Bob Cotsford Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Horseflies, litlle wotsits aint they? Today I smothered myself in two different fly repellants, one citrus based and another Greek labelled one that tastes nasty, and for a couple of hours I was safe, but then I fired up the Mustfire and got one bite on my elbow just as the plane lifted off, then a further three on forearm and wrist during the next 8 minutes Antihistamine and hydrocortisone creams have stopped them erupting too much but they still itch like crazy. Does anyone have a guaranteed deterrent for the little blighters? Or is it because pre-bites I was flying electric and they only attacked when I went petrol? Are they eco-terrorists Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Hi Bob, I am particularly sensitive to insect bites - what to others is just an irritant becomes a major matter for me. The bites swell up into huge bumps and as you say are terribly itchy. Sounds like you react similarly. About 6 years ago I took my first holiday in the west of Scotland - boy did I suffer! Then one of the locals put me onto something called "Avon Skin So Soft". Now I'll be straight with you, its a lady's perfume - and not a particularly subtle one at that. Put it on and you smell like a walking "Lady of the Night's Handbag"! But,...incredibly it works! I don't care what I smell like, or how many jokes are made at my expense when I put on my "old woman's perfume" - I'm not getting bitten, and that's all that matters to me. I don't know how true it is but I have been told that the British Army use this stuff and for every bottle sold as a perfume probably 10 are sold as an insect repellant! And its only about £5 a bottle - cheaper than most repellants. BEB Edited By Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 20/07/2014 22:57:45 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Horse flies seem to be attracted to me If you ever get the chance to go to Egypt or know someone who is about to go, try an anti - mosquito spray called OFF. Don't know if it will work on those little grey devils but it keeps the Egyptian Mosquitos at bay. This might be the same stuff Edited By cymaz on 20/07/2014 23:01:47 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Brooks Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 Came across the following recipe on Facebook recently. I think it's intended for use on horses, but if you're desperate enough...... Well I am still recommending this fly repellant recipe for horseflies - today (when I ran out) is the 1st day they have been back!! However I now have the recipe so shall make some tonight.... The recipe is: 2 capfuls of dettol 2 capfuls of surgical spirit 8 - 10 drops tea tree oil 2 tablespoons (or glug) of vinegar Fill up to 1 litre with warm water Don't know if it'll work for everyone but did work on the 3 of mine that attract horseflies!! The bonus is it cost less than £6 and will make about 4 or 5 litres!! Good luck!!!! X Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codename-John Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 I got bitten on the hand by one last year, made my hand swell up like something off the film "Nutty Professor" was told Neem oil is excellent as an all round repellent of most insects, its natural, and is quite good for your skin to boot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flytilbroke Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 The Avon SSS is I believe no longer made though some stock may still be available. It was and is particularly good against Midges which "slice" into the skin surface, they tended to oil up easily too. Horse flies (Clegs) as Scots know them, are piercing insects as are mosquitoes and will go through it, especially as it wears off. Any repellent which has a high concentration of a substance "DEET" will work very well, although re-application every couple of hours is a good idea. Any skin part missed will still tend to get bitten by the Cleg and that includes any part where the clothing is close to the skin. They are after all designed to bite through THICK hide, like Horse and Cow hide. The good news? they dont fly when it is cool, below 14 to16C I believe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Bertram Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I have the same problems with horseflies and use the Avon skin so soft too. Just had a look at the Avon site and it is back in stock soon. http://avonshop.co.uk/product/bath-and-body/skin-so-soft/skin-so-soft-original-dry-oil-body-spray.html May be available on ebay. Went kayaking on the west coast of Scotland last year and all the local pubs sold it although I imported my own. Apparently it has a natural ingredient that begins with a 'T' (which I can't remember), that the little blighters don't like. Edited By Bob Bertram on 21/07/2014 07:20:33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamie sawyer Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Tea Tree by any chance Bob ?? Avon So Soft is a good product. The clegs arent bad up here this year..YET and hopefully they wont. Last year was hellish. Clegs are sneaky buggers, you don't know there on you untill you feel the nip and by then it's to late. Pam and 5 fingers make short work of them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 at least I'm not alone! I shall investigate TeaTree oil and Avon products asap, thanks. I do seem to draw the little blighters away from other club members, much to their amusement Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Bertram Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Jamie, I read somewhere that it was Thiamine but not too sure, however it does have Citronella in it as well as Avon's secret ingredients! