Yellow fly's, Deer fly's and Mosquitos - Here's the swamp solution

It’s summer swamp hiking in Florida. Yellow flies, deer flies, and mosquitoes can be a major nuisance during the warm summer months, with their bites causing painful welts, ulcers

and discomfort. They are not just a simple annoyance; these insects can also spread diseases such as Yellow Fever, Lyme disease, and Malaria. Therefore, combating these pests effectively is essential for maintaining the health and enjoyment of outdoor spaces.

One common approach to combating these pests is through insecticides. Spraying solutions containing pyrethrin or permethrin can significantly decrease the number of yellow flies, deer flies, and mosquitoes in a given area. These chemicals target the central nervous systems of the insects, leading to paralysis and death. But a lot of these products use chemicals that attack bears, like lemongrass, mint or lavender.

The solution I use is a mosquito suit and some Deet. I wear the whole suit, except for the socks in the swamp or places of high insect activity. I use the socks at camp to let my feet dry. I spray some Deet over my suit. This stops about 98% of the bites.

A good mosquito suit for swamp hiking covers the entire body, including the arms, legs, and head, with lightweight, breathable fabric that is treated with insect repellent. The suit should feature a hood with a fine mesh that allows for visibility while keeping insects at bay. Most importantly, the suit should be lightweight and made of breathable fabric to maintain comfort during hiking, especially in the hot and humid conditions often found in swamps.

Quality mosquito suits often include ingenious features like wrist and ankle cuffs that can be easily adjusted to seal out insects, and they may even have a layer of netting over the shoes to protect the ankles and lower legs. Additionally, the suit should be durable enough to withstand the rough terrain and vegetation typical of swamp environments, while not sacrificing the flexibility and freedom of movement needed for hiking. If you are thur-hiking, I would bring a small needle and thread for occasional repairs. So if your swamp hiking, everglades camping or a U.S, Forestry department making you’re rounds, this my be the solution for you.

A link to the one I used on the Florida Trail is on the bottom area of the first page at: brushybert.com in my “Gear Connection” area.