The Monstrous Yellow Fly!

When I was RVing in the Panhandle of Florida I was introduced to a new kind of monster. It's called many things but the name "Yellow Fly" best describes it. Mosquitoes in Florida are bad but no comparison to the evil "Yellow Fly".

Yellow flies are biting flies that usually have black stripes and wings.  In Florida the yellow fly starts appearing in March and flies around causing pain and suffering through November. Their eggs look like  specks of tar and can be discovered in masses (50-300 eggs). They breed around ponds, streams, swamps and overhanging vegetation.

Their eggs hatch in 5-12 days depending on the environment. The larvae  falls into water and mud where they feed on organic matter. Adult yellow fly like shaded and fairly humid areas and tend to congregate around the edges of forests, along rivers and creeks.

Many folks experience an allergic reaction to the yellow fly bite. It's, therefore, important you take the precautions of covering your skin when outdoors and avoid outdoor activity during early morning and late evening hours. Also avoid shaded area and most importantly avoid going outdoors without repellant or appropriate clothing.

Here's a unique trapping device used to reduce the number of yellow flies in your neighborhood..

Below is a list of materials and instructions for building a this unique yellow fly trap.

MATERIALS

20" inflatable beach ball (available at WalMart, Kmart etc.)

10"of ¾ inch PVC or 10" of 1" x 2" wood strip

Glossy black spray paint

String

Glue

CONSTRUCTION

1.     Inflate the beach ball.

2.     Assemble the inverted L-shaped stand using PVC or wood strips.

(The upright portion of the stand is 6" high with 2 " inserted into the ground. The remaining 2" serves as the right-angled support. The ball may also be hung from a tree, but beneath the canopy.)

3.     Paint the ball glossy black and allow the paint to completely dry.

4.     Tie the string to the inflation tube on the ball and suspend it from the angled support or tree branch.

5.     Snip the corner from the plastic glue bag and squeeze the contents on the top of the ball.

6.     Wearing disposable plastic gloves, or using a paintbrush, spread the glue evenly over the ball. (Avoid skin contact. Use mineral spirits to remove any glue that inadvertently comes in contact with the skin.)

Trap Location

The glue ball should be located underneath the tree canopy to take advantage of the yellow flies' preference for shade. Balls hung in the open will not collect as effectively as balls in the shade.

Good Hunting -- Go get the little monsters.

About the Author:
Bob Macek has been an outdoor enthusiast since 1969. He converted a VW bus into a living RV and traveled the country. He left St Louis, MO and ended in Salt Lake City, UT . In 2000. he again decide to opt for the nomad life and purchased an RV. He lived the Gypsy life until September 2004. While traveling in the Panhandle of Florida his RV was destroyed by hurricane Ivan. You can Contact Bob at: bob@probizusa.com