May and June seem to be the busiest time of the year in Northeast Florida for those nasty yellow flies. You may not notice when they land on you, but you will notice when they bite! I am on a personal mission to reduce the population of these pesky blood-suckers.

I must be allergic to their bites as each time they snack the area swells to the size of a bread plate, turns red, is hot to the touch and I get nauseated. After the swelling goes down, the bites itch like crazy!

These flies, from the Tabanidae family, congregate under the shade of my oak trees along the green belt which is in my backyard. They tend to be most active in the late afternoon and make going outside a risky endeavor this time of the year.

I found this home remedy on Walton Outdoors, courtesy of the South Walton Mosquito Control and they claim it not only provides bite and sting relief from a yellow fly bite, but also mosquitos, chiggers and jellyfish bites.

Ingredients:
1 tsp. baking soda
1/3 cup ammonia (Windex is mostly ammonia)
1/3 tsp. papain (meat tenderizer)
1 crushed aspirin

Directions:
Mix thoroughly and store in refrigerator (be sure to label container). When needed, shake well and apply with cotton swab, and rub briskly.