BajaNomad

Bugs

wlynch43 - 10-24-2016 at 08:12 AM

Have found in the Mulege area, when camping on bay, the flies will drive you insane. When weather cools does fly activity lessen? Worst flies Ive ever seen. Even worse than the horse ranch and stables I spent some time at! Thxs

Russ - 10-24-2016 at 08:50 AM

Not sure about Mulege but here this morning there are a lot fewer flies. First time in 3 weeks I can open all the doors and windows without screens.

redhilltown - 10-25-2016 at 11:30 PM

Just wondering...are you talking about bobos? jejenes? or just regular house flies? But in general when camping further north at least, the winter seems to be a better bet. Regular flies are not fun but the other two have driven me to madness (and that is a very short drive!).

bajabuddha - 10-26-2016 at 10:39 AM

For bobos (the teensy 'no-see-ums' that like eyes and ears) I highly recommend clear vanilla.... for other insects not so much. It's hard to find, but not impossible. Makes you stink purty too.

weebray - 10-26-2016 at 11:20 AM

Bobo's, mosquitos, ticks, buffalo gnats, chiggers whatever. There is only one word that applies, DEET. I first ran into it on the west coast of Colombia back in the 70's. A fellow traveler gave me a tiny bottle of US Army issue 100% DEET. It was a milagro and the milagro continues to this day. All the rest is foo foo water and snake oil.

bkbend - 10-26-2016 at 07:36 PM

I've used the military issue deet and yes, it works. It also melts plastic, synthetic fibers and who knows what it does to your innards. I avoid it these days.

redhilltown - 10-26-2016 at 11:58 PM

Doing the "google" I was surprised that scientists are just now really beginning to understand how DEET works...some of it is kind of creepy. I wouldn't want to use it around my eyes to keep bobos away...on the other hand, I would use pure cyanide/napalm/arsenic to keep the jejenes away from the back of my arms and legs...they are pure evil.

weebray - 10-27-2016 at 06:24 PM

For years studies have been done to prove that DEET causes any number of human maladies. So far nada. We have been using it for over forty years. In any case it is almost always used improperly and possibly harmfully. I have commonly seen people spraying a complete fog around themselves or slathering it on like sunscreen. You need ONE or TWO drops rubbed on your hands and then on any exposed skin. Do not rub it on or near any mucus membranes. This should last for about two hours. We use it around sunset when the critters are out in force. If you are traveling in a heavily infested area wear clothes that has been "treated" in the same manor described for exposed skin.

Alm - 10-28-2016 at 03:21 PM

Quote: Originally posted by wlynch43  
Have found in the Mulege area, when camping on bay, the flies will drive you insane. When weather cools does fly activity lessen?

?
Subj heading says "bugs" and then the question is about "flies".

Any place in Mexico will have household flies all year round. Almost disappear when night temps drop to near zero - this is how cold it should be. Even then, when sun warms it up around noon, they come out of sh-tholes where they were hibernating.

OTH, if you mean bugs, there are more after rainy season and near flood-able river valleys. Both these factors are in effect at the time and place you're asking about. Like people said, - go North. Cooler in winter and more desert. End of October is not a winter yet.

BajaBlanca - 10-29-2016 at 04:52 PM

To be honest, for the first time in the decade we have been living here, our problem has been mosquitoes.

Hundreds of them around the house and they sneak in when you enter or leave. Nothing like it ever before.

TMW - 10-29-2016 at 07:14 PM

Blanca it may be because of the hurricanes the past couple of years leaving a lot of standing water.

weebray - 10-30-2016 at 07:24 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  
To be honest, for the first time in the decade we have been living here, our problem has been mosquitoes.

Hundreds of them around the house and they sneak in when you enter or leave. Nothing like it ever before.



Weird, Here in La P we have seen a significant drop. Maybe it's the fog of Malathion we live in?

bajajudy - 10-30-2016 at 07:43 AM

Rosemary oil works for bobos!

motoged - 10-30-2016 at 08:33 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajajudy  
Rosemary oil works for bobos!


And it's lovely on a prime rib and lamb... ;)

A pretty remarkable herb....

[Edited on 10-30-2016 by motoged]

surabi - 10-30-2016 at 09:03 PM

No Alm, " everywhere in Mexico" does not have flies. I live in PV area and there are no flies where I live. I have found them particularly bad in Baja, though.

redhilltown - 11-1-2016 at 11:58 PM

Maybe the real answer is Tequila...because after a while, you just don't really care???

Hook - 11-2-2016 at 12:12 PM

One extremely effective and cheap method of combating local mosquitos (unless you are living right next to the source of the mosquitos) is a mixture of water and ammonia in a spray bottle. About 5-10 percent.

Next, you need to determine where mosquitoes are hunkering down in the night. They tend to find a wind-protected area and land for the night. Think back to the times you have left your car windows down and found the cab filled with mosquitoes, especially the floorboard area.

The best way to find these areas is to look for them around dawn, before they take to flight. Spray their area with them in it. Notice how they are knocked down immediately and are writhing on the ground. Very effective and cheap AND the ammonia solution dissipates really fast. While sprayed areas are still wet, you can take a cloth to them for some instant cleaning/disinfecting, if desired.

We basically live outside. Our main kitchen is outside. So, the big areas of concentration are behind the fridge, the wine captain, the stove. In short, anything that is up against a wall. If you have outside tables with tablecloths hanging down, they will be under there, too. We really dont use tablecloths. They will also congregate on the outside of window screens, especially if your windows are open. They like the warmer air, coming from the interior.

Often times, interdicting the buggers in these primary areas of collection can provide days of significantly reduced mosquitoes. This is especially true if you are living in a desert area where the mosquitoes only occur for short periods; i.e., no continual source. If you are near a continual source, there are too many for this method to be effective.

Keep in mind that every one you kill NOW can mean dozens to hundreds less down the road. A mosquito's lifespan is short. If your season is only 1-2 months, it can make a difference in successive hatches.

If you cant find ammonia by itself, look for cheap window cleaners at overstock type stores like Waldo (in Mexico) or Big Lots. Make sure they contain ammonia.

Bobos are a completely different subject. When they are bad, the only thing that works for me are the no-see-um mesh headgear, although I have not tried rosemary oil. But rosemary oil can be a real irritant to the skin, if full strength. You would probably need to cut it with another oil, if applying directly to the skin.



[Edited on 11-2-2016 by Hook]

weebray - 11-2-2016 at 12:41 PM

DEET. "A little dab will do you."

willardguy - 11-2-2016 at 01:57 PM

good tips Hook! gracias:yes:

Marc - 11-2-2016 at 05:32 PM

Of course we do not have bugs of any kind in San Francisco or Palm Springs. I do, however, find them quite bothersome when in Mulege. I now carry a Bug-A- Salt rifle. Fill the bowl with salt load up and fire away. Much more satisfying than a swatter.


[Edited on 11-5-2016 by Marc]