Can you get rid of deer flies in your yard? Yes, you absolutely can! Dealing with those pesky, biting deer flies can ruin outdoor fun. They love sunny days and are especially active near water, but they don’t need to be near water to bother you in your yard. These small, dark flies can deliver a painful bite, unlike many other biting insects. If you’re asking, “How to stop deer flies biting,” you’ve come to the right place. This guide will walk you through effective strategies to control these nuisances and make your yard a more enjoyable space.
Image Source: gardenfork.tv
Why Deer Flies Are Such a Problem
Deer flies are more than just an annoyance. Their bites are sharp and can draw blood, and they can be aggressive biters. For homeowners, especially those with children or pets, controlling deer flies is about more than comfort; it’s about preventing painful encounters. They are drawn to the carbon dioxide we exhale, body heat, and dark moving objects. This makes it hard to escape them once they’ve decided your yard is their feeding ground.
Attracting and Repelling Deer Flies: What You Need to Know
To effectively combat deer flies, we first need to grasp what draws them in and what makes them stay away.
The Allure of Your Yard to Deer Flies
- Carbon Dioxide: Like many flying insects, deer flies detect the CO2 we breathe out. This is a primary signal that a potential meal is nearby.
- Body Heat: Warmer bodies are more attractive. This is why they might seem to zero in on you when you’re active or on a warm day.
- Movement: Dark, moving objects catch their eye. This can include people, pets, and even certain lawn equipment.
- Color: Dark colors, especially black, blue, and dark green, tend to attract them more than lighter colors.
- Proximity to Breeding Grounds: While not always visible, deer flies often breed in moist environments like marshy areas, tall grasses, or near streams. If your yard borders such areas, you’re more likely to see them.
What Deer Flies Dislike
- Strong Scents: Many strong natural scents can mask human odors or be outright repellent to them.
- Certain Surfaces: They can be deterred by specific textures or materials.
- Absence of Food Sources: If their preferred food sources (blood) are unavailable, they are less likely to congregate.
Strategies for Controlling Deer Flies Outdoors
Controlling deer flies outdoors requires a multi-pronged approach. We’ll cover everything from physical barriers to natural repellents and targeted control methods.
1. Physical Barriers and Habitat Modification
Sometimes, the best defense is making your yard less appealing or accessible.
Modifying Your Landscape
- Mow Your Lawn Regularly: Keep grass trimmed. Overgrown grass can be a resting place and even a breeding ground for some types of flies.
- Clear Debris: Remove leaf litter, compost piles, and rotting vegetation. While deer flies don’t typically breed in this, it can harbor other insects that might indirectly attract them or simply make your yard a more welcoming place for pests.
- Improve Drainage: Standing water is a common attractant for many insects, though deer flies prefer moist soil and vegetation more than open water. Ensuring good drainage can help minimize the appeal of your yard to a broader range of pests.
Personal Protection
- Wear Light-Colored Clothing: Since dark colors attract them, opting for lighter shades when spending time outdoors can help.
- Cover Up: Wear long sleeves, long pants, and hats, especially during peak deer fly activity times (usually late morning to late afternoon). Tuck pants into socks.
- Use Head Nets: For severe infestations or when working in heavily affected areas, a fine-mesh head net can be a lifesaver.
2. Trapping Deer Flies
Deer fly traps are an excellent way to reduce the population in your yard. They work by mimicking the preferred targets of deer flies.
Types of Deer Fly Traps
-
The Classic Ball Trap: This is one of the most popular and effective homemade and commercially available options. It typically consists of:
- A Dark Sphere: Often a dark-colored coated foam ball (like a large Styrofoam ball painted dark brown or black) or even a dark-colored tetherball. This mimics a mammal’s body.
- A Sticky Coating: A non-toxic, sticky insect trap coating is applied to the ball. This coating traps flies that land on the ball.
- A Bucket or Funnel System: The ball is suspended above a wide-mouthed bucket, often with a cone-shaped funnel placed over it. When a fly lands on the ball and gets stuck, or tries to fly away and misses, it can fall into the bucket.
- Attractants (Optional): Sometimes, bait like dry ice (to produce CO2) or specific fly attractants can be placed near (not on) the sticky traps to draw more flies in.
-
Funnel Traps: These traps use a design that directs insects into a container through a funnel, making escape difficult. They can be used with attractants.
