Castanet

It's so weird. It's almost as if there were things that triggered their existence......like fruit on the ground.

rode my motorcycle yesterday Hwy 33 to Rock Creek , face and goggles splattered with them constantly,
seemed to be swarms of them from Beverdale south to Hwy 3.

Tried to go for a run yesterday on the Clement Path. Between the gnats and the smoke, I walked home.

I don't even want to know how many I inhaled. Barf.

May I make a suggestion?? Try Peppermint spray or Bounce sheets to ward them off. I have heard that either works very well with keeping them at bay. I have noticed even going out on my patio that the little flies are very bad and do want to come inside, or, they attach themselves to one's clothes and then you are chasing them to kill them off. Haven't bit me yet, but, they are a nuisance for sure.

They are definitely attracted to orange and yellow and seem to avoid many other colours.

My sundeck was covered with them this afternoon so I lit a citronella candle and within 2 minutes the deck was pretty much clear of them. I just put the candle out and will see how quickly they reappear.

@me wrote:They are definitely attracted to orange and yellow and seem to avoid many other colours.

My sundeck was covered with them this afternoon so I lit a citronella candle and within 2 minutes the deck was pretty much clear of them. I just put the candle out and will see how quickly they reappear.

They seemed to love my green shorts today too.

I took some photos with macro lens - this gives a pretty good idea of what they look like

swarms in the north end too, for approximately a week now

I have to wear the Hi Vis stuff at work and they are attracted to the lime green and bright orange reflective wear. Workmates have noticed it as well . They are bad in the mornings I noticed. They get in yer ears eyes and other orifices. Thank goodness I wear pants. ( At work )

Noisy Boater wrote:I have to wear the Hi Vis stuff at work and they are attracted to the lime green and bright orange reflective wear. Workmates have noticed it as well . They are bad in the mornings I noticed. They get in yer ears eyes and other orifices. Thank goodness I wear pants. ( At work )

I'm sure your coworkers are thankful to.

I made the mistake of wearing an orange shirt to work today - ugh!

Interesting. Thanks for that.
I had them pegged as gnats.
Does anyone know are they root aphids?

And oddly enough, last year was terrible for the plant-eating type of aphids. Lost a few plants in our garden to them, and the community garden at my son's school was lousy with them. This year they've been virtually non-existent, at least where I live.