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Crosby Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I have horrible issues with any insect bite.. I use Avon skin so soft dry oil spray (original/GREEN) for every day use. Learned about this one in Scotland..they swear by it . When out in the woods Repel 55 insect repellent along with and anti histamine pill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vecchio Austriaco Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Had best experience with Autan spray - but not from here, I purchased it in Sydney. Probably they have a different recipe there as the main attackers down there look like a small fly but bite similar to a horsefly. Unfortunately the bottle is empty now. Need to convince either my company to send me to our Australian factory or my better half to book a holiday in Australia... VA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mart49 Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Avon skin so soft available on the 'bay. Bought a triple pack just last week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Jones Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 My wife is an Avon Lady and she tells me Skin So Soft has been repackaged but you can still get it just as before, this is it. If you live near to me I can get my wife to order it, alternatively of course you can buy it yourself. Ian Edited By Ian Jones on 21/07/2014 13:47:33 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly P Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 If you find Tea-Tree to be effective then try this: We use Tea Tree and scent neutral washing powder in the washing machine, this prevents the little one getting any skin irritation from laundry powders. It also leaves a very faint (I can't smell it) scent of Tea Tree on the clothing, which seems to put most midges and biters off.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braddock, VC Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 My brothers went fishing in alaska which is as fly ridden as a flyridden place. The local guide advised the strong soya sauce, several soup spoonful daily. They said it worked. I HATE horse flies and always wear long sleeves and never shorts, light cotton glaves. I bought a camo mask for when I go pigeon shooting and that makes me just about invulnerable. I'd try the soya sauce thing but it's my marmite...yukk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Posted by Braddock, VC on 21/07/2014 16:32:20: I'd try the soya sauce thing but it's my marmite...yukk. Are you suppose to eat it or rub it in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spice Cat Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 I sympathise!! Some years I travelled to Sri Lanka and then the Maldives. Before going a work colleague advised me to take either a vitamin B tablet a day or eat some vitamin B rich food like Marmite. Now there was no way I was gonig to eat that stuff but a vit b tablet was ok if taken with with water as it's an aquired taste. My tour guide in Sri Lanka advised us to avoid anything citrus like pineapple. Needless to say I went the entire time in SL without a bite until we went on Safari and they served us fresh cut pineapple. Ten minutes later; bang. Good luck. PS When I was in the TA we used to swear by Jungle Gel or anything with plenty of deet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Gilder Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 As has been mentioned, anything with deet in should work as this is the active ingredient that the pesky blighters done enjoy! a few years back I was lucky enought to go to Afghanistan where there are plenty of flying little bugs and insects! Before I went I impreganted all my clothing with the following! Cant remember where I got it now but if you can find some, it works a treat! Also whilst everyone else needed Mossi nets, I just spread some round the edges of the camp bed and didn't get bitten once, despite others getting eaten through the nets! Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Marsh Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Posted by Biggles' Elder Brother - Moderator on 20/07/2014 22:56:32: Hi Bob, I am particularly sensitive to insect bites - what to others is just an irritant becomes a major matter for me. The bites swell up into huge bumps and as you say are terribly itchy. Sounds like you react similarly. About 6 years ago I took my first holiday in the west of Scotland - boy did I suffer! Then one of the locals put me onto something called "Avon Skin So Soft". Now I'll be straight with you, its a lady's perfume - and not a particularly subtle one at that. Put it on and you smell like a walking "Lady of the Night's Handbag"! But,...incredibly it works! I don't care what I smell like, or how many jokes are made at my expense when I put on my "old woman's perfume" - I'm not getting bitten, and that's all that matters to me. I don't know how true it is but I have been told that the British Army use this stuff and for every bottle sold as a perfume probably 10 are sold as an insect repellant! And its only about £5 a bottle - cheaper than most repellants. BEB Another one for Avon Skin so soft. We were having bites last weekend and Stan mentioned the product. Luckily there is a Avon rep who lives nearby and ordered a bottle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cymaz Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 All this talk of horseflies is making me itch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
malcolm woodcock 1 Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 It's not horseflies that bother me but those little black blighters. They never bother me until I take off, then they're in and on my face and being very irritating and I can't take my hands off the tx to swipe them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Rothwell Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 so basically model flyer`s don`t care what they smell like..............but have incredibly soft skin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Mills Posted July 21, 2014 Share Posted July 21, 2014 Re the bottle of repellant. NOMAD is the name of a firm of outdoor clothing specialists. Might be one of theirs. And PLEASE answer the question : Soy sauce : drink it or rub it in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted July 21, 2014 Author Share Posted July 21, 2014 mmmm Marmite! I'll definitely try that one tomorrow. You do mean to eat it don't you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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