How to Set Up and Use Deer Fly Traps
- Placement is Key: Hang traps in areas where deer flies are most active. This is typically in sunny spots, near the edge of wooded areas, gardens, or patios. Place them at about human head height.
- Multiple Traps: Using several traps around the perimeter of your yard will be more effective than just one.
- Regular Maintenance: Check the traps regularly. Reapply the sticky coating as needed, and empty the collection container. Dead flies can accumulate, reducing effectiveness.
Table 1: Deer Fly Trap Considerations
| Feature | Description | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|
| Ball Trap | Dark sphere with sticky coating, often with a funnel/bucket system. | High, effectively targets and captures deer flies. |
| Sticky Surface | Non-toxic adhesive applied to traps. | Crucial for capture. Needs regular reapplication or replacement. |
| Placement | Sunny areas, near activity zones, at head height. | Maximizes encounters with deer flies. |
| Maintenance | Regular checks, cleaning, reapplication of sticky coating, emptying collection. | Essential for sustained effectiveness. |
| Cost | Can range from DIY (low cost) to commercial kits (moderate cost). | DIY can be very economical for large yards. |
3. Natural Deer Fly Repellents
For those who prefer to avoid chemicals, natural deer fly repellents offer a promising alternative. These often work by masking your scent or emitting odors that deer flies find unpleasant.
Essential Oils for Deer Flies
Many essential oils for deer flies have shown repellent properties. When diluted and applied to skin or clothing, they can create a protective barrier.
- Citronella Oil: A well-known insect repellent.
- Peppermint Oil: Its strong scent can be off-putting to many insects.
- Eucalyptus Oil: Particularly lemon eucalyptus oil, is recognized for its repellent qualities.
- Lavender Oil: A pleasant scent for humans, but can deter some insects.
- Lemongrass Oil: Similar to citronella in its repellent capabilities.
- Tea Tree Oil: Known for its antiseptic and insect-repelling properties.
How to Use Essential Oils:
- Dilution is Crucial: Never apply pure essential oils directly to your skin. Mix a few drops with a carrier oil (like coconut oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil) or water. A common ratio is 10-20 drops of essential oil per ounce of carrier.
- Spray or Rub: You can put the diluted mixture in a spray bottle for easy application on skin, clothing, or around outdoor seating areas. Alternatively, you can rub the diluted oil onto exposed skin.
- Reapplication: Natural repellents tend to evaporate faster than synthetic ones, so reapply every few hours, especially if you’re sweating or in a high-activity area.
Homemade Deer Fly Repellent Recipes
Creating a homemade deer fly repellent can be cost-effective and tailored to your preferences.
- Vinegar-Based Sprays: Many find that apple cider vinegar or white vinegar can deter flies.
- Recipe: Mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. You can add a few drops of your chosen essential oils for extra power. Spray on clothing and around outdoor spaces.
- Garlic Spray for Deer Flies: The strong smell of garlic is a potent repellent.
- Recipe: Blend 2-3 cloves of garlic with a cup of water. Let it sit for a few hours, then strain the mixture and add it to a spray bottle. You can add a little liquid soap to help it stick. While effective, be aware that the smell can be strong!
- Witch Hazel Base: Witch hazel can act as a good base for essential oil sprays, offering a lighter scent than vinegar.
- Recipe: Mix 1/2 cup witch hazel with 1/2 cup distilled water. Add 15-20 drops of essential oils (e.g., citronella, peppermint, eucalyptus). Shake well before each use.
Important Note: Always do a patch test on a small area of skin or fabric before widespread application to ensure no adverse reactions.
4. Insecticidal Approaches (Use with Caution)
When natural methods aren’t enough, or for severe infestations, chemical options might be considered. Controlling deer flies outdoors can sometimes involve targeted insecticide use.
Insecticidal Soap for Deer Flies
Insecticidal soap for deer flies can be effective against them if you can get direct contact. It works by breaking down the insect’s outer protective layer, leading to dehydration.
- How it Works: The fatty acids in insecticidal soaps disrupt the cell membranes of soft-bodied insects like flies.
- Application: It’s best applied as a direct spray to the insects themselves, or on surfaces where they rest. It’s less effective as a residual barrier.
