[The Urban Spaceman]

So, we moved to Lakeview Terrace. Our neighbors on both sides have horses - lots of horses. I like watching the horses - they're kinda cool to watch, especially for this city boy who never really saw many horses and stuff.

So my new favorite place to sit and medicate is on my front porch. We have a really nice, big front yard and I enjoy sitting there looking at the nice flowers and plants the previous owner planted... except for one small problem. well, not really ONE - but HUNDREDS. Flies that is. When i go out there during the day there are literally HUNDREDS of flies out there. THere had to be 30 of em sitting on my chair yesterday with another 20 or 30 flying around the porch area. and the second i sat down to smoke they started landing on me and flying in my face and stuff...

now i hadn't been smoking much during the day so i've just been doing it in the house, so i have been going out there mostly at night - no flies at night. but MAN - i don't even wanna go out there at all now during the day. it's creepy having like 10 flies trying to land on ya.

so.... does anybody have any ideas for fly repellents? they HAVE to be non toxic. we want to be able to bring the birds out front to sit on the porch with us... so no nasty chemicals, ok?

but seriously - i need some help here cuz i am gonna go nuts never being able to sit out there due to the overpopulation problem...

so whadda ya got for flies, weedtrackers? help a spaceman out if ya can.

thanks and much love
Spacey

[sandyacres]

Hey, Spacey.

I'd try lighting a Citronella candle near your chair about 15 minutes before you go outside. That should clear them away. Citronella candles are a natural product and you can find them easily (and inexpensively) at Wal-Mart or Target.

Here's what Wikipedia says about Citronella oil, the active ingredient in these candles:

Citronella oil is one of the essential oils obtained from the leaves and stems of different species of Cymbopogon. The oil is used extensively as a source of perfumery chemicals such as citronellal, citronellol and geraniol. These chemicals find extensive use in soap, perfumery, cosmetic and flavouring industries throughout the world.[1]

Citronella oil is also a renowned plant-based insect repellent, and has been registered for this use in the United States since 1948.[2] The EPA considers oil of citronella as a biopesticide with a non-toxic mode of action.[3] Research also shows that citronella oil has strong antifungal properties,[4][5] and is effective in calming barking dogs.[

Best of Luck!

[The Urban Spaceman]

Originally Posted by sandyacres

Hey, Spacey.

I'd try lighting a Citronella candle near your chair about 15 minutes before you go outside. That should clear them away. Citronella candles are a natural product and you can find them easily (and inexpensively) at Wal-Mart or Target.

Here's what Wikipedia says about Citronella oil, the active ingredient in these candles:

Citronella oil is one of the essential oils obtained from the leaves and stems of different species of Cymbopogon. The oil is used extensively as a source of perfumery chemicals such as citronellal, citronellol and geraniol. These chemicals find extensive use in soap, perfumery, cosmetic and flavouring industries throughout the world.[1]

Citronella oil is also a renowned plant-based insect repellent, and has been registered for this use in the United States since 1948.[2] The EPA considers oil of citronella as a biopesticide with a non-toxic mode of action.[3] Research also shows that citronella oil has strong antifungal properties,[4][5] and is effective in calming barking dogs.[

Best of Luck!

allright then! when I Googled "Fly Repellent" all I got was stuff with chemicals in it... they have those candles at hardware stores like OSH and Home Depot also - but i thought they were only for mosquitoes! I will pick some up today.

I forgot to mention - i bought this thing called a "fly trap" which is basically a plastic bag you fill with water and hang up near where the flies are... well - the bags have an ATTRACTANT in them - so i ended up with twice as many flies as before. I had to get rid of the trap!

so thanks - i was thinking i wasn't gonna be sitting out there!

[alohakid]

Ive had horses all my life...... fans. We used fans in the summer to keep the horses cool and keep the flies off of them. Apparently they don't like the wind blowing on them. We also had an organic pest control system that was on a timer. It really kept the problem down. Too bad your neighbors don't have such a system set up.

[gopers]

Fly strips help also. You know the sticky paper rolled up. The fly traps with the attactant are nasty. When we had horses, to keep the fly population down, you need to muck everyday! We would catch garden spiders and put them on and around the barn, we bought praying mantis's egss, those suckers can eat! Fans also work. We installed outdoor ceiling fans on our patio, no fly's. We also had fans in the barn, they are made for the bovine industry. Bottom line is, your neighbors horse crap is the leading cause. I don't think they are going to remove their horse's for you. But, what you might do, is ask them what they do to keep the flys off them on their patios. Now of course you might get some serious reactions.

