Are there any herbs or scents that repel flies?
Not many. Black flies are simply dreadful in the bush or up north, with a chomp that is out of proportion to their size. Things that work on them also work on the insidious mosquito. The most effective repellant is DEET. The commercial preparations with the highest effectiveness also have the highest concentration of DEET. However, going beyond 20% DEET is usually not necessary. DEET can cause skin irritation with some people. It will irritate your eyes, so don’t spray it directly on your face. Don’t rub your eyes after applying it without first washing your hands. The best defence, apart from DEET, is a physical barrier. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks and shoes, tight collars, hats, gloves, and head nets all work. Seal every point of access. This may be a little uncomfortable in hot and humid weather, but it will help prevent you getting whoozy from the loss of blood. 🙂 There are a few popular or home-brewed repeallants that may work in a limited fashion. These range all the
