Photo courtesy J.L. Castner, University of Florida
It’s that time of year again, and those nasty yellow flies are here… here are some tips for armoring yourself
In Florida, the name “yellow fly” is used to describe about a dozen different species of yellow-bodied biting flies. “Yellow flies” readily attack man and are usually abundant in Florida with peak annoyance occurring in May and June. “Yellow flies” are in the family known as Tabanidae. All tabanids go through an egg, larva, pupa and adult stage, referred to as “complete metamorphosis,” the same development process that mosquitoes go through. Tabanids lay egg masses containing 50 to several hundred eggs. Most species deposit their eggs around ponds, streams or swamps on overhanging vegetation such as grasses or cattails.
Yellow flies congregate in shaded, humid areas on the edges of forests, rivers and creeks, avoiding large, open, sunny areas. Some species are active in the early morning while other species are more active in the late afternoon.
However, depending upon conditions such as heavy tree canopy, cloudy days or when an animal is moving through an area, yellow flies can become active and bothersome throughout the day. “Yellow flies” prefer to attack man about the head, neck or shoulders, however, any exposed part of the body may be attacked.
Their persistence to obtain a bloodmeal, once a host is found, can make 5 or 6 flies unbearable. Sometimes the use of the old-fashioned fly swatter will give relief by taking out the few flies in an area.
What to do
A trapping method homeowners can use, which does not involve the use of pesticides, is called the “sticky black ball” trap. Basically it is a beach ball, (milk jugs work just as well and are easier to hang) painted black and coated with a sticky substance. The sticky substance is called Tangle-Trap and comes in a spray or liquid applicator. It can be found at local Ace Hardware stores.
These devices are hung from a tree limb using string, in a shaded area, about 4 feet above the ground. Movement of the ball by the wind attracts the flies, thinking it is an animal, they land, get stuck, and die on the ball. Several of these balls will reduce the local adult populations.
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South Walton Mosquito Control District will provide a ball and instructions so residents can make more if he or she feels they are effective for their situation. For more information, call (850) 267-2112.
Vegetation management
By removing underbrush around a residence, helps to eliminate resting sites for the flies and increases light levels making the area less attractive.
Bite and sting relief
Here is a general purpose sting relief for yellow flies. It is also helpful for mosquito, chigger and jellyfish bites.
1 tsp. baking soda
1/3 cup ammonia (Windex is mostly ammonia)
1/3 tsp. papain (meat tenderizer)
1 crushed aspirin
Mix thoroughly and store in refrigerator (be sure to label container). When needed, shake well and apply with cotton swab, and rub briskly.
Personal protective measures include the use of repellants containing DEET (diethyl metatoluamide) applied to exposed skin. Wearing physical barriers such as a head net, long sleeve shirts and long pants are effective protection if you must be out in areas where “yellow fly” populations are high. Permethrin containing products labeled for application to clothing only, can also be effective in repelling and killing “yellow flies”. Thankfully, “yellow fly” season is relatively short, one maybe two months, and then mosquitoes become our major pest.
Information courtesy South Walton Mosquito Control.
Other methods locals have used with some success:
Witchazel
Preparation H with aloe if put on bite immediately helps relieve itching and swelling
Cortisone cream
Posted under Home/Garden
This post was written by Walton Outdoors on April 26, 2010
When the yellow flies bite do they become super swollen and then turn into blisters? I have been severly bitten all over my feet and lower legs. My legs resemble chicken pox. I have been using an over the counter relief of chiggerex and benidryl and sleeping pills at night. I have been popping the blisters 6-7 times a day. They are filled with clear sticky pus. Do you know how long it will take to heal???
We are not able to provide advice, however personally I would suggest seeing your doctor if it persists. I would continue to apply Benadryl and not scratch or reopen the blisters.
The bites I have gotten have swollen up pretty big and if you scratch them often then they can blister. Otherwise I am not sure. They do annoy me to death though and seem to last and itch forever!
ok yes i hav a 4 yellow fly bites on my knee that is very annoying and has blistered and the size of a quarter and if not it is bigger-watch out for yellow flies-then i have another one that is about an inch away from the other one and is penny sized-i think i might be allergic but i just moved to where i lived and this is the first time i have seen them and they are really annoying and lots of people are allergic even if you might not know you are so watch out for them becuz they really hurt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have tried many things to find something to help ease the pain and suffering of insect bites, most importantly the yellow fly. Found it! It is in most everyones med’ cabinet, it is any muscle rub, Flexall, Bengay, or Vicks. It works the best when applied ASAP, I try to use it within the first hour but usually get it on within a few minutes. The itch will remain for 8-10 minutes, but i use to have swelling for days, no longer. Try it.
think you for tell me about yellow flys
yes yellow flys do bite you and it hurts!!! will i was at camp a lot of yellow flys where ever ware when. i got bite and i saw it and i now know what a yellow fly is if you ware off it will still bite you i did it befor will tack to you later
I was bitten 2 days ago by one yellow fly and the bastard got me twice. On my right knee and left elbow while napping in my lounger outside. Unless you see them, you won’t even know you were bit. They land on you softer than a feather and their bite is hardly felt. But I did get the bastard with a fly swatter and my blood splattered out of it like red paint. The bites began to welt up in about 10-15 mins and got worse with time. It’s been 2 days now and no relief from the swelling,oozing,itching and heat from those 2 bites. Hydro-Cordazone gives some temp relief but no for long..
I get bit / stung several times a year. I have found that an ice cube applied immediately helps. I use Lanicane right away also. I have had bites swell up to the size of a grapefruit! Ice brings down the swelling and reduces the itch. Lanicane keeps the itch bearable. DON’T SCRATCH!!! They become infected very easy! If you DO get infected (as I have), a good home remedy is….and you may think this is nasty….take tobacco and your saliva and mix together and let sit a few minutes. Apply as a poltice and cover with a adhesive bandage. This will draw the poison of the infection out and will help it heal. Your own saliva is the best antiseptic for you! I have also found that burning a mosquito coil KILLS YELLOW FLIES!! If you can stand the smell!! Good luck!!
Has anyone figured out how to kill these things? The only thing that worked for me was campho-phenic. It’s usually in the 1st aide aisle in a small yellow box. I had tried everything short of setting myself on fire and nothing worked. The campho-phenic actually dried the bumps up, stopped the itching & accelerated the healing. It also has an anesthetic to stop the pain. It worked wonders for me, hope it helps y’all as well. Just fyi: I started seeing results within the 1st day I used it. Good luck.
I treat them just like chiggers. I get as much fluid, toxins out as possible and clean it well with soap and water. Then coat it with clear polish it burns, and I don’t know if its the right way to treat, but it goes away in a couple days and stops the itch. I was told by a neighbor that watched Doctor Oz, to use Listerine as a repellent, it seems to work but you need to reapply after you sweat or go in the pool. I would check with a doctor first before trying my relief. Hope this helps.
I was bitten by the yellow fly in my home. I thought that it was a bee, I did not know about the yellow fly. I tried many different remedies and nothing seemed to help stop the itching and pain. As a last resort I massaged the area with Hand Sanitizer and much to my delight it worked. The Hand Sanitizer has Vitamin E and Aloe in it. You can buy it in the Dollar Tree or any store in Florida. Hope it helps.