Bitting bugs and the colour blue
Submitted: Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 15:40
ThreadID:
41198
Views:
2820
Replies:
8
FollowUps:
6
This Thread has been Archived
Keith J (QLD) bushcamper
A couple of years ago after hearing that the colour blue attracts March/Marsh? Flies on Fraser Is I began to wonder if there was any truth to it and if so were any other bugs attracted to blue.
The shirts I wear at work are either blue or green, the only time I’ve been bothered by March flies since I’ve been aware of the possibility has been when I’ve been wearing blue.
I went to look at a CT for sale before lunch on sunny day set up on short grass and when we got near the blue canvas we were attacked by mossies and inside was worse. The colour was the only reason I didn’t buy that one.
I’ve done a few Google searches and it seems to confirm my suspicions. In one article regarding tree stand hunting the author believes that many blood sucking bugs including ticks are attracted to blue.
This is an extract from this link . Site Link
Perich says mosquitoes can find you in several ways. Some of the cues are visual. Mosquitoes, like other insects, see in the blue, ultraviolet spectrum. So they're attracted to blue lights and clothing, but not to reds and yellows. That's why bug zappers have blue lights and why some people use yellow lights on porches.
Because they're often out at night when they can't see
well, mosquitoes also are attracted by heat and aromas. This explains why some people are more attractive to the insects. They may "smell better" or have a slightly higher body temperature.
Finally mosquitoes are attracted to carbon dioxide — the stuff that comes out of your mouth when you breathe. "You can breathe," Perich jokes. "Just don't exhale.
These days I try to avoid wearing or using anything blue while I’m camping.
Reply By: CLC50 - Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 20:08
Sunday, Jan 14, 2007 at 20:08
MARCH FLY
Well this time of the year, Up on
the Beach ,camping @ Freshwater or North or South. March Flies can spoil your Weekend.
I have discovered that by slow Burning of Coconut Husk ,The Smoke Smell through your
Camp ,which have a nice smell ,(husk only, not the hole rotten Coconut ) No MORE March Flies. So give it a try next Time it Works
They just Leave. I have found that some this Year draw Blood .& this year has been very bad.
Last November some of my sons contractor spent a week end camped on
the beach with me ,They Played Cricket on
the Beach they scored 28 Runs in 1/2 Hour, I won with 74 March Flies Dead ,
IT DOES WORK
Well it does & I discovered it by accident,my son & I were been attached big time early morning Last Year ,
Our camp fire was still warm from the night before so I threw some coconut husk on to get the fire going as we where going to
cook a cheese, bacon & egg Damper later.As soon as the smoke & smell came the march flies went, other times I have sat by the fire & the little Sh------- s still bite
Also Blue is True as
Well, They love my Blue Esk.
IT works don't need much smoke just the smell of the coconut husk Smouldering
AnswerID:
215285
Reply By: Keith J (QLD) bushcamper - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 15:55
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 15:55
There seem to be a few people around of the same opinion, but of all the people I've told about it, none have ever heard it before.
May be if it were common knowledge it would cause a bigger problem than a few insect bites. Imagine if people stoped buying new and used blue coloured items, cars, CTs, tarps, tents, jeans etc. If you think about it there's not much that doesn’t come in blue.
My wife already thinks I'm paranoid, if she reads this I could be posting from the funny
farm.
AnswerID:
215681
Follow Up By: Keith J (QLD) bushcamper - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 16:01
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 16:01
If you have a look at my profile pics you'll see a couple of blue jerry cans.....they're now green.
FollowupID:
475961
Follow Up By: Member - Pesty (SA) - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 16:23
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 16:23
Your not paranoid !!!!, but you painted the jerrycans green ??? hahaha
Bad idea, if you left them blue, you could put them 50 m away and ALL the bugs would be over there out of your hair, now they will be hanging around your
camp, waiting for a blue flash!
Happy camping .
Cheers Pesty
FollowupID:
475965
Follow Up By: Keith J (QLD) bushcamper - Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 17:22
Tuesday, Jan 16, 2007 at 17:22
No......I replaced them with green ones that don't let as much light through......at least that was my excuse any way.
FollowupID:
475978