Deer flies and horse flies are notorious for turning a pleasant outdoor experience into an irritating ordeal. Their persistent swarming, painful bites, and relentless buzzing can drive anyone indoors. While these flies are a common nuisance, especially during warmer months, there are several strategies you can employ to repel them and reclaim your outdoor enjoyment.
Over 350 species of deer flies and horse flies exist across the United States and Canada, making them a widespread problem for outdoor enthusiasts. Fortunately, through years of experience and some scientific understanding, effective methods to deter these pests have emerged.
Here are nine proven ways to repel deer flies and horse flies, helping you minimize their impact on your time outside:
1. Liquid Repellents: Do They Work Against Deer Flies?
The effectiveness of liquid insect repellents against deer flies and horse flies is a subject of ongoing discussion. Unlike many insects that rely heavily on scent to locate hosts, deer flies and horse flies are primarily visual hunters. This means traditional scent-based repellents might be less effective.
However, some research suggests that chemical repellents like DEET can offer some protection. Lee Townsend, an extension entomologist at the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, indicates that DEET-based repellents can provide “several hours of protection” against these biting flies.
For those seeking natural alternatives, certain essential oils are rumored to have repellent properties. Peppermint, citronella, and lavender are often cited as potential deterrents. If you’re interested in exploring this route, recipes for essential oil mixtures are available from sources like Good Living Essential Oils. While anecdotal evidence exists, the scientific backing for essential oils against deer flies is less robust compared to DEET.
Alt text: Close-up of a cluster of deer flies and horse flies, pests known for ruining outdoor experiences.
2. The Power of Stillness: Reducing Deer Fly Attraction
Movement is a significant attractant for deer flies and horse flies. According to entomologist Howard Russell from Michigan State University, these flies are drawn to motion. Therefore, one simple tactic to reduce your visibility to these pests is to remain still.
While it might seem counterintuitive when you’re being actively bothered by flies, pausing your activity could break their visual lock on you. This technique might offer temporary relief, especially in less infested areas.
3. Outdistancing Deer Flies: Can You Escape by Moving?
While deer flies are among the fastest flying insects, outrunning them in a sprint isn’t feasible. However, entomologist Jim Dill from the University of Maine Cooperative Extension points out their territorial nature.
“As you’re walking along, one fly can bounce around your head and after you’ve gone 10 to 15 feet, oftentimes it will leave you,” Dill explains. This suggests that maintaining continuous movement, such as hiking, biking, or paddling, can help you move out of the territory of individual flies. While another fly might find you eventually, constant motion can reduce the cumulative annoyance.
4. Light Colors: Dressing to Avoid Deer Fly Attention
Color plays a role in deer fly attraction. Research by Russell Mizell at the University of Florida on deer fly traps indicates that deer flies and horse flies are drawn to dark colors, particularly blue. Conversely, they are less attracted to lighter shades and white.
Howard Russell’s personal observations support this. He notes that while driving his white pickup truck with black side mirrors, he frequently encounters dozens of flies swarming around the black mirrors but not the white body of the truck. Choosing light-colored clothing, especially whites and tans, may make you less visually appealing to deer flies.
Alt text: A person wearing a hat outdoors as protection from deer flies, emphasizing head covering as a key repellent strategy.
5. Avoiding Water: Reducing Exposure to Deer Fly Habitats
Deer flies and horse flies begin their life cycle as larvae in moist environments. They develop in the mud along the edges of ponds, streams, and in wetland areas. Adult flies often remain near these breeding grounds.
Consequently, you are likely to encounter higher concentrations of deer flies in proximity to water bodies. Reducing your time spent near ponds, streams, and wetlands, especially during peak deer fly season, can naturally decrease your exposure to these pests.
6. Hats: A Simple Yet Effective Deer Fly Defense
Covering up with clothing is a generally effective strategy against biting flies, and when it comes to deer flies and horse flies, head protection is paramount. “Always wear a hat,” advises Russell. “They seem to be attracted to the back of your head.”
Deer flies and horse flies are known to burrow into hair to reach the scalp for biting. A hat acts as a physical barrier, preventing them from accessing the top of your head. A hat with a brim provides even greater protection, potentially shielding your face, ears, and neck as well.
7. Sticky Hats: Turning the Tables with a Deer Fly Trap
For a more proactive approach, consider turning your hat into a deer fly trap. Howard Russell suggests applying a sticky substance like Tree Tanglefoot to the back of a hat. This creates a simple yet effective trap.
“Then I just put it on and walk around the garden. Pretty soon I have 50-60 flies on it,” Russell describes. This method physically captures the flies that are attracted to your head, reducing their numbers and providing a tangible way to combat them. While perhaps not the most fashionable option, sticky hats are a highly effective method for dealing with deer flies.
8. Dryer Sheets: An Anecdotal Deer Fly Repellent
An unconventional but surprisingly popular method involves using dryer sheets. Outdoor enthusiasts often claim that the strong, soapy scent of dryer sheets can repel deer flies and horse flies.
Methods of application vary, with some rubbing dryer sheets on clothing and skin, while others tuck them into hats or pockets. While scientific evidence specifically targeting deer flies is lacking, a 2010 study did find that Bounce dryer sheets repelled fungus gnats. The effectiveness against deer flies remains largely anecdotal, but many swear by this method as a cheap and readily available repellent.
9. The Tall Friend Strategy: A Humorous but Observational Tip
This last tip is presented with a touch of humor, but it’s rooted in observation. The idea is that deer flies and horse flies tend to swarm the highest point of a moving object. Therefore, walking next to a taller person might make them a more appealing target for the flies.
While not a scientifically proven repellent strategy, the “tall friend” approach is a lighthearted observation of deer fly behavior. It’s more of a joke than a practical solution, but it highlights the tendency of these flies to target higher points.
By understanding what attracts and repels deer flies, and by implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce their impact and make your outdoor experiences much more enjoyable. Whether you choose repellents, clothing strategies, or even a sticky hat, taking action is key to keeping these biting flies at bay.