[The Urban Spaceman]

Originally Posted by gopers

Fly strips help also. You know the sticky paper rolled up. The fly traps with the attactant are nasty. When we had horses, to keep the fly population down, you need to muck everyday! We would catch garden spiders and put them on and around the barn, we bought praying mantis's egss, those suckers can eat! Fans also work. We installed outdoor ceiling fans on our patio, no fly's. We also had fans in the barn, they are made for the bovine industry. Bottom line is, your neighbors horse crap is the leading cause. I don't think they are going to remove their horse's for you. But, what you might do, is ask them what they do to keep the flys off them on their patios. Now of course you might get some serious reactions.

ok, so i need me some candles, some fans, some spiders and praying mantises and i gotta ask my neighbors (who are really nice, friendly folk) what they are using that keeps the flies at bay...
i wouldn't want em to remove the horses anyway - we like seeing them...

by the way - the aroma of MMJ seems to attract em too...

[kusher]

spaceman, get used to it. if you have horses around you're gonna have flies. winter is coming and the problem will deminish. the candles are o.k. but if theres a breeze, forget it. fly strips work o.k. also. you may have to change your on screen name to "fly killer". just kidding.

Those electric fly zappers work better than any sticky fly strip on the farm,.
If you have chickens they love the fresh zapped fly crispies too,.

as always,. The bigger the better,.

[Waterfall]

Well they wouldnt be buzzing around you if you were not SOOOO DAMN SWEET!!!
It has been said, but fans and a bug zapper is the ticket.

[koudekerk]

Eqyss Marigold spray is non toxic and keeps flies from landing on you. The only problem I see is it seems they no longer sell it in CA. All Eqyss products are fabulous and environmentally friendly. I use their shampoos and sprays on myself and my Great Danes.

http://eqyss.com/marigold_spray.asp

[The Urban Spaceman]

Originally Posted by kusher

spaceman, get used to it. if you have horses around you're gonna have flies. winter is coming and the problem will deminish. the candles are o.k. but if theres a breeze, forget it. fly strips work o.k. also. you may have to change your on screen name to "fly killer". just kidding.

i don't really mind a FEW flies... but when you have 20 of em flying in yer face - it's dang hard to concentrate on smoking LOL... i guess I'll just get out the shotgun!
seriously tho - i will get some strips and an electric zapper too... i will try the entire arsenal.

Originally Posted by Yoda

Those electric fly zappers work better than any sticky fly strip on the farm,.
If you have chickens they love the fresh zapped fly crispies too,.

as always,. The bigger the better,.

so we don't have any chickens - will Parrots do? they like snacks!

Originally Posted by Waterfall

Well they wouldnt be buzzing around you if you were not SOOOO DAMN SWEET!!!
It has been said, but fans and a bug zapper is the ticket.

i know, i know, i am a sweetie for sure - but i really think they are attracted by the smell of some good OG too... they were REALLY going crazy for some Green C yesterday... that floral smell!

[spings]

Don't know if this works, but read that small sachets of crushed mint will discourage flies. So will potted swet basil plants. Good luck

[zbestwun2001]

The fact that you are having this problem suprises me.

Why don't you just use Gort's flame thrower and fry their asses?

Just a thought remember I do love PEACE!

but fry them!!!

zb

Originally Posted by alohakid

Ive had horses all my life...... fans. We used fans in the summer to keep the horses cool and keep the flies off of them. Apparently they don't like the wind blowing on them. We also had an organic pest control system that was on a timer. It really kept the problem down. Too bad your neighbors don't have such a system set up.

We also use a fan on our patio to keep the flies away. My Husband is very sensitive to chemicals and this works well!

[The Urban Spaceman]

Originally Posted by zbestwun2001

The fact that you are having this problem suprises me.

Why don't you just use Gort's flame thrower and fry their asses?

Just a thought remember I do love PEACE!

but fry them!!!

zb

well, that was my FIRST thought - have Gort fan the area with the heat ray... and stand there the whole time i am sitting there guarding me. but he claims to be a pacifist now. says killing is wrong, that all life is sacred. can ya imagine that, i have the only Buddhist Robot in the Galaxy!

[The Urban Spaceman]

Originally Posted by cricketsmom

We also use a fan on our patio to keep the flies away. My Husband is very sensitive to chemicals and this works well!

we have the Parrots too cricketsmom... their respiratory systems are VERY sensitive to chemicals. we don't even have any non-stick cookware because of how delicate they are.

we can't use anything that emits toxic fumes - but these suggestions all seem good. and i will use em all.

or i will just give in and sit inside to medicate... depends on who is the toughest, me or the flies (I have a feeling they outnumber me and will win in the end LOL)

[jokerdewd]

Originally Posted by The Urban Spaceman

we have the Parrots too cricketsmom... their respiratory systems are VERY sensitive to chemicals. we don't even have any non-stick cookware because of how delicate they are.

we can't use anything that emits toxic fumes - but these suggestions all seem good. and i will use em all.

or i will just give in and sit inside to medicate... depends on who is the toughest, me or the flies (I have a feeling they outnumber me and will win in the end LOL)

There is one product you can purchase called CAMICIDE. Available at your local bird store or on the net. It comes with a handy sprayer and will not hurt the birdies.

