flies in central oz

[How007]

does anyone know of an effective product that can keep the flies at bay? Currently at uluru and heading to Alice via kings canyon and the loop. Not too worried about mozzies and midges but the flies are driving the kids crazy.

[Swogjb]

A product called Dessert Dwellers works well.
Also Rosmary and Cedarwood  cream is good.

I have worked up in that country and unfortunately sometimes after rain the flys are that friendly that the good old fashioned fly net had to come out.

[markg66]

Bushmans 40%...........brilliant

[Woodsie]

Bushmans 40%...........brilliant

x2

[DropBearRacing]

Bushmans 40%...........brilliant

Yep thats the one

[Axl]

I've worked in the Cooper Basin for 18 years and as Swogjb has said after rain the only relief will be a fly net, it rained out here in central Australia about 4 weeks ago and there has been an explosion of flies of the likes that I haven't seen for many years, we are waiting for the weather to get really cold as that will knock the little buggers on the head.

We have used all the repellents you can name over the years and none of them will work for longer than 5 minutes in these conditions, the only one we have found to work longer than that is a natural product called Nature's Botanical http://www.naturesbotanical.biz/products.html, it is made of natural oils form cedarwood and rosemary (as mentioned above) but I have no idea where to (or if you could) buy it in central Aus.

As said above the next best would be Bushman's but it won't work for long so if you can grab the kids (and yourselves) some fly nets.

[Glenno]

After dealing with them last year whilst doing the Simo, they definately make life challenging when in that plague proportions !!!!

Fly nets where our only relief. Might buy some of that stay though Axl to give it a go for next time


G

[Paul (SA)]

I hope the little blighters are gone by June! Had enough of them on our last trip in SA.

[ozstickman]

What ever you do don't kill any!! You kill one and it seems 3 zillion of them show up for the funeral!!!


Sent from my Ring-a-ding-a-ling

[letsgo]

I think you need to mix it up a bit, it's like they get use to products so you need to change what you use.

We use Ya Mate https://www.loveoilco.com/products/2/Ya-Mate_Insect_Repellant
A Birdsville local put us onto Nature's Botanical, like he said it stinks but they all use it so they stink together http://www.naturesbotanical.biz/products.html

They drink Areoguard. Also use the insect repellent OFF. That seems more effective on mossies than flies though.

Fly Hat a must. You can buy nets that go over your existing hat, only a few dollars from a junkie shop.


I made this to really get away from the flies I bought a large mozzie net you put over a bed, sewed fishing sinkers along the bottom to hold the net down and in place and throw it over a beach umbrella, held in place by some velcro on the top. 2 seats can fit under and it works a treat, quick to set up and gives us a reprieve from the flies.



Personally don't like the ones with high DEET in them even though they do work.

Good Luck

[Pete_R]

We've just arrived back home after a trip around Outback NSW. There were that many flies up at Cameron Corner & Tibooburra & the Bushmans only worked for the 1st couple of minutes. Only way to go was a fly net or try to keep shooing the buggers away

[Swogjb]

Bushmans 40%...........brilliant

After rain up in that country I found the Bushmans to actually attract the little bastards.

[woolgoolgaoffroad]

the good thing about heading into winter is that it will kill off a few of the little buggers

[prodigyrf]

Definitely Natures Botanicals (previously Desert Dwellers) Cedar and Rosemary crème but I note they are out of stock on their website due to processing equipment failure but I got a 120g jar from here-
http://www.adelaidesafety.com.au/
Looks like you can order it online but forget the spray and roll-on and go for the crème as a little bit goes a long way and even with postage it's still great value compared to any other pretenders. Trap and skeet shooters use it because you can't shoot with a net and it's the next best thing.

[marvellous_matt]

Desert Blend is a similar product  to Desert Dwellers, sold at Lone Dingo in Alice Springs (Todd Mall). Available in a large tubs as well.
Im a fan of the fly net.

[Silvo]

bushmans did nothing on my recent trip our west.. the little buggers were everywhere.. with the wife and kids being affected so much, we actually turned around and headed towards the coast a bit.. seemed to work

[Frostd]

Last year we went from the fly nets  over a cap, to the hat with fly nets sown in, as they little blighters were getting in through the gaps.  It makes for interesting drinking sessions. You will consume at least one mouth full of beer/wine through the net. lol.  In Cobber Peddy, we found an ointment, which nearly every shop sold.  I cant recall the name, but it wasnt the one's listed.  It worked quite well, but still needed the nets.
The two styles, flies included.

[marvellous_matt]

Desert Blend is a similar product  to Desert Dwellers, sold at Lone Dingo in Alice Springs (Todd Mall). Available in a large tubs as well.
Im a fan of the fly net.

[austastar]

Hi,
   Yep, fly net over the hat.


I like the umbrella net idea, we just gave away our umbrella not having used it for many years.  Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!


cheers

[allan.kidd]

I won't go outback around Easter again!

[leigh]

Natures Botanical has Cedar and Rosemary products available again. Just ordered some.
Leigh

[MDS69]

Just remember to buy your fly nets before you leave home otherwise you will pay 4 x the price in the outback. We leave ours in the CT.

[GeoffA]

Just remember to buy your fly nets before you leave home otherwise you will pay 4 x the price in the outback. We leave ours in the CT.

Yep. We keep ours in the camera bag.

[Glenno]

Just remember to buy your fly nets before you leave home otherwise you will pay 4 x the price in the outback. We leave ours in the CT.

As much as I hate wearing them, we definitely have ours with us in 4wd all the time. When you need them, you NEED them

G 

[har05l]

We have a group of 8 vehicles heading out their in Sept so looks like I have a few more items to acquire now