Battling Deer Flies: A Homeowner's Guide - The Rike

Dealing with deer flies can be a pain, but if you know what to do and how to do it, you can control their appearance in your home and surrounding areas. Let's look at the different ways to understand and get rid of deer flies.

Figuring Out What Draws Deer Flies In
Why they want to be with us
Like mosquitoes, deer flies are drawn to certain things about people. These include the carbon dioxide we breathe out, our body heat, the way we move, and even the dark clothes we wear. It's interesting that they usually go for the largest moving thing nearby.

How to Dress Smartly and Have Fun Outside
Wearing light-colored clothes can help you avoid their attention. If you're outside, especially on a porch, a fan can help keep these flies away. Protecting your head and limiting the amount of skin that is visible can also help.

Where to Find Deer Flies and What Time of Year It Is
Deer flies are not just annoying; they have favorite places to live. They lay their eggs in wet places like swamps and marshes. But you can also often find them near animals, camps, and open fields


Time of Year Peaks
Deer flies are most common in most of the United States and Canada. They are most active in June and July.

What You Need to Know About Deer Flies
Who Doesn't Bite and Who Does
The female deer flies are after your blood, which is why their bites hurt. Males, on the other hand, eat plant juice and pollen. Horse flies go for the legs, while deer flies most often go for the head and upper body.

Figuring out How Big and Strong They Are
About a quarter to a third of an inch long, deer flies aren't very big. The anticoagulant in their saliva makes cuts bleed for longer and could cause allergy reactions in some people.

Smart ways to keep deer flies away based on height
Stories about my own experiences with deer flies
A lot of people get annoyed by deer flies, especially when they're outside doing things like mowing the lawn. They often go for the head, going around and irritating it.


New ideas that worked in the past
My husband learned this cool trick when he was a Boy Scout. Many deer flies lived in the swamps, so their guide put a wet plant on his hat to keep the flies away. We changed this plan by putting peacock feathers on a hat. This worked to keep the flies away from the head.

Natural Ways to Keep Deer Flies Away
Chemical repellents have had mixed results.
Natural bug repellents based on essential oils are another choice to think about. DEET-based repellents have mixed results when it comes to deer flies.

How to Make Your Own Essential Oil Repellent
Eucalyptus, basil, lavender, peppermint, lemongrass, citronella, rosemary, thyme, and tea tree oil are all useful essential oils. Alcohol or witch hazel mixed with essential oil should be put in a spray bottle. Distilled water should then be added on top. Don't forget to shake it up before each use, and be careful around kids when using some oils.

Integrated Methods for Getting Rid of Deer Flies
Trouble with Control
Getting rid of all deer bugs is hard, but it's possible with some careful planning, especially if you want to avoid using strong chemicals.

Cutting down on breeding grounds
To get to the root of the problem, you need to go after the places where they breed. By getting rid of standing water and keeping your yard in good shape, you cut down on their environment. A good way to keep pests under control is to encourage natural enemies like frogs, toads, spiders, and some birds.

Deer fly traps that work
Deer flies can be caught in a number of different types of traps. Hat patches that stick on are a popular and easy option. For better control, bigger sticky traps can be put near buildings, stables, or camping.

By using these tips and ideas, you'll be able to deal with deer flies more easily, so you can enjoy your home and outdoor areas with fewer bothersome bugs.