We have a terrible problem with biting flies by our pool. We suspect they're coming from the wetlands on the unowned land next to us and they can ruin time spent by the pool as they dive-bomb anyone swimming. Last year we tried the fly bags from Amazon that, while they obviously caught lots of other flies as emptying them was one of the more disgusting experiences in my life, didn't solve the pool problem. This year we're looking at an H-Trap as they get very good reviews, but they're relatively pricey so we don't want to throw money away if we can avoid it. Has anyone tried one of these near a pool? If so, how close to the pool do you put it - there's online photos of them right next to a pool, but surely the aim should be to catch the flies before they can even see us tasty humans?
Have you tried some citronella torches/oil lamps placed around the pool?
Bugs HATE the smell of them.
Bugs HATE the smell of them.
Are they yellow/deer flies? What we found that worked is kind of weird but it works for us:
-blue, plastic plates
-Tangle Feet make sure to go all the way down to the bottom of the page INSECT TRAP COATING 8OZ - Walmart.com
-fishing line
-rubber gloves
-cheap bowl scraper (keep it in a plastic bag after using it)
Poke a hole in some of the blue plates. Run the fishing line through the hole. Hang the plates about 10 or more feet from the pool. Use the scraper to goop the tangle stuff on both sides of the plate.
Do not wear good clothes as this stuff is STICKY and almost impossible to get off clothes.
I have done this for the past 3 yrs and had great luck with it!
Kim
-blue, plastic plates
-Tangle Feet make sure to go all the way down to the bottom of the page INSECT TRAP COATING 8OZ - Walmart.com
-fishing line
-rubber gloves
-cheap bowl scraper (keep it in a plastic bag after using it)
Poke a hole in some of the blue plates. Run the fishing line through the hole. Hang the plates about 10 or more feet from the pool. Use the scraper to goop the tangle stuff on both sides of the plate.
Do not wear good clothes as this stuff is STICKY and almost impossible to get off clothes.
I have done this for the past 3 yrs and had great luck with it!
Kim
Wobblerlorri
Bronze Supporter
- Apr 16, 2019
- 2,010
- Pool Size
- 4024
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Liquid Chlorine
Just a note, the H-trap only works on the tabanid flies, meaning horseflies. I don't think it works on the smaller biting flies like deer flies.
You need to look closely at your biting flies to make sure you get a trap that will catch them.
here is an Amazon page with all kinds of biting fly traps. I'd several different kinds and hang them around the pool. Incidentally, there's a tabanid type trap that works on the same principle as the H-trap for only $28...
You need to look closely at your biting flies to make sure you get a trap that will catch them.
here is an Amazon page with all kinds of biting fly traps. I'd several different kinds and hang them around the pool. Incidentally, there's a tabanid type trap that works on the same principle as the H-trap for only $28...
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Are they yellow/deer flies? What we found that worked is kind of weird but it works for us:
-blue, plastic plates
-Tangle Feet make sure to go all the way down to the bottom of the page INSECT TRAP COATING 8OZ - Walmart.com
-fishing line
-rubber gloves
-cheap bowl scraper (keep it in a plastic bag after using it)
Poke a hole in some of the blue plates. Run the fishing line through the hole. Hang the plates about 10 or more feet from the pool. Use the scraper to goop the tangle stuff on both sides of the plate.
Do not wear good clothes as this stuff is STICKY and almost impossible to get off clothes.
I have done this for the past 3 yrs and had great luck with it!
Kim
That's close to what we do. We get a beach ball, spray paint it black, then use the spray tangle on it. Then we'll hang it somewhere close and they flies go straight for it!
Making deer fly traps this weekend, they just seem to be worse than usual this year. My plan is to buy a pack of blue solo cups and coat them with Tanglefoot as Kim recommended. I'll hang them with fishing line in several places around the yard. The new version of Tanglefoot seems to have an integrated brush which is nice.
- Jul 16, 2012
- 7,206
- Pool Size
- 27000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Hayward Aqua Rite (T-15)
If you are looking for an insecticide, this is the product I've used for mosquito control and it works very well. I need to spray as I got bit like crazy the other night by the pool. I am also hoping to eliminate the thousands of clover mites (the tiny little red bugs the size of a "." on the hard surfaces around the pool. The 'insects controlled' list includes biting flies. I'm not crazy about using insecticides but this one also cover the tons of ants that will be invading my house any day now if I don't spray. You apply it with a pump sprayer.
Bifen IT
Bifen IT
jtpipkin
Bronze Supporter
That Bifen IT is some good stuff. Fired my exterminators years ago and just spray myself. Haven't had one issue. Use it in ant beds, they don't relocate, they dead
Spray the bushes with it and helps control mosquitos. One small bottle of that stuff makes gallons of spray, lasts for years. If a bug walks on it, they dead
jwhop3
0
- Jun 9, 2014
- 146
- Pool Size
- 14000
- Surface
- Vinyl
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Autopilot Digital Nano+ PPC2
Put up a Purple Martin house. That solves a LOT of bug problems, and they're dang fun to watch. Bat houses work good too.
We picked up a Dynatrap from Costco. Supposed to work with mosquitos and biting flies. Has made a difference in our yard.
i have the same issue with deer flys. yesterday i received the blue solo cups and the tanglefoot sticky stuff.
next week i’ll be putting them out
next week i’ll be putting them out
do you mind sharing some details on placement? i’m curious about height from the ground , in the sun or the shade and are they hanging on trees or stakes... thanks, i just want to get off to a good start?The above cut my deer flies down to 0 within one day!!!
Kim
I hang mine from tree branches at about face height for me making sure they can swing free without hitting any leaves or such. I have one on each side of the barn and two in the front of the house.
I use fishing line to hand the plates.
I use fishing line to hand the plates.
