Flies bloody everywhere!

[Amber Valley Guy]

I don't know why but I swallowed a fly.... no joke a going downhill a big black fly hit the back of my throat. Went through a cloud of them, St Marks flies (also called Hawthorn flies), gagging like crazy until I spat it out. Anyone else ran into these things in the hills? They look a bit like flying ants.

 

[Stihldog]

Sounds horrible. Yuk.
I heard that the mosquitoes in Manitoba Canada are the size of a small SUV.

It’s the Horse Flys , when riding in the alpine, that are relentless. Had to cover my nose and mouth …but then they go for the eyes and ears. And their bite can hurt.

Sometimes I wear head mesh while trail building. Fits easily in my pack.

 

[irie]

I don't know why but I swallowed a fly.... no joke a going downhill a big black fly hit the back of my throat. Went through a cloud of them, St Marks flies (also called Hawthorn flies), gagging like crazy until I spat it out. Anyone else ran into these things in the hills? They look a bit like flying ants.

By coincidence spat out a big fly on yesterday's ride, may have been a Hawthorn Fly. Teach me for riding with my mouth open, but then I'm a mouth breather. In spite of wearing long trousers and long sleeve shirt am also being bitten by insects on ankles and wrists. Weather getting very warm next week so will probably get worse.

 

[Amber Valley Guy]

I get hayfever especially in woodland (deciduous) at this time of year (some years I'm fine) and it helps to breathe through the mouth to reduce the sniffles. I'd just come out of some woods on a downhill hence the fly hitting the back of my throat.

As for horse flies, nasty beggars, once got bit by one and it took months to heal up, and it left a scar.

 

[Stihldog]

It’s the season again for the insect party. Riding seems to be okay but if you stop for a little trail maintenance it’s not long before you become dinner for the little guests.

Mosquitoes don’t bother me too much, especially if I’m wearing head-mesh. Horseflies are brutal and literally harvest your flesh. They can be big and stealthy.

But don’t stand over a wasps or hornets nest. You’ll soon find out that you’re ’re an unwelcome guest. Hornets will chase you down for quite a distance (30-50M) to get their stinging satisfaction on. Thankfully I’m not allergic but 12 stings can still hurt. (fingers, ears, neck and knees) . Riding gloves and long pants didn’t help.

 

[irie]

Got to start putting "Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray (Original with Jojoba)" on my ankles, wrists, face, and neck to stop pesky insects having a meal from my blood. Apparently used by the SAS.

 

[Stihldog]

I don’t use bug spray on my shin but I thought I’d be clever once and just sprayed my helmet.

Well what a shock when I got home and removed my helmet …looked like my helmet had grown a thin carpet. Dead mosquitoes covered the entire lid where I sprayed …what a mess!

 

[Just gan]

I don't know why but I swallowed a fly.... no joke a going downhill a big black fly hit the back of my throat. Went through a cloud of them, St Marks flies (also called Hawthorn flies), gagging like crazy until I spat it out. Anyone else ran into these things in the hills? They look a bit like flying ants.

Why was your mouth open , next your tongue will be sticking out you'll bite a bit off and have a lithp forever more. Tape mouth and nose for ultimate midge protection. Covid masks are pretty good.

 

[Just gan]

Got to start putting "Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray (Original with Jojoba)" on my ankles, wrists, face, and neck to stop pesky insects having a meal from my blood. Apparently used by the SAS.

View attachment 159482

Tried everything for midge nothing works for me. Wife told me a hack last week tumble dryer sheets never heard of them but she bought me some. Stick a couple up your nose your pockets and any other holes and they supposedly work. Watch this space

 

[steve_sordy]

Got to start putting "Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray (Original with Jojoba)" on my ankles, wrists, face, and neck to stop pesky insects having a meal from my blood. Apparently used by the SAS.

View attachment 159482

I had a mate who used to be in the Royal Marines before he joined the SBS (same as the SAS except they do it in a wet suit and flippers). Sadly, he's dead now, KIA (RIP Taz). He told me that when he was guarding the submarine base in Scotland (Faslane I believe) that he tried the product and it worked better than the stuff they were issued with. But that was a long time ago and the product has since been reformulated and it no longer works as an insect repellent.

EDIT: I use Jungle Formula - max strength. It worked in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, oh and also the UK!

 

[Just gan]

I had a mate who used to be in the Royal Marines before he joined the SBS (same as the SAS except they do it in a wet suit and flippers). Sadly, he's dead now, KIA (RIP Taz). He told me that when he was guarding the submarine base in Scotland (Faslane I believe) that he tried the product and it worked better than the stuff they were issued with. But that was a long time ago and the product has since been reformulated and it no longer works as an insect repellent.

Surprised they admitted they bothered them . I remember a job getting stopped in Shetland midges around a fibre optic camera . Powers at be couldn't believe there was nothing we could do yo stop then.

 

[steve_sordy]

Surprised they admitted they bothered them . ............

The Royal Marines are tough, but they are not stupid either.

 

[DeRailled7]

Black flies of Canada
There’s even a song about them

 

[Just gan]

The Royal Marines are tough, but they are not stupid either.

Worked with a few Marines and SBS on various Dive boats you wouldn't know unless someone told you. Just ordinary lads.

 

[irie]

Worked with a few Marines and SBS on various Dive boats you wouldn't know unless someone told you. Just ordinary lads.

They may look and sound like "ordinary lads" but they're not.

 

[Just gan]

They may look and sound like "ordinary lads" but they're not.

What I meant was they don't bum their chat .

 

[Bender]

Move to California! We have very little insects here. It's dry and they don't like it. But of course, we have "other" (more generalized) problems which I won't go into right now

Speaking of insects, this is a list of my encounter with insects:

• Flies: Eating them is a rite of passage. Had a few myself.
• Beetle or some other kind of small insect: Splashed itself onto my glasses.
• Bee: One once got straight into my mouth (scary!) I got very very good at spitting insects super fast.
• Bee #2: Got into my helmet on a downhill section. Got very angry bouncing in there. Eventually found a way out, but most unfortunately, it was into my shirt, at the nape of my neck. Stung me hard. I can still remember that hot/burn sensation spreading and could do nothing about it.
• Dragonflies: Back in another state which is a swamp. Coming down fast. Got into a cloud of big fat dragonflies. Maybe two or three got into my mouth. They're big, fat and buzzy. Ew.

 

[Montana St Alum]

I don't know why but I swallowed a fly.... no joke a going downhill a big black fly hit the back of my throat. Went through a cloud of them, St Marks flies (also called Hawthorn flies), gagging like crazy until I spat it out. Anyone else ran into these things in the hills? They look a bit like flying ants.

Aren't you supposed to swallow a spider now?

 

[Stihldog]

Black flies of Canada
There’s even a song about them

Yeah, forgot about them. Even the wildlife hates those little f*#kin b*st*rds.

 

[Just gan]

 

[Montana St Alum]

When I went through Aviation Officer Training ages ago, in Pensacola, the Marine drill instructor made us "feed the mosquitos" outside the chow hall prior to dinner while standing at attention. He thought the bugs deserved a chance to eat also. Amusingly unpleasant!

 

[Amber Valley Guy]

Aren't you supposed to swallow a spider now?

I didn't see any flying spiders worth swallowing

 

[Montana St Alum]

I didn't see any flying spiders worth swallowing

Shirley (I mean, surely) you're not going to escalate right to a bird or cat!