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Friday, June 14, 2013

getting ready for the 2013 deer fly season

I am very happy to report that, unlike last year, Spring here in Southeastern Michigan has progressed according to a “normal” schedule.  The vast majority of the pollen and seeds from trees has landed and the cottonwood cotton has finished flying around and sticking to everything.  The plants all bloomed at the appropriate time and, unlike last year, we’ve had plenty of rain.  However, I have not seen any frogs this year.  We usually see lots and lots of frogs of all sizes.  But so far this year, nothing!  Another thing I haven’t seen yet this year is dragonflies.  I am bummed about this because (1) I love dragonflies, and (2) dragonflies like to eat deer flies.  The dragonflies are always out and flying around in large numbers for several weeks before the deer flies emerge.  So, are both the dragonflies and deer flies going to emerge late this year, or are we going to get deer flies without one of their natural predators around?  I sure hope the dragonflies show up!

I am all set for Deer Fly Season 2013.  My umbrella is in good working condition and I have plenty of disposable gloves, sandwich baggies and Tangle-Trap.  Now all I have to do is wait for the bloodsucking deer flies to show up.  Of course, if they want to skip our area this year, I would be very happy!!  But I don’t think that will happen.

I would love to hear about your deer fly experiences this season.  Has deer fly season started in your area?  Are you attempting to trap deer flies?  If so, how?  (If not, why not?!?!)  How many have you caught?  Please share your stories in the comments section.  We would all like to hear and learn from you.

Here’s hoping your deer fly season is mild wherever you are.  I will definitely periodically post my trapping data for the 2013 Deer Fly Season here in Livingston County once the actual bloodsuckers arrive.

 

Got questions?  Got comments?  Got feedback?  Click the blue "# comments" link below and say something!
Posted by UmbrellaGirl at

10 comments:

  1. DaveJune 24, 2013 at 2:30 PM

    I am having difficulty finding the Tangle-Trap locally. They do have the "Tanglefoot Tree Pest Barrier". Was wondering how close this is to the Tangle Trap?

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    Replies
    1. UmbrellaGirlJune 24, 2013 at 5:03 PM

      Tanglefoot Tree Pest Barrier is completely different stuff. It is smelly and yellow. It is meant to attract bugs. Stick with Tanglefoot's Tangle Trap. No smell, no color, simply sticky. I order the quart-sized cans from Amazon. Good luck and happy trapping.

      Delete
    2. AnonymousJuly 4, 2013 at 8:39 AM

      do you have a picture of your umbrella contraption?

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    3. UmbrellaGirlJuly 5, 2013 at 1:29 AM

      See my post from July 5, 2012, "Making and Using the Deer Fly Trap Umbrella" for all the details and photos.

      Delete
  2. RossJuly 1, 2013 at 9:01 AM

    Season has officially started down in Washtenaw County, too. Got ran off my property yesterday after the hoard descended upon me. Time to get out the tangle trap!

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    Replies
    1. UmbrellaGirlJuly 5, 2013 at 1:34 AM

      Hey, Ross, keep a tally of what you catch and then share your data with us. It will be fun to see how everyone does!

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  3. AnonymousJuly 2, 2013 at 9:12 PM

    Great Blog! I live in a wooded neighborhood in western Suffolk County on the north shore of Long Island, NY, about 40 miles east of NYC. Deer started appearing regularly in my neighborhood for the first time about 6 years ago. The deer flies first appeared 3 years ago, and have gotten progressively worse. Deer fly season started last week and is in full swing now. I walked in the woods the other day for 20 minutes w/ double sided tape on the back of my head and caught 25 flies. Yesterday, I carried a blue beer cup coated w/ tanglefoot on a stick for the same amount of time and caught about 80 flies. That blue color really makes them frenzy.I am going to try the umbrella next.

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    Replies
    1. UmbrellaGirlJuly 5, 2013 at 1:32 AM

      Oh boy, I am really looking forward to hearing about your results from using the umbrella! Happy twirling and trapping!

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  4. TomMay 9, 2017 at 9:10 AM

    The DEC reports that dragon fly and frog numbers are down due to a decimated deer fly population. This due to an unexplainable bloom of ambulating bipedal blue solo umbrella spinners.

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    Replies
    1. UmbrellaGirlMay 11, 2017 at 12:12 PM

      this is the cutest and most clever comment I've received!! I love it!!

      Delete

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