Summer Flies on the Great Lakes
 

Does anyone have a sure-fire method short of a shotgun to deal with those annoying biters? It seems that when you kill them, the blood and carnage only attracts more of the same. I have tried the fabric softener sheet, but it has no real effect. Fly traps?

Summer Flies on the Great Lakes
 

The only thing that I''ve found that really works is rubbing on a thick layer of Noxema Skin Cream on all exposed skin. Works for black flies, green heads, deer flies, gnats, etc. ... even in sub-arctic bogs, etc. Makes a sticky, gooey mess but it works..... and you have to reapply every hour or two.

Summer Flies on the Great Lakes
 

I have battled them for many years to no avail. I heard this year that spraying your boat with Yard Guard helps, though I have not yet tried that.

Summer Flies on the Great Lakes
 

One question: Are these flies a big problem? Please tell me more about your experiences

Summer Flies on the Great Lakes
 

Yes at various times of the season. They seem to be attracted to sailboats and other slow moving vessels like magnets. I certainty don''t want to spray my boat down with a pesticides. Any environmentally friendly ways you can think of to scuttle their activity would be greatly appreciated.

Summer Flies on the Great Lakes
 

We sail our CD25 out of Oswego Harbor and these flys (something like house flys with a wicked bite ) are a pain in the butt . We have found no sure fire method of detering them . We have filled the cockpit with corpses . But a good slathering of sunscreen helps some . His & hers flyswatters and 20 mph breeze is about the best though . Any other ideas ?

Summer Flies on the Great Lakes
 

Noxema skin cream. Slather it on all exposed skin. .... works for black flies, gnats and no-seeums too.