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Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:15 am
by Cirrus_Minor
Never seen as many horse flies as I have seen this summer. I have been bitten twice, Mrs CM is a martyr to numerous bites and one of the grand kids had a bite that caused her arm to swell and needed antibiotics.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:18 am
by claretburns
Got a bite on Friday when doing some gardening, been itching ever since!
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:20 am
by bfcjg
Occupational hazard in Blackburn.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:26 am
by kentonclaret
The smell of Citronella oil and Citronella candles will act as a deterrent to horse flies.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:32 am
by clarets12
Definitely something to complain about.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:38 am
by Rowls
Nasty little critters.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:43 am
by Rileybobs
Awful things. I was on holiday in Tuscany a couple of years ago and it was impossible to walk the half mile from the accommodation to the main road without coming under constant attack. My understanding is that they don’t land on you to bite, they take a chunk out of you whilst on the move making them hard to swat away.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 12:00 pm
by Quickenthetempo
Horrible little things. Last 3 years they have been a lot more noticeable around here.
Skin so soft repels them for me.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 12:02 pm
by beddie
Nasty little buggers. You can end up with a horrible blister. It’s just the right weather for them unfortunately
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 12:19 pm
by SlidingTackle
Clegs, please.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 12:22 pm
by NottsClaret
I never used to react to bug bites but after a couple of bad ones in the last few years I’ve started using that ‘Jungle Spray’ off Amazon. I think it might be banned in some countries but you can get it here.. nothing has even landed on me since, it’s good stuff.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 1:18 pm
by beddie
NottsClaret wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2023 12:22 pm
I never used to react to bug bites but after a couple of bad ones in the last few years I’ve started using that ‘Jungle Spray’ off Amazon. I think it might be banned in some countries but you can get it here.. nothing has even landed on me since, it’s good stuff.
Thanks Notts. I’ve ordered some off Amazon. Watch the price go up shortly due to demand.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 1:44 pm
by Duffer_
I caught one feeding on my forearm. Squashed it and got a fair amount of blood on my hand - presumably mine. I bought some deet free spray from Amazon yesterday but maybe should have got myself a 'bigger boat' with that Jungle Formula!
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 2:42 pm
by Shaggy
Get the smokingmidge stuff. Maybe a little awkward going for a stroll but if you are laid down in the park, or doing the gardening or a spot of fishing it’s by far the best iv ever used to repel nasty flying bugs.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 3:04 pm
by aclaretinstevenage
kentonclaret wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:26 am
The smell of Citronella oil and Citronella candles will act as a deterrent to horse flies.
Citronella wrist bands my wife bought from Amazon worked wonders on Mozzies in Cuba - I know they worked because I left them off on the last night there and got bitten mercilessly having had no bites the previous 10 nights!
Feel sure they would work on Horse Flies.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 3:18 pm
by kentonclaret
aclaretinstevenage wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2023 3:04 pm
Citronella wrist bands my wife bought from Amazon worked wonders on Mozzies in Cuba - I know they worked because I left them off on the last night there and got bitten mercilessly having had no bites the previous 10 nights!
Feel sure they would work on Horse Flies.
For sure they work on Horse Flies. I always keep a small pot of cotton wool balls sprinkled with Citronella oil in my bedroom during the summer months to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes or horse flies during the night.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 5:49 pm
by PaintYorkClaretnBlue
I’m on my second course of antibiotics for three horsefly bites, turned into cellulitis now!
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 6:07 pm
by elwaclaret
I avoid the outside in the evenings in summer as much as possible… it stops those lovely evenings sitting out and chilling (which I love abroad) but if I do it here I look like I’ve been used as a target for shortsighted paintballers. I refuse to use antibiotics for bites. I find that a liberal application of Sadacrem and a lint plaster overnight draws the gunk in a couple of days then I’m just left with a a bright red blotch that will eventually fade to a small scar… but at least gets rid of the irritation.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 6:15 pm
by Jel
I got bitten by one a few years ago in Abersoch. Local chemists could prescribe an antibiotic cream which eventually worked after my ankle had blistered and doubled in size, down to my foot.
Then 2 weeks ago I got bitten on the elbow, my arm swelled from the armpit to my hand. I had to go to hospital where I was on an antibiotic drip for 3 hours. A week later and a course of capsules, it's just about right again.
I normally use Avon Skin so soft, but hadn't thought to use it that day.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 6:27 pm
by kentonclaret
elwaclaret wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2023 6:07 pm
I avoid the outside in the evenings in summer as much as possible… it stops those lovely evenings sitting out and chilling (which I love abroad) but if I do it here I look like I’ve been used as a target for shortsighted paintballers. I refuse to use antibiotics for bites. I find that a liberal application of Sadacrem and a lint plaster overnight draws the gunk in a couple of days then I’m just left with a a bright red blotch that will eventually fade to a small scar… but at least gets rid of the irritation.
