I also notice that they are a little better the earlier I get out there. The first break of dawn seems to be a lot better than later in the morning and the same at the end of the day, later in that case.
I also notice that they are a little better the earlier I get out there. The first break of dawn seems to be a lot better than later in the morning and the same at the end of the day, later in that case.
i dont wear hats but i also need to protect my head cuz i have really short hair that they always land on. sometimes i take my shirt and put the collar over my head and let it hang down the back a bit. Then it flaps around when u run and keeps them away. Like some other people said the vast majority of the bugs go for my head and neck.
Here in Michigan we sometimes call them "TIE Fighters" (like in the original Star Wars trilogy) for the way the bastards fly in a swarm behind your head and stage coordinated attacks while you run. Swatting doesn't do much good as they are very hard to kill for their size. The good thing about them is that they have difficulty landing on a moving target- they can follow you all day but you might never get bitten. If you get a real large group buzzing around you, stop for a few seconds and wave your hands or hat to disperse them. Unfortunately you will probably soon have an equally huge number attacking you again. One of the best things I noticed while in Flagstaff last week was the distinct lack of deer flies and mosquitoes. Altitude schmaltitude- the absence of blood-suckers is the real advantage you guys have over those of us in the Midwest and East!
Run with a buddy and stay a few meters back. They always attack the guy in the front. Strange.
Ha, this is a funny post. I remember when I trained in Cape Cod for my Soph. year of college, a certain course I would run, though the most scenic, would be filled with deer flies. I ended up picking this course intentionally on "fartlek" or up-tempo days because I would try to drop the flies and flail my arms behind me swatting them off, giving me such an adrenaline boost for over 3-6 miles, that it was an awesome workout. I did get bit once in a while, but I managed to drop from 26:17 to 25:17 with that summer of work...
Just cut a hole in the bottom of your shorts and they will leave your back, neck, and face alone.
Nothing you do can stop us. We will bite your ass at will.
I hate those damn things.
I used to spray off but my flesh would burn once i started sweating. So in summary, OFF works, but burns.
I had one follow me for a good mile or so last week.
I like to wait until one is fully gorged on my blood, then I smash him just as he's getting ready to take off.
The result is a brilliant splattering of blood down my back or chest...I look like a real bad-ass. But those bastards hurt!
The shirt over the head idea works. Doesn't get rid of them, but they are attracted to th eflapping shirt and don't seem to land and bite when the shirt is hanging down flapping. As mentioned, running at night or very late evening, or very early morning, they seem to be scarcer.
If the goal is to go to battle with them, I have heard that hanging flypaper off the back of a hat works well in collecting them in great numbers, but I'm not sure it does much to keep from getting bitten.
I was so bothered by them last year during a particularly annoying stretch, that the next day I looked them up on the internet, and discovered that they are attracted to the carbon dioxide "stream" you have trailing you when you run. They pick up on it and follow it to the source, which is you of course, because they know where there is carbon dioxide, there is an oxygen breathing living thing, which means there is blood source present for them to feed off of.
Maybe the "buzz-away" or whatever it is, hides the "scent" of the carbon dioxide stream???
Have you seen this fly?
http://www.enature.com/fieldguide/showSpecies_LI.asp?imageID=18579
The deer flies, I can stand; it's the horse flies that worry me. Take note: they are most attracted to motion and dark or shiny shapes. So wear light-colored clothing. And you might want to check out the fly-paper idea. Here's more....
The greatest deer and horse fly activity occurs on warm, sunny days when there is little or no wind. A slight drop in temperature or a sudden breeze reduces biting attacks. Deer flies seem to be attracted to moving objects and dark shapes. They attack humans especially around the face and neck areas (four to five deer flies attack at one time).
A few years ago, several Ohio State University Extension agents field tested TRED-NOT DEER FLY PATCHES as a non-chemical control method. Some reported good results of these odorless, non-chemical, adhesive patches. The patches are three inches wide by six inches long, and are worn on the back of a cap to trap and hold biting deer flies. Patches worked best when moving. For more information, contact DETEX, 6910 W. Ten Mile Road, Leroy, Michigan 49655. Prices are 12 patches for $12.00, 40 patches for $25.00 and 80 patches for $40.00. Shipping is free and within 24 hours.
