Deer Flies

• Deer flies are distinguished from other flies by their eyes, which are either green or golden. Their wings have dark bands running across them. They are larger than normal houseflies but are smaller than wasps or bees. The males feed on pollen while the females are the ones that bite. They feed on blood and will target horses, cattle and humans. Not only is their bite painful, but people who are allergic to them experience intense itching.
  
  

Natural Repellents

• Natural repellents that are effective against houseflies also work on deer flies. For your skin or your clothing, use essential oils including citronella, lemon and rose geranium to drive them away. For outdoor spaces, create hot pepper spray. Chop up a few cayenne peppers and then pour boiling water over them. Let the peppers and water cool and then strain the water into a spray bottle. It is infused with hot pepper oil, which contains capsaicin, a spicy compound that burns deer flies on contact.
  
  

Use

• Use essential oils by placing between 6 and 10 drops in a 16-ounce spray bottle filled with water. You can use one kind alone or mix them together to create a scent that you find pleasing. Before going outdoors, spray the solution on your skin and clothing, giving it time to dry. It will need to be refreshed every four hours or so. The hot pepper spray can be applied around picnic areas and patios. Spray it in the general area, but don’t spray it on playground equipment or deck chairs directly. This reduces the risk of people coming into contact with it.
  
  

Considerations

• Hot pepper spray can cause skin and eye irritation if you come in direct contact with it. If possible, spray it in an area a few hours before you plan to use it. This repels deer flies yet protects you from potential irritation. In addition to using natural repellent, traps can help reduce the number of deer flies around your home. Place them far away from your house, or else you will just end up drawing more flies to your home and your family.