Attack of the Flies!

sirensongs

Help! It's fly season here in Himachal. Last year at the same time in Uttaranchal they got just unbearable, even at 7000 feet elevation.

Even while seated under a furiously churning fan, the flies swarm...not just on food matter, which is understandable, but round one's face, eyes, feet, and so on.

As a kid we used to use a product (some kind of salve) that kept flies away from our horses' eyes.

Does anyone have ideas for fly repellent? They are really maddening.

Thanks.

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Aishah

Tea tree oil or citronella oil are supposed to act as repellents and they are 'natural'. I remember in Oz & NZ we had these stick repellents which I think had a pyrethrum (sort of daisy) oil in them - that is supposed to be 'natural' and it is used in a lot of insect sprays but i think it might be a bit lethal. Not exactly sure. Citronella (lemon scented type) oil is available in India from medical stores, maybe tea tree. Both could help. Aerogard was the brand name in Australia that made these stick things. Inside the house take a look at the mozzie zapper post - some of the ideas can apply to flies. My sympathies are with you - they can drive you crazy! Also there is the old fashioned fly swat - plastic ones I have seen in the market in India!

Nick-H

I noticed a new repellent spray in the shop the other day: DEPA. Apparently it was developed in India, is harmless (but they say that about everything ), can be used on bedding, nets, clothes --- even skin!

But, probably the only solution to those annoying flies that settle around one's eyes and nose is a quick swipe of the tail.

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Aishah

I posted a thread 'Mozzie Zappers' but can't find it and one of the posters suggested an electric tennis racquet which I thought was very amusing. I just have to tell you I bought one today at a 'mela' in Mussoorie for 120 rupees - this would work on flies as well. What a bargain.. lightweight, it does the trick and no chemicals involved! It is rechargeable, hope it lasts.. I saw the same thing up at Prakash stores, Sisters Bazaar for 320 rupees so I think I got a good buy. Maybe look out for one of these!

Nick-H

The rackets are wonderful!

I'm not fast enough to catch flies, but they are great for mossies.

Mine is battery-powered, but 2 AAs last quite a few months.

machadinha

Mozzie zappers

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PeakXV

Are these biting flies(re: deer/horse) ..... or just annoying house flies? If house flies just choose a nice breezy area to relax - away from food and/or refuse containers (if that is possible in your Indian locale). Deer/horse flies give stinging nasty bites and require a dab or two of deet to deter safely.

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Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Sadanand Kamath

I have faced swarming flies - I repeat flies not insects - even at the height of 10000 feet plus in Har-ki-Dun valley.

It seems, global warming has forced flies to migrate to cooler places .

Sadanand

McAlpine

The salve that you used on your horses was probably something like Farnam Swat Fly Ointment. It uses pyrethrins as a repellent. I've used the ointment on horses with cuts to keep the flies away, to help it to heal. Usually we used fly masks on the heads/around the eyes.

Pyrethrins can still irritate the skin and eyes of humans, but it is less toxic than Deet.

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wonderwomanusa

One remedy sometimes used here is to fill a "zip lock" plastic bag half-full with water and tack it on your door. Something about it is supposed to work, and it's certainly worth trying to see if Indian flies will respond appropriately.

Wanderer22

Didn't Aussies string swinging corks around the brims of their bush hats to keep the flies off?

Then there's job of emptying the bottles to get the corks..

Better toss another prawn on the barbie.

W22

Nick-H

Flies here certainly don't mind the heat --- it seems to increase their numbers. We didn't have such a problem in the old house, but it was a much cleaner area here and there are many more animals here as well.

I use the UV tube insect killers. If people have been leaving doors open we can get as many as 50 mosquitoes a day, and a dozen or so flies!

Aishah

Thanks for finding mozzie zappers thread machadinha - I put those 2 words in search and nothing came up. Also not in my CP - might have mischecked or deleted it. Yes, Aussies still wear the cork flapping hats in the outback - I think they would drive our poster nuts however! Here in Landour don't seem to have too much of a fly problem - I'm interested in the waterbag idea wonderwoman. Nick I managed to kill one of those long legged flying things with my implement - it makes a terrifying crack when you score! The trick is to coordinate the press button for the electric charge just prior to swiping them I think. Mine has the batteries built in and you stick the whole thing into the wall socket - looks a bit bizarre I might add! It is supposed to last for 600 recharges - we shall see...
The UV tube idea sounds good - you can't spend all day whacking your racquet around, better things to do!