both chemical and electronic warfare against these creatures to little avail and less relief.

Does ANYONE have a working solution (or a marginally successful one) for keeping these critters at bay (pardon the pun)?

Replies of "stay at home" will be deemed unamusing

This site is a GREAT resource full of VERY helpful folks.

250 WB 1996 Hull #205

Thank you all.

Edited by - on

Todd Frye
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2004 : 11:38:21

On Utah Lake we have swarms of midges. I'm not an entomologist, but have also been told they are male mosquitoes (thankfully, they don't bite). They cover everything and squash when you touch, sit or walk anywhere...not to mention flying into eyes, nose, ears and mouth. They become real bad when coming back into the marina prompting the crew to scurry below decks while the sacrificial helmsman bites the bullet. I have made a bug screen for the companionway which helps, but the best avoidance for me is sailing before the sun comes up and sailing in strong winds. Nothing from the store works. When sailing on the Great Salt Lake just north of here, brine shrimp flies clump into floating masses and "swarm" when your boat runs through them. We found this out while night sailing and every so often we would feel, what felt like a sand storm pelting us in the face. Somebody with better night vision than I spotted these flotillas and we where able to sail around them the rest of the night. Fair Winds. Todd Frye

Edited by - on

bobmac
1st Mate

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USA
47 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2004 : 12:30:26

I'm from Northern Ontario (North Bay) area, and we know all about black flies, horse flies, skeeters and such.

There are a few things you can do..

1. cover thy self and wear net-gear over head. A mosquito netting hat that protects your facial area. Everything else is covered. Pants, longsleeve shirt, socks, shoes etc. If you really want protection, use duct tape to seal your pants to your ankles, and your shirt sleeve to your wrists. That's probably closer to the Red Green show than you care to be. But hey, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy. I digress.

2. Smoke - keep a big-fat stogie lit and puff on it every once in a while. They hate the smoke, and it keeps them away. Might not do much good for your health either though..

3. Garlic - a healthy dose of garlic in your meal and in your blood stream will make you very untasty to them. It may make you very unsavoury to those around you as well, but hey, its them or the bugs, and you're friends probably aren't biting you.

4. This one takes some pre-planning, but during the winter, dose up on a Vitamin B supplement. In the spring, the critters won't/don't bite because they don't like whatever Vitamin B does to your blood/skin taste.

5. If all else fails - Army grade deet. Desperate times mean desperate measures.

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2004 : 12:39:40

Hi all,

Weuns humans are just fly bait I guess.

I saw a fly land on Hey Jude once out in SF Bay, in desperation maybe. It blew away...CAUSE IT WAS BLOWING LIKE SNOT AS USUAL.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

Edited by - on

Jared
1st Mate

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USA
70 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2004 : 12:50:55

Of all the folks I have talked to about this, they all just say have a flyswatter on board. Those guys are persistent too. A couple of weeks ago, we picked some up at the mouth of the Rappahannock and carried them all the way up to Maryland. Nothing kept them away other than a real stiff breeze.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2004 : 13:28:37

Sdally66,

Ready for some unamusing comments? Well stay at home doesn't work either. The sail was not eventful but hot so I rolled up my sleeves and when I got home forgot to fold them down and so I sit here scratching several skeeter bites on my arms and then read your post lamenting biters of every description spoiling the fun.

Seems to me that the only recourse is to do the eastern thing and wrap your body in sheets and your head in towles and ride camels

not sailboats.
GOD I HATE FEEDING BUGS WITH MY JUICES !

But the sail was great but some Bast@$d stole my crab traps

Val on Calista # 3936 Patchogue, N.Y.

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 06/16/2004 : 15:45:38

Lived in New Hampshire for a while, where there's black fly season, separated from mosquito season by one day......(big mosquito's, like Huey's)

Used a product called "Irvings Fly Dope"...Irving ``Fishbones'' Stevens was a hobo from Maine:

http://slick.org/deathwatch/mailarchive/msg00446.html

Kept the flies at bay, (and people). Haven't seen it for sale around these parts. Did find this:

http://www.predatorpee.com/old_woodsman.html

Also discovered one day that they left me alone as I was sweating and covered in grease replacing the timing chain in "Lady Eleonore", my Chevy Impala College Mobile...(too many powerspins.....

)

On the Bay it's Deet and Swatters. Garlic is standard procedure, flies or not. Hope this helps....

Oscar
Catalina 250WB#618 Currently FOR SALE:
http:www.woodenshoemusic.com/C250WB

Edited by - Oscar on 06/16/2004 15:47:21

nate
Navigator

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240 Posts

Response Posted - 06/17/2004 : 08:46:24

Shawn,
I tried to E-mail you but it was returned. I was writing because I'm trying to hook up with other C25/250 folks in the Chesapeake area. We just relocated to the DC area so my wife can attend grad school and we have decided not to launch our C25 this season due to numerous factors, busy school schedule, little kids, ect. Anyway....I was hoping to find some folks that might need
crew or have room for some railmeat on weekend daysails. I can be reached at (301) 963-4953 Thanks!

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.