NJ shore residents - HELP!

[Chris Brennan]

One of my favorite places to shoot in south Jersey is the Forsythe NWR in Oceanville. I really enjoy shooting there in March, and April and May. However, when June rolls around, the area is beseiged by green head flies and no matter how hard I try to keep them out of my car and away from my person, they make my life ****! I've not been able to locate a repellent that helps... Last year I came home from a 2 hr jaunt around the drive with literally hundreds of bites! It took me several weeks to recover....

Because this time of year really is prime viewing for a variety of birds including osprey and their young, I really don't want to miss it. I know I'm going to invest in a "bug suit" from Cabela's for sure. But I know one or 2 will probably still get through my defenses so if someone knows of a repellent that works, I'd be forever grateful!

[Ian Cassell]

Chris, I own a house in Ocean County (near Tuckerton) that I bought when I lived in Philly and feel for you! I use deep woods OFF and it works for the majority, but some of the greenheads always seem to laugh at the stuff. I think chain-mail is my next tactic. BTW -- we always put up greenhead traps and get zillions of them, but it doesn't seem to make a dent in their population!

Ian

[Chris Brennan]

Ian -

Thanks for the response! Chain mail is great option, albeit a tad heavy... gotta find something!

[Rachel Hollander]

Try Ultrathon. It works with most flying things and was first recommended to me by a travel med specialist to keep the mossies and tse tse flies away in Africa. It also worked with sand flies in NZ. You can get it on-line from someplace like Eastern Mountain Sports or REI.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Chris,
Can't say for sure....even though I live in NJ.....but have used Ben's bug juice....100% deet in Alaska and glades in Fla....only thing that worked ever! I'm also 99% sure it isn't great for you/your skin...as a matter of fact....melts plastic.....but anything is better than those flies!

[Beth Goffe]

Permethrin is another very strong bug repellent that you put on your clothes only. According to this blog entry, it does work: http://www.birdchick.com/wp/2010/06/...-lark-display/.

[Rachel Hollander]

Forgot about the Permerthrin spray. I've used that as well and you can also get it at EMS or REI. The Ultrathon only goes on exposed areas.

[Gary Hamilton]

Bugs love me for some reason, so I feel your pain. Columbia makes a floppy hat with a built-in bug net. It seems to be a finer mesh than standard head nets. If I had to wear a full bug suit to get the shots I want, I'd do it in a heart beat. It beats potentially poisoning yourself with harsh chemicals. And don't worry about what others might think--when you come back with great images you will have the last laugh. Good luck.

[Bill Jobes]

When shooting from the vehicle with a BLUBB, I cover the window openings with mosquito netting.

I hang it from the door jamb, with a slit cut in the middle from which to protrude the telephoto lens.

Very few flies ever break the barrier. And I enjoy watching them through the mesh. :D

[Ian Cassell]

I dunno ...

My mother always told me: "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em"

[Chris Brennan]

When shooting from the vehicle with a BLUBB, I cover the window openings with mosquito netting.

I hang it from the door jamb, with a slit cut in the middle from which to protrude the telephoto lens.

Very few flies ever break the barrier. And I enjoy watching them through the mesh. :D

Bill -

Brilliant idea! I have some of those Plexi window louvers on my front windows, so I'm thinking that some mosquito netting and some judiciously applied velcro might keep those little buggers away... I think a trip to Lowe's will be in order shortly!

Chris

[Ian Cassell]

As a follow-up, how'd you do?

I just got back to Phoenix from NJ on Sunday and spent several mornings at Forsythe over the course of 2 weeks. Using Deep Woods Off, I managed to escape being bitten more than once or twice. The little buggers were swarming my car and you could hear the tapping on the glass. It's quite an eerie experience.

Ian

[Myer Bornstein]

I have use the insect reppant clothing from LL Bean, thaat plus Deep woods off works for me

[Chris Brennan]

Ian -

I actually "chickened out" on Forsythe! I know, I'm a wuss, what can I say? However, I found another active osprey nest much closer to my home on a freshwater lake and have been there several times... watched the chicks grow up, get fed by "Mom and Dad", and was there a day or so after they fledged. All in all, a good experience, and not a green head to be found!