On Insects

[Riley Smith]

Ah yes, insects. They're doing their insect thing since Spring is here, and one of those things includes biting humans. A lot of insects find us delectable; mosquitos, horse flies, gnats, and my worst enemy, deer flies. Think rib-eye for you steak lovers. The gnats have had a go at it already when I was on the beach.

Now, deer flies find oak trees near an open area very attractive. You know, near grass and brush that deer might take an interest in and they tend to use them as bases to launch attacks. Sort of like Diego Garcia.It just so happens that humans in the South, for the most part, ALSO like oak trees like that for the shade they provide.Me included.

And of course it means war

Which means that I was intensely interested in that insect that did a high speed pass through my aura yesterday evening. The angle wasn't right for me to get a definite confirmation, but flight pattern and sound led me to believe the blood suckers were appearing. And two red,intensely itchy, spots near my ankle pretty much proved it to me.

Yes, it fits. Dry and hasn't rained in some time. Warm and sunny. Human flesh in shorts and a tee. On the ankles. The dry part is particularly important for one reason. The dragonflies that feed on deer flies ( and every OTHER insect) need rain to propagate. I can see they are, as yet, very rare. I love dragonflies. An enemy to my enemy makes them friends. And besides, they're fun to photograph.

I don't like DEET. I have used Beauty Berry soaked in alcohol and put in a spray bottle instead. I've also read Dog Fennel is a good anti-bite agent. The BB works good for mosquitos but I want something for those deer and horse flies. I'll keep you informed.

[Wolverine]

Flys arent bad where I live in Eastern North Carolina, neither are the mosquitoes. (compared to northern IL where I'm originally from) The ticks? Living next to woods, I have to spray myself with "YAYA" tick ban before going near them.

Except for back around 2008 when I missed 4 months of work due to a case of West Nile, mosquitoes leave me alone. I guess like Charlie the tuna, I neither have good taste or taste good to them anymore.

[Chris Muthig]

I live in Ocala National Forest, the mosquitoes are required to have FAA landing lights.  The ticks are horrible.  I've pulled 32 of them off of me in a month.  I've had 2 this month so far.  We feed corn in our yard at least weekly to keep the turkeys coming around, we had 31 turkeys in our yard on Christmas day.  The possums are married to the lady across the street from us who feeds ALL of the animals, including 4-5 bears at any given time.  Yeah, mosquitoes suck (pun intended)

[Riley Smith]

The Beauty Berry works pretty good for mosquitoes. I took the leaves and just crushed them up and soaked it in alcohol for a while before straining and bottling. Doesn't smell bad but is a little sticky. I guess you can't have everything. Right now the mosquitoes have the same problem as the dragonflies. No rain. And I don't know about ticks since we hardly ever see one. Not like at my brother's deer camp. I was sitting in a lawn chair and one FELL FROM THE TREE on me!

[Chris Muthig]

I have tons of beauty berry in my yard, probably close to 20-30 bushes.  My wife collects it up and makes jelly out of the berries, and she's made dye out of it as well.  Wasn't a huge fan of the jelly, but it was her first attempt and it wasn't bad.  I have been working on the boat and getting swarmed by C-130's aka mosquitoes, and remembered about crushing up the leaves and putting them in your pockets, that worked pretty well.  Just remember to take the leaves out of your pockets before putting your clothes in the laundry.  Don't ask me how I know.