March Flies!!!!!

Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 21:15
ThreadID: 55222 Views:5258 Replies:10 FollowUps:8
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Are they always this bad in Vic?? Never been here at this time of year before and they seem to carry us away each morning in the bush!! They also seem to be very fond of anything light blue at present.
We were folding up one of the tarps the other morning while packing up camp, and they went balistic.
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Reply By: Footloose - Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 21:21

Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 21:21
Yes, those Mexicans breed em special to keep the tourists away. Just wait till our cane toads get down that way. :)))
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Reply By: Crackles - Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 21:31

Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 21:31
No this year has been particually bad and coincided with huge numbers of cicada's as well. They certainly aren't everywhere though as on recent trips to both the Buckland Valley & Woods Point we had almost none. They have actually almost gone compared to xmas time :-)
Cheers Craig...........
AnswerID: 291006

Follow Up By: warfer69 - Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 21:48

Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 21:48
Amazing Huh it aint so over the other side of the hill Enoch Point (big river) Thought they were going to carry us away craig....

Not to mention the bunny population is on its way back,Although i have not seen any around Jamieson/Woods Point. What about you


Cheers

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Follow Up By: Crackles - Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 21:59

Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 21:59
Yes plenty of young rabbits about in general but doesn't normally take the virus long to level them out.
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Reply By: Motherhen - Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 21:56

Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 21:56
In the SW of WA we have no March flies. Usually they come in droves by February. We also have no red gum blossom, and there seems to be a link. No red gum blossom - no winter rains - OUCH. I'd rather have the March flies.

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AnswerID: 291027

Follow Up By: 93 Navara - Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 22:25

Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 22:25
or Marsh flies
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Reply By: Steve from Top End Explorer Tours - Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 22:28

Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 22:28
If you swat a march fly on yourself, it leaves a cent on you that attracts more March flies.

Cheers Steve.
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 22:42

Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 22:42
Sneeky buggers !
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Follow Up By: Michael ( Moss Vale NSW) - Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 22:55

Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 22:55
Who keeps telling the flies it's March? We should go straight from February to April... problem solved... Michael.
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Follow Up By: Footloose - Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 23:01

Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 23:01
Michael, love the lateral thinking. But doing that might upset the Romans in government...imagine how many less days they'd be in power...it would never "fly" heheheh
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Follow Up By: Member - Cruiser (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 06, 2008 at 12:57

Thursday, Mar 06, 2008 at 12:57
"Who keeps telling the flies it's March? We should go straight from February to April... problem solved.."

They are actually Marsh Flies. Being lazy buggers who like to bastardise the english language, we Australians have in our laziness turned it into march flies over the generations.

Cheers,

Cruiser
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Reply By: Kiwi & "Mahindra" - Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 22:47

Wednesday, Mar 05, 2008 at 22:47
Hey Uncle hows it going???? Been thinkin of ya everytime I pass a patrol in town.....hope you and Jodie have been travelling fine!!

Gotta give us a little story of whats been doin hey!!

Laura
AnswerID: 291055

Follow Up By: Member - Uncle (NSW) - Thursday, Mar 06, 2008 at 08:26

Thursday, Mar 06, 2008 at 08:26
Image Could Not Be FoundHi Laura,so far all has been well. called around to catch up with you & Nath before we left but forgot you were at Bucky's. Anyway, we had a great run down thru some of the Vic high country,the drive from Suggan Buggan along the Limestone hut tk( I think it's called) was a delight, great scenery, and beautiful clear days, couldn't ask for more. Our first camo was at Willis alongside the Snowy river and had the place to ourselves. Just can't believe how dry things are there either at present.
We went to bed early that night and werewoken at 10.30 by this massive loud crash and bang and the sound of twigs and stones sprying up the side of the campers steel and canvas. We are always wary of big branches when setting up, luckily we'd parked far enough away from this big branch that came down. Id estimate 200 to 300 kilos of weight in it and when it snapped off, the end with the leaves hit the deck 1st, then sprung it back towards the camper and finally rested only 6 or 7 mtrs from us. Nothing like a good scare to keep us on our toes at the start of a holiday eh??!!
We finally moved along, thru Mt hotham and camped a night in Bright(great spot) right alongside the Ovens river, where we had a dip that arvo as she was a bit warmish. Headed for the Vic goldfields from there which is where we are at present for another 4ish weeks. Been very warm, lately and looking at Maryboroughs forecasts on Weatherzone, looks like we are in for some more yet!! Will be in Wedderburn this weekend for the gold festival,for some socialising sounds like its a great event. Patrol is running fantastic, had more pull up Mt Hotham than a float at the gay Mardi Gras. March flies have been nasty, but used to them now, they need rain down here real bad, pity we couldn't send some of the rain from Jervis Bay and Nowra down here! Anyway take care to all and will keep in touch, Unc & Jodes.
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Reply By: CLC50 - Thursday, Mar 06, 2008 at 06:33

Thursday, Mar 06, 2008 at 06:33
Hi All
Well on Noosa north shore to Double Island Point & Fraser Island,
This time of the year they love you,they will even draw Blood.
They Love Blue,& they are attracted to their scent when you kill them.
A couple of years ago ,my son & I discovered if you burn Coconut Husk no more March Flies ,Believe me this works.
But I have no answers for the bottom end of our country as coconuts are hard to find,on the beach.
AnswerID: 291076

Reply By: MEMBER - Darian (SA) - Thursday, Mar 06, 2008 at 12:06

Thursday, Mar 06, 2008 at 12:06
They're bad here too in the famous backwater that is Adelaide - the other day while walking down to the shed I saw 2 flies - its usually only one at most :-o).
AnswerID: 291127

Reply By: GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) - Thursday, Mar 06, 2008 at 13:02

Thursday, Mar 06, 2008 at 13:02
It's because it's a leap year.
It throws their breeding cycle out of whack. Go back next year and it'll be fine.
AnswerID: 291138

Reply By: Member - Bushpig - Thursday, Mar 06, 2008 at 21:06

Thursday, Mar 06, 2008 at 21:06
The burning of coconut husks is supposed to drive them away, so I've heard.

Cheers
jack
AnswerID: 291246

Reply By: Rod E B - Monday, Mar 10, 2008 at 11:09

Monday, Mar 10, 2008 at 11:09
I think you may find they are

Mar S h flies not Mar C h
AnswerID: 291892

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