You can still sit outside and enjoy the summer evenings so long as you take some preventative measures. Burning a Citronella candle (widely available from many retail outlets) on a nearby table will keep horseflies and mosquitoes out of the vicinity.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 6:29 pm
by HollandsPies
It's only the females wot bite.
I use a bit of DDT which tends to keep them away.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 6:33 pm
by Taffy on the wing
Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2023 12:00 pm
Horrible little things. Last 3 years they have been a lot more noticeable around here.
Skin so soft repels them for me.
I use that for Mozzies over here....works great.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 6:35 pm
by Taffy on the wing
PaintYorkClaretnBlue wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2023 5:49 pm
I’m on my second course of antibiotics for three horsefly bites, turned into cellulitis now!
Same happened to my Mum last year......nasty business!
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 7:52 pm
by PaintYorkClaretnBlue
Taffy on the wing wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2023 6:35 pm
Same happened to my Mum last year......nasty business!
Both the 111 operator and the doc that I spoke to said that they are particularly nasty this year.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 8:01 pm
by Clovius Boofus
I cannot use Skin So Soft in hot weather. It makes me overheat when out hiking. I tend to use a Deet spray repellent like Jungle Formula.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 8:12 pm
by BennyD
For a moment I thought Pegasus had become a reality.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 8:14 pm
by dougcollins
Taffy on the wing wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2023 6:33 pm
I use that for Mozzies over here....works great.
As an angler, I've found 'Skin so soft' has a pretty much 100% success rate against midges, but I'm not finding it anywhere near as effective against some of the mosquitoes we're now encountering in the uk.
It works by forming a physical barrier, and to be honest, the larger mozzies just ignore it. The ones with the banded light and dark abdomen-which are the biggest I encounter - just act like it's not there.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 8:19 pm
by Woodleyclaret
Toothpaste or bicarbonate of soda made into a thick paste works on stings or bites
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 8:47 pm
by Taffy on the wing
dougcollins wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2023 8:14 pm
As an angler, I've found 'Skin so soft' has a pretty much 100% success rate against midges, but I'm not finding it anywhere near as effective against some of the mosquitoes we're now encountering in the uk.
It works by forming a physical barrier, and to be honest, the larger mozzies just ignore it. The ones with the banded light and dark abdomen-which are the biggest I encounter - just act like it's not there.
I didn't know there were Mozzies in England.....When i got to Los Angeles in '84 there were none.
We now have 32 different kinds
Globalization!
I use the skin so soft Picaridin wipes, they work great.
Mind you, we recently have a new type which bite during the day
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 8:59 pm
by Bosscat
Taffy on the wing wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2023 8:47 pm
I didn't know there were Mozzies in England.....When i got to Los Angeles in '84 there were none.
We now have 32 different kinds
Globalization!
I use the skin so soft Picaridin wipes, they work great.
Mind you, we recently have a new type which bite during the day
Apparently in London there is a specific type of Mosquito on the London Underground ... Only learned that watching Gary Linekers Quiz Show tonight
- Screenshot_20230625_205814_Chrome.jpg (111.04 KiB) Viewed 3381 times
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2023 9:30 pm
by kentonclaret
Bosscat wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2023 8:59 pm
Apparently in London there is a specific type of Mosquito on the London Underground ... Only learned that watching Gary Linekers Quiz Show tonight Screenshot_20230625_205814_Chrome.jpg
“MIND THE GNAT”
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 12:27 am
by yTib
clarets12 wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:32 am
Definitely something to complain about.
definitely another muchacho.
how are you still allowed on this?
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 7:49 am
by JohnMac
PaintYorkClaretnBlue wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2023 5:49 pm
I’m on my second course of antibiotics for three horsefly bites, turned into cellulitis now!
Nasty!
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 7:50 am
by clarets12
yTib wrote: ↑Mon Jun 26, 2023 12:27 am
definitely another muchacho.
how are you still allowed on this?
How are you still breathing?
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 10:01 am
by Venkys4eva
Worse year ever for the little b******s! They seem to love me too, I got bitten by 5 at once on a walk last week. I bought some insect repellent and so far so good.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2023 4:39 pm
by blackburnturfite
bfcjg wrote: ↑Sun Jun 25, 2023 11:20 am
Occupational hazard in Blackburn.
One measure, £4 dettol/4water, got this tip off a lady who always rides horses, i walk a lot thru fields and woods, keep a mixture in car,, never been bitten since!
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2023 4:15 pm
by bfcjg
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2023 7:31 pm
by IanMcL
Evidently, prolonged hor weather and some wind, has brought them in! Antiseptic and ice pack recommended as initial treatment.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2023 7:59 pm
by Lowbankclaret
Jungle formula keeps them away, us fisherfolk, swim in it at times.
Re: Horse flies
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2023 9:17 pm
by BennyD
Venkys4eva wrote: ↑Mon Jun 26, 2023 10:01 am
Worse year ever for the little b******s! They seem to love me too, I got bitten by 5 at once on a walk last week. I bought some insect repellent and so far so good.
Work harder, and buy a car. There’s no need to walk these days, it can be bad for your health.
