Florida flies can start to get pretty bad this time of year and biting yellow flies are the worst. Yellow flies are about 1 cm in length. They look a lot like deer flies, except for their lighter, yellowish color.
Yellow flies are some of the most serious biting pests in the U.S. Their bites are painful and can cause very itchy welts. It particularly likes a certain level of light. They’re active throughout the day, but prefer overcast days and later afternoon when the sun is less intense. Because of this preference for lower light levels, they’ll also happily go indoors or under shelters to do their biting.
Like most Florida flies, biting yellow flies enjoy areas of water that encourage dampness in their surroundings. They aren’t limited to these areas, also enjoying forests. They’ll be active March through November, although the University of Florida has identified their peak season is April through June.
Mosquito repellent can work to some extent as a deterrent but is not completely effective. Repellents containing Deet are most effective. Of course, for pets, consult a veterinarian before applying any repellent, as different animals and breeds will respond differently.
Yellow flies are some of the most difficult Florida flies to manage. Traps are somewhat effective, as are emptying standing pools of water around your home (this will also help cut down on mosquito and sand flea populations).
It’s important to prevent ways that biting yellow flies can get into your home – use window screens for open windows, caulk your foundation, and seal up cracks around windows. Make sure you clean up food crumbs and especially drinks. Although female yellow flies consume blood, male yellow flies prefer pollen and nectar – meaning sugary drinks or spills will attract the overall yellow fly population.
If you have a serious yellow fly problem, or you’re getting bites, contact Slug-A-Bug as soon as you can.