- DIY Option: You can make a simple insecticidal soap by mixing 1 tablespoon of pure liquid soap (like castile soap) with 1 quart of water. Spray directly onto flies.
Permethrin for Deer Flies
Permethrin for deer flies is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide. It’s highly effective and commonly used in outdoor pest control.
- How it Works: Permethrin acts on the nervous system of insects, causing paralysis and death. It can be applied to vegetation, outdoor structures, and even clothing (look for permethrin-treated clothing).
- Application: It’s typically available as a liquid concentrate that needs to be diluted with water and applied with a sprayer. Follow label instructions carefully.
- Considerations: Permethrin is toxic to aquatic life, so avoid spraying near water bodies. It can also be harmful to beneficial insects like bees if applied directly to flowering plants when they are active. Use it judiciously and target areas where deer flies are most problematic.
Other Chemical Control Methods
- Larvicides: While deer flies typically breed in moist soil and vegetation rather than standing water, in some very specific situations, larvicides might be considered for breeding areas. However, this is rarely the primary method for yard control.
- Adulticides: Outdoor foggers or residual sprays can kill adult deer flies. However, these are often broad-spectrum and can harm beneficial insects. They are usually a last resort or for special events.
Preventing Deer Fly Infestations
The best way to deal with deer flies is to prevent them from becoming a problem in the first place. Preventing deer fly infestations involves a combination of the strategies mentioned above.
Creating an Uninviting Environment
- Regular Yard Maintenance: As mentioned, keeping your lawn mowed and debris cleared reduces potential resting and breeding spots.
- Water Management: While deer flies don’t breed in open water, damp, shaded areas can be attractive. Improving drainage where possible can make your yard less appealing overall.
- Strategic Planting: Some plants are known to repel insects. While not a guaranteed solution for deer flies, incorporating plants like marigolds, citronella grass, lavender, or mint around your patio or seating areas might offer a minor benefit.
Early Detection and Intervention
- Monitor Activity: Keep an eye on when deer flies start appearing in your area each season. Usually, they emerge in late spring or early summer.
- Deploy Traps Early: Set up your deer fly traps before the population gets too large. Early intervention can significantly reduce the number of flies throughout the season.
- Regular Repellent Use: If you know deer flies are an issue in your area, start using natural deer fly repellents or personal protection methods before you venture outside.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: When are deer flies most active?
A1: Deer flies are most active during daylight hours, particularly from late morning to late afternoon. They prefer sunny, warm, and humid conditions. They are less active on cloudy, windy, or cool days.
Q2: Can deer flies spread diseases?
A2: While their bites are painful and can cause allergic reactions in some individuals, deer flies are not known to transmit diseases to humans in most regions. However, they can transmit diseases to animals, such as tularemia.
Q3: How far away can deer flies travel?
A3: Deer flies can travel considerable distances, often several miles from their breeding sites, especially when seeking food sources. This means even if you don’t have obvious breeding grounds in your immediate yard, you can still experience infestations.
Q4: Are deer fly traps safe for pets and children?
A4: Most deer fly traps that use sticky coatings and dark balls are generally safe when placed out of reach of pets and young children. Ensure any sticky substances used are non-toxic. If using chemical lures or attractants with traps, always follow manufacturer instructions regarding placement and safety. Permethrin-based products should be used with extreme caution around pets and children, ensuring they do not come into contact with treated areas until dry.
Q5: How often should I reapply natural repellents?
A5: Natural deer fly repellents typically need reapplication every 1-3 hours, depending on the ingredients and environmental conditions (like sweat, wind, or water exposure). Essential oil-based repellents can evaporate quickly.
Q6: What is the best time of year to control deer flies?
A6: The peak season for deer flies is typically late spring through summer. Control efforts are most effective when started early in the season, just as they begin to emerge, to prevent population buildup.
Q7: Can I use insecticidal soap on my garden plants?
A7: Yes, most insecticidal soaps are safe for use on plants, as they break down quickly and leave little residue. However, always check the product label. Avoid spraying during the hottest part of the day, as it can scorch leaves. Test on a small area first.
By implementing a combination of these strategies, you can significantly reduce the deer fly population in your yard and reclaim your outdoor spaces. Remember, consistency and a multi-faceted approach are key to effectively controlling deer flies outdoors and preventing deer fly infestations.