Buzz Off, Beach Flies! Expert Advice for Keeping Flies from Ruining Your Beach Time
When you plan a day at the beach, you may pack sunscreen, chairs, snacks and beverages to keep you cool in the heat. You get everything set up and start to relax, and then it happens: a painful bug bite when you least expect it. Unfortunately, you aren't the only one who looks forward to a seaside visit: biting flies also come out to feast on unsuspecting beachgoers. What are biting beach flies, and why are they so determined to ruin your good time? MosquitoNix® explains what attracts these pests and how to get rid of beach flies before they send you running for cover.
What to Know About Beach Flies
Biting flies at the beach fall into two main categories. First, you have the tiny ones that go by several names, including sand flies, biting midges or no-see-ums. These little nippers are common along the southern coastline, but they are not alone. The other main kinds of biting insects are beach or horse flies, and their bite packs a wallop. Unlike biting midges, horse flies resemble house flies, but they tend to be much larger and have green heads.
Beach flies love a warm, humid environment, and tidal flats, marshes and dunes have it all: warmth, safety, water and a stable food source, humans. They tend to be most active during the day, around the same time you and your family want to enjoy a day at the beach. Biting flies are attracted to the carbon dioxide you exhale and the warmth of your body, and they can be pretty persistent, leaving you with painful welts as a souvenir of your time at the shore.
What Attracts Biting Beach Flies?
Biting beach flies are often drawn to body heat, movement, carbon dioxide, and warm, humid coastal areas. Beaches with dunes, marshes, tidal flats, or shaded vegetation can give these pests the moisture and shelter they need to stay active near people.
Understanding what attracts biting flies can help you choose a better setup spot and prepare before they interrupt your beach day.
How To Get Rid of Biting Flies at the Beach
You don't have many options to completely eliminate beach flies while you are at the shore, but you can reduce your chances of getting bitten with a few simple steps:
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Wear light-colored long sleeves, pants, and hats to limit exposed skin.
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Use a natural bug spray according to the product label, and reapply after swimming or sweating.
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Choose breezier areas when possible, since airflow can make it harder for flies to land.
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Bring a portable fan to help keep air moving around your beach setup.
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Avoid sitting too close to dunes, marshy areas, or standing water when possible.
These small adjustments can make your beach day more comfortable and help keep biting flies from taking over.
What To Do If You Get Bitten by Beach Flies
If a beach fly bites you, wash the area with soap and water and apply a cold compress to help reduce swelling. Try not to scratch the bite, since scratching can make irritation worse. If redness, swelling, or discomfort continues, contact a medical professional for guidance.
For another easy mosquito control option, contact MosquitoNix about our On-the-Go Portable Misting System. This portable mosquito misting dispenser releases a fine mist designed to help eliminate mosquitoes, gnats, wasps, and other flying pests before they interrupt your time outdoors. Use it in your backyard before entertaining, around patios and outdoor seating areas, or bring it along for camping trips when you need convenient mosquito protection away from home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Biting Beach Flies
How do you keep biting flies off of you at the beach?
You can help keep biting flies away by wearing light-colored clothing that covers exposed skin, using bug spray according to the product label, choosing breezy areas, and using a portable fan to create airflow around your setup.Why are biting flies so common at the beach?
Biting beach flies are attracted to warm, humid environments like dunes, marshes, and tidal flats. They are also drawn to body heat, movement, and carbon dioxide, which makes beaches a common place for them to gather.What should you do after a biting fly bite?
If you get bitten, wash the area with soap and water and apply a cold compress to reduce swelling. Avoid scratching the bite, and if irritation or discomfort continues, contact a medical professional.Leave a comment
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