When you plan a relaxing day at the beach, you’re sure to pack all the essentials: sunscreen, chairs, snacks, and drinks to stay cool under the sun. You settle in, ready to unwind, and then it happens—a sudden, painful bug bite. Unfortunately, you’re not the only one drawn to the beach; biting flies are also eager to spoil your fun. So, what are these pesky beach flies, and why are they so relentless? Fliesonthebeach.com sheds light on what attracts these troublesome insects and offers tips for keeping them at bay, so you can enjoy your beach day without interruption.
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 buggers are common along the 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.
You don’t have many options to eradicate beach flies, but you can decrease their likelihood of bugging you. One of the easiest ways to deter biting flies is by covering up; light-colored clothing, including long-sleeve shirts, pants, and hats, limits the amount of exposed skin they can access.
Another way to repel beach flies is with scents, preferably in the form of a natural bug spray. Look for products containing lavender, tea tree, or eucalyptus essential oils, and be sure to reapply after you dry off from playing in the water or after a few hours. Consider taking a portable fan to keep you cool and create a breeze that discourages beach flies from landing on your skin for a quick bite. If you’re planning a beach day, consider a portable mesh screen or pop-up tent. These enclosures provide a sanctuary from flies while sill allowing you to enjoy the coastal breeze and scenic views.
For another easy solution, check out Fliesonthebeach.com to get your daily Fly Report. The daily fly report will give you a real time answer on the beach conditions, and whether or not you will have a bug-free beach day.
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