I have noticed a couple of mentions of biting deerflies at Mason Neck and
Occoquan, and
thought I would pass on a recommendation for deerfly patches that we use
when banding there
in the summer. The patches are essentially double sided sticky tape that
you attach to the
back of your hat.. I don't know if they contain any
attractive odors or other chemicals, but they really work. The last full
day of banding
at Mason Neck, I must have had at least 40 - 50 of them stuck to my patch.
If it hadn't been
for these patches I am not sure if we would have been able to continue with
the banding
program. Not only do the bites hurt, they itch afterwards. I get my
patches from
Lee Valley Tools:
http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=10293&cat=2,51555&ap=2
but possibly they can be had from other places as well. We passed on the
info to the
refuge staff and they wear them also.
Joanna B. Taylor
Arlington, VA
jandrtaylor@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