[STEVE-O]

Originally Posted by kusher

spaceman, get used to it. if you have horses around you're gonna have flies. winter is coming and the problem will deminish. the candles are o.k. but if theres a breeze, forget it. fly strips work o.k. also. you may have to change your on screen name to "fly killer". just kidding.

Good point about the winter coming & problem diminishing. Spacey, my brother, I do feel for ya. I used to live in a guest house in Sunland. Me being a city boy, I was not used to the flies !!! I LOVE Horses..... I HATE Flies !!!!

Good news is.....the fans will help alot !!

Bad news is.....It gets MUCH WORSE IN THE HOT SUMMER !! LOL/JK

Good luck & God bless you Bro-

STEVE-O

[BabyBoomer]

Is it possible to screen in the porch area?

I don't know how you stand that many around you. Just one can be so distracting.

eeeewwwweeee

So they like the meds huh? Do they fly around funny when exposed? I was just thinking of some cheap entertainment. hahahahaha

That is a tough one, no chemicals around the birdies.

Hugs and head scratches to all. Hope Costa is getting better.













.

[The Urban Spaceman]

Originally Posted by STEVE-O

Good point about the winter coming & problem diminishing. Spacey, my brother, I do feel for ya. I used to live in a guest house in Sunland. Me being a city boy, I was not used to the flies !!! I LOVE Horses..... I HATE Flies !!!!

Good news is.....the fans will help alot !!

Bad news is.....It gets MUCH WORSE IN THE HOT SUMMER !! LOL/JK

Good luck & God bless you Bro-

STEVE-O

so STEVE-O... I hope ya got my message about calling last night... sorry bro. i blame it on the combo bowl i had right after we talked on the phone... i say NEVER mix a bowl of Green C and Super Sour D together! at least not if you expect to remember stuff!

Originally Posted by BabyBoomer

Is it possible to screen in the porch area?

I don't know how you stand that many around you. Just one can be so distracting.

eeeewwwweeee

So they like the meds huh? Do they fly around funny when exposed? I was just thinking of some cheap entertainment. hahahahaha

That is a tough one, no chemicals around the birdies.

Hugs and head scratches to all. Hope Costa is getting better.



.

so it would be kinda hard to screen it in... you'll have to come see it. you have to come visit soon anyway! Doc misses ya!

so yeah - they get stoned and fly all erratically! it is kinda funny.... but at the same time annoying as hell....

Costa is doing great! we are pals again!

[The Urban Spaceman]

Originally Posted by jokerdewd

There is one product you can purchase called CAMICIDE. Available at your local bird store or on the net. It comes with a handy sprayer and will not hurt the birdies.

doing a Google search right now - thanks!

[Badmf]

Errr... wet suit? LOL I would screen in the area, its cheaper and no flies or anything will bother you again. Or become a really good marksman with a BB gun, ha ha haaa.

[The Urban Spaceman]

Originally Posted by Badmf

Errr... wet suit? LOL I would screen in the area, its cheaper and no flies or anything will bother you again. Or become a really good marksman with a BB gun, ha ha haaa.

well, i stopped wearing shorts. now only long pants. that helps some but they still fly in my face and land on my arms.

the area would be difficult to screen in... not impossible but not very practical.
i would rather use my .22 - they are BIG flies. Horseflies! i think a BB gun would just piss them off!

[jokerdewd]

Originally Posted by The Urban Spaceman

doing a Google search right now - thanks!

Check out the BIOGANIC line. They have insecticide free flying critter spray
and it works.

[Fatal3]

http://www.gardenmandy.com/5-homemad...nts-that-work/

Natural ways to avoid mosquito bites are:

* Eat a lot of garlic. It does not only repel mosquitoes it is also great for your overall health.
* Do not use perfumes as they attract mosquitoes. Remember that you shampoo, deodorant and skin care probably also contain perfume.
* Plant natural repellents such as marigold, lavender and rosemary around the yard, especially around your deck.
* Don’t use clothing with contrasting colors. Then the mosquitoes will see you better.
* Get a bat. If you build or buy a bat house, a bat may move in and start killing thousands of mosquitoes every night.

http://www.thedailygreen.com/environ...ellents-460608