How to Repel Biting Flies Outside: Effective Outdoor Protection Tips

Personal Protection: Best Repellents for Biting Flies

Biting flies, unlike mosquitoes, often ignore low-concentration repellents. They also do not simply pierce the skin; they use scissor-like mouthparts to cut the skin, which is why their bite is sharp and immediately painful.

Note on Application

Flies often target clothing, so treating outerwear (shirts, hats, and pants) with Permethrin spray and applying Picaridin to exposed skin (hands, neck, face) creates the best barrier.

2. Environmental Management (Source Reduction)

Biting flies (especially stable flies and horseflies) are often attracted to specific environmental conditions, which can be managed.

• Remove Breeding Sites: Stable flies and houseflies breed in moist, decaying organic matter (rotting grass clippings, piles of manure, compost piles, and wet hay). Remove or turn over these piles regularly.

• Targeted Traps: Commercial traps (often sticky) designed to attract and trap flies can reduce localized populations around patios or porches.

• Water Control: While flies don’t breed in stagnant water like mosquitoes, they are attracted to areas with high moisture. Ensure pet food and water dishes are kept clean.

3. Behavioral Tips to Minimize Attraction

• Color Choice: Wear light-colored clothing (white, yellow) instead of dark colors (blue, black). Biting flies are visually attracted to large, dark objects, which they mistake for potential hosts.

• Avoid Scents: Biting flies are attracted to scents, including some perfumes and heavily floral sunscreens. Use unscented products when spending prolonged time outdoors.

• Keep Moving: Horseflies and deer flies are very difficult to deter once they commit to a target. Constant movement makes them less likely to land and successfully take a blood meal.

For scientifically backed information on insect repellents, consult the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) resources on insect repellents.