Persons hiking, picnicking, camping or involved in outdoor activity should protect themselves with repellents such as N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (Deet, Off) or permethrin. Deet-based repellents are effective for a few hours, but the user should not apply indiscriminately since human allergies can develop. Permethrin-based repellents applied only on clothing usually last longer. (Follow label directions.)
Horse flies are usually attracted to shiny surfaces, motion, carbon dioxide, and warmth. Some people report attacks while in swimming pools. Flies light on the skin and bite, causing much pain (one to two horse flies attack at one time). Others fly erratically near the head, often "banging" recklessly into windows and other objects in a crazy fashion. Some rest on back porches, etc., especially in mid to late August.
There are also nylon head nets that keep insects away from the neck and face yet are suitable for clear vision and reinforced for pipe or cigarette smoking. And, Bug-Off Jackets make it unnecessary to use aerosol cans or messy, oily bottles of rub-on repellents. A handy mesh jacket slips on easily over regular outdoor clothing and is very effective when a strong repellent is applied. Store the jacket in a sealed plastic bag.
Gloves are useful, as are tightly woven, long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Be sure that the shirt cuffs button tightly. Light colors, such as army suntans, seem less attractive than dark blue jeans.
Area repellents with citronella or naphthalene are a good way to repel deer flies and mosquitoes in or near a patio, yard, tent, or cabin. Providing daytime shelter for humans and animals is important as horse and deer flies do not appear to bite greatly at night.
Insecticides
I just got back from running my local trails, and there was
not a deer fly in sight. Either I'm lucky because my trails
are not near water, or they just haven't hit northern NJ yet.
BTW, I've discussed the joy of trail running with some of my
friends who also enjoy them. We can't run them in the winter because they're covered with snow and ice. In the
spring they're muddy from the thaw. In summer, deer flies
and other pests make us miserable. But in the fall, there
are a few beautiful weeks to enjoy them before the leaves
cover rocks, ruts, and roots, making them dangerous.
I've heard that a kick-ass mullet works as a good defense against the flies. They always go for the back of your head and your neck. The mullet is also good for attracting divorcees down at the trailer park.
nj sucks for year round trail running
try portland, or
incredible trail running year round
can't beat it
Those horse flies will bite through t-shirts. I have the stain to prove it.
I think the worst thing that happened to me was to inhale a deer fly. I tried but couldn't puke him up.
no skeets
no deerflies
no horseflies or greenheads
miles and miles and miles of trail nirvana
if you are lucky enough to live in the northwest hills you will never be tired of the trail options
don'tcha wish you lived here?
Yea...i never knew what these things were and they just come zoomin at yoru face 100mph and smack right in your head constantly....i bet i had one follow me for a mile or so.....and then natured called and i had to stop..... what can one expect if they get bitten? Lots of swelling? scab? I got some swelling in the back of my head and feels like a little scab but didnt' seem to show up until a week or so after i was being attacked....what have u guys noticed from the bites?
nittanyboiler wrote:
I think the worst thing that happened to me was to inhale a deer fly. I tried but couldn't puke him up.
Careful! That son-of-a-bitch will survive your digestive system, emerge from your stool (stunned, but angry), and still engorge the flesh on the back of your head.
Don't take this whole issue lightly. For all humanity, we need to kill as many of these beasts as possible. If they continue to multiply at their current rate, they will surpass humans on the food chain by 2020. At that point it will be unsafe to leave your home. No more running. No amusement parks. Forget the beaches. The mountains: Off-limits. Humans will be prisoners in their own homes. Of course that will not be safe either as asswipes like nittanyboiler will have inadvertantly brought them inside all because "I couldn't puke him up". Come on! You call yourself a boiler? Now suck it up and wretch for the rest of us.