Horse flies are eating me alive

[Mikey]

Seriously, I'm in need of some old wives tales, or some witches brews, I'll let you decide which you are.

I took the mutt for a walk up the forest yesterday evening and got bitten 8 times in 40 minutes, I've as good as given up the will to live. 4 times on my feet and they have been in socks and shoes all day. It been like having a feather tickling me all day, I want to scratch!!!!!

Is there anything out there to deter the little blighters, I'm not sure whether to take it as a compliment or not. I'm either incredibly desirable, or my behind sticks out too much...

HELP

[Florence Fennel]

On one site Mikey for prevention it recommends "when entering a site with horseflies, wear a long sleeved shirt and pant". I wonder what the panting does? It also recommends garlic, so perhaps you should wear a string of garlic round your neck at all times I'm an old wife, but I haven't got any tales for this one. Just don't scratch, you'll make it even worse.

[taff]

avon skin so soft?

[Mikey]

Thanks FF that made me chuckle. I must give off something alluring, perhaps I'm actually part horse. I know I've eaten quite a few burgers in my life so I guess its possible.....

Last year was the worst, the OH remembers visiting a National Trust garden and walking around a big pond, then seeing me run off like a demented Tasmanian Devil. That was the worst I can recall, I had 5 or 6 on me at all times, and wherever I swatted it only distracted my attention from the rest.

Lots of clothes really isn't an option I'd overheat.

[Nicos]

There is a plant you need to wear..bit like elderfower perhaps ( old grey cells are oscillating a tad ) ...will try and check it out!!!

[chefgage]

seem to remember seeing on the tv some king/prince?? that used to pay someone to cover themselves in jam/honey and then walk around with them. This meant that the flies would bother the jam person instead.

Do you know anybody willing to do this?

[Nicos]

OK...I was correct about elder flower- but that has a limited time use...have a look at this...
Home Remedy: Horsefly Repellent for Humans | eHow UK

there are loads of other links...It'd be interesting to see what other natural products peeps have found work.

I have been a horse rider for more than 30 yrs and the sight of a horsefly still grabs my attention big style

[Mr Bones]

Can't say how good this is medically but it does work. Mix a drop of washing up liquid with sugar until it makes a stiff white paste and apply it to bites to take out the itch.
For a preventative rub maybe try neat lime juice.
With Avon skin-so-soft, I heard it was only the forest fern/glade dry oil that worked (now discontinued as far as I know). The other fragrances do work in as much as smaller flies get stuck in the oil, don't how much it would take to trap a horse fly though.

[Nicos]

With Avon skin-so-soft, I heard it was only the forest fern/glade dry oil that worked (now discontinued as far as I know).

Was that the original scent????

Our daughter took the original one to the Amazon when she worked there and said it was the best thing bar sitting next to a cigarette smoker!

Has it REALLY been discontinued- or sold on to another company????

[Hazel at the Hill]

Was that the original scent????

Our daughter took the original one to the Amazon when she worked there and said it was the best thing bar sitting next to a cigarette smoker!

Has it REALLY been discontinued- or sold on to another company????

Can't vouch for the efficacy or otherwise against biting things of today's Avon SSS, but they have changed the formulation. Mum was an Avon lady when I was little, and she always had a drop in the bath. I bought some years later, and it's not the same smell at all.

[Glutton4...]

The @v0n SSS dry oil is the best, but only the green one (they do pink too). I carry at least one in my car all the time, as I get bitten a lot. I am also allergic to stings, so tend to be very wary. I have found, since taking prescription antihistamine (Fexofenadine hydrochloride) daily, I get less attention from the bleepers, and hardly any reaction - even nettle rash goes in a day instead of a week.

Several years ago Zazen recommended those little piezo-electric 'zappers' for reducing the sting (it tricks the brain into thinking it was an electric shock, and stops the histamine production - somehow!) and I have to say they work quite well too.

Some of the outdoor clothing companies produce a Mozzies repellant trouser, and possibly shirt, too, I would guess, but I can't remember which one (It's called mozilife, or something).

Hope that helps you, you tasty boy!

[Bal]

OH got bitten in his belly button whilst in the garden, all bittey, stingy creatures love him, but generally leave me alone.

[Kirk]

seem to remember seeing on the tv some king/prince?? that used to pay someone to cover themselves in jam/honey and then walk around with them. This meant that the flies would bother the jam person instead.

Do you know anybody willing to do this?

You're in Wales, VC is in Wales, the answer to "do you know anyone willing" appears obvious.
If I can have a picture I might even supply the jam.

[mothhawk]

Here's a recipe I used to make up to put on our ponies during the summer, and on me too. it is dual-purpose, being both fly repellent and sunscreen, delicate enough to put on grey (white) ponies delicate bits, like nose and around the eyes.

6 tablespoons sesame oil
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
a few drops lavender oil

Pour all ingredients into a bottle and shake vigorously until emulsifed, or use an electric blender. It will smell like mayonnaise but once on your skin it just smells of lavender, and really keeps flies away.

There is the issue of course, Mikey, of you being a bloke and perhaps not wanting to pong of lavender, but, heyho, it's not a perfect world

NB - don't substitute other oils, or you will fry, only olive and sesame seem to protect against the sun.

[Glutton4...]

Oh that's a new one on me, Mothhawk, sounds worth a try.

I bought a recipe on the 'Bay many years ago, and use a variation of it on the Horses, to this day. I say variation, as I've lost the original. It is based on a tea made from elder leaves - plenty of those around! Some more tea made from your old tea bags - save 'em up for a week. Some washing up liquid to make it stick, and a few drops of citronella oil. I don't have any citronella oil, so I made all the rest, and made another infusion with all the slices of lemon and lime from my G&T, saved up for a while.

When cold, they were all strained (wrung out!) and mixed together. I store it in plastic milk bottles, and dilute as required - usually about 1:10 parts water. Just have a go, and see what works.