Evil Flies

finlma

Has anyone any tricks or recommendations to stop flies following you when you run? Every July/August in the place that I run I tend to attract a collection of flies that hover behind my head and around my ears. I end up running with my arms flailing through the air like some mad man. When I pass people out walking they think I'm nuts and then see a collection of flies around my head and think I'm some sort of lord of the flies. Today, I had at least 20 of them supporting me on my run and they drove me insane.

Is there any spray that would repell them or do I just need to run a lot faster?

rom

finlma wrote: »

Has anyone any tricks or recommendations to stop flies following you when you run? Every July/August in the place that I run I tend to attract a collection of flies that hover behind my head and around my ears. I end up running with my arms flailing through the air like some mad man. When I pass people out walking they think I'm nuts and then see a collection of flies around my head and think I'm some sort of lord of the flies. Today, I had at least 20 of them supporting me on my run and they drove me insane.

Is there any spray that would repell them or do I just need to run a lot faster?

wash
but seriously it depends on where you run. if near water/trees this is going to be worse. also the time of the day does matter also too. So do you find it happening on a single route and what is that route ? water/trees etc, time of day ?

robinph

I've taken to eating them.

At least they seem to be offering themselves up for being eaten as I run past and I then have little option but to oblige even if I'd rather not.

rom

robinph wrote: »

I've taken to eating them.

At least they seem to be offering themselves up for being eaten as I run past and I then have little option but to oblige even if I'd rather not.

An alternative to gels ?

ger664

rom wrote: »

An alternative to gels ?

nah too much protein and not enough carbs in them flies

RacoonQueen

Insect repellent.

robinph

Are you sure they are following you? I can't see them being that motivated to follow a runner for more than a couple of seconds, and then you'll out run them. I find it's more that I'm running into stationary flocks of them rather than them chasing me.

What is the collective for flies anyway?

Emer911

robinph wrote: »

What is the collective for flies anyway?

A group of flies is called a swarm or cloud

...and anyway, I'd say they're more of a choking hazard than any sort of protein replacement too!

nerraw1111

I read somewhere that their terminal velocity is 10kmph or so. A quick burst of speed may get rid of them. I'll try and find the source for it. B'stards when cycling uphill. They ambush you.

finlma

robinph wrote: »

Are you sure they are following you?

They are definitely following me. Walkers tend to have maybe 4 or 5 flies after them but if you're running you can expect 20+ following you. Maybe they tag in and tag out but at any given time there could be 20 following me. It must be to do with sweat levels.

I run faster than 10 km/hr so these must be super flies.

I run beside water and trees so maybe that's the reason.

robinph

I expect they are doing a relay then, each one only following you for a bit until they decide if they like the smell or not. By then you've enticed a few more to join in but the original ones have got knackered and gone to look for a dog instead.

sconhome

finlma wrote: »

Has anyone any tricks or recommendations to stop flies following you when you run? Every July/August in the place that I run I tend to attract a collection of flies that hover behind my head and around my ears. I end up running with my arms flailing through the air like some mad man. When I pass people out walking they think I'm nuts and then see a collection of flies around my head and think I'm some sort of lord of the flies. Today, I had at least 20 of them supporting me on my run and they drove me insane.

Is there any spray that would repell them or do I just need to run a lot faster?

Get a running buddy to run a half step ahead of you, you should be in the clear then or get one of these:

az2wp0sye65487

I'm like you OP - I seem to attract a lot of them. I think it has something to do with the individual rather than sweat levels etc.

Even when out walking the dog in the park with the missus - I do have swarms of the feckers attacking me and they don't seem to bother with her.

I was thinking of investing in one of these:

RayCun

robinph wrote: »

I expect they are doing a relay then, each one only following you for a bit until they decide if they like the smell or not. By then you've enticed a few more to join in but the original ones have got knackered and gone to look for a dog instead.

There's only one way to be sure - attach tags to some of their legs, then check back again a few minutes later to see how many tagged flies are with you. (Be sure to use a distinctive tag so you don't end up counting flies someone else has tagged)

Patrick_K

Did I read somewhere that they're attracted to nice smells, deodarants etc?
OP what is your current eau du parfum?

PaulieC

I was out at lunchtime, up at three rock and the feckers were everywhere. So much so that I bailed after 4 miles because they were a complete pain in the hole. Talking to someone afterwards he said that apparently lavender scent keeps them away. Keeps you smelling like an old lady too, which may or may not be a bonus...

finlma

cambo_gueno wrote: »

Talking to someone afterwards he said that apparently lavender scent keeps them away. Keeps you smelling like an old lady too, which may or may not be a bonus...

It just so happens that I have some lavender in the garden. I'll rub some on tomorrow before my run and report back the results.

PaulieC

I think you have to put it on like so



but I'll let you try it out

sconhome

cambo_gueno wrote: »

I think you have to put it on like so



but I'll let you try it out

Can't wait for the headlines in 'More News / Advertiser :

Big Foot spotted on the Coast Road

rom

Never mind your flies. I was stalked by a randy deer when I had to a case of the ginger bread men out running the other week in France. Scared the $hit out of me literally. He then ran off making some ungodly sound. Same deer tried to attack me two day's before too. Spoiled my LSR as it was at the start of it.

LarMan

Had a similar issue in France with midges. They seemed to gather over certain spots on the road and were almost invisible until you got a mouthful.