Black fly hell

[alshepuk]

We are just back from Kalkan and will never go again in May.  We were bitten so bad in the day time by the little black flies.  We were staying in Kisla but I am not sure that being close to the waterfront helped but they were hell.  I am still scratching like mad after being back 3 days.  We tried everything to stop and help the bites.  Even the old faithful Stylix couldn't help us.

Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=5593.0

[Blue Lizard]

The little blighters are olive midges....

[Linsue]

OOh poor you!  Definitely they are the olive midges and their bites are worse than any mossie bites. Personally I am lucky as mossies don't seem to like me but I stillb ear the scars from olive midges bites.
 
I heard that the Avon aftersun is good as they seem to hate the smell.
 

[kalkanbelle]

Are they immune to all the mossie and other insect sprays?  Does anyone know of anything that can repel them?

[Bdancer]

I can empathise, they are evil!
 
I'm really hoping that are on their way out,  but as we arrive on the 5th I fear they may still be lurking..
 
Isis

[alshepuk]

We tried the normal repellents without any luck.  We only saw them in the day time.  I am not sure if they are around at night.  We did sit right on the sea edge one afternoon and they did not seem to like the sea breeze.

[Blue Lizard]

The little beggars always used to arrive late April /May..they are attracted by the olive trees.... .recent years they seem to be arriving later?maybe something to do with trees fruiting later?.............(they probably don't come out at night because they are full after biting everyone during the day and can't take off )

[Em1]

Hi
I have been out for the last 3 weeks, and did not get bitten once. I used the orange OFF! spray can that you can buy in the supermarket, and use it on my arms, legs and hair.
Maybe I just dont taste very nice?
Em

[alshepuk]

We did try that but with no success. 

[Wendy]

Apparently the Vanilla smelling inscence sticks get rid of them. Obviously this is only good if you are sat down though. I haven't found anything that stops the little s***s.

[Blue Lizard]

Those sticks?.......Do you hit them with it?

[jinfizzz]

They were there at the end of April.  Hopefully when we return at the next week, they'll be on their way out.  Luckily for those of us with thick hair, we tend not to be affected, but for the guys, it's the Himalayas on top of the bonce!

[Kalkan regular]

I believe you can buy something at the chemist to wash your hair with and it stops them biting your head.

[fidimax]

Head and shoulders works,well Ive not had a problem when Ive used it. 

[Chucky]

This was a topic last year. They seem to be attracted to water. As soon as the gardener started watering the gardens we beat a hasty retreat!!!  Even my scalp was bitten and I have hair. Someone suggested putting a leave on Tea Tree Oil hair condition on, and it did seem to work along with a dab of Tea Tree Oil behind my ears......my hubby certainly stopped nibbling on my ears 

[bassett]

this year i tried vosene head lice repellent shampoo and it has worked for me. havn't got nits either!

[bobibag]

I swear by BEN'S 100 Safari Strength Insect Repellant. Used it when I backpacked round the world for a year. Repels: Mosquitos, Ticks, Black Flies, Biting Midges, Sandflies, Chiggers, Fleas and Stable Flies but not in that particular order, for up to 10 hours. Hardly any UK retail outlets stock it. Buy it online.

[jcac]

Keep the ideas coming, I had 2 weeks of scratching as well in May although 'her in doors' was OK maybe its something to do with Marmite she had for breakfast every day.

[alshepuk]

I also had marmite evry morning on toast.  Did not work for me.  <aybe I should have spread it on my skin.  I now have some small scars where I scratched too hard.

[pbay]

I was under the impression that the flys have now gone. Is this the case are have they hung around this year? Hope not because i'm coming out in two weeks.