Marchfly repellant.

the 'Bushman' product is supposed to be good, the wife suffers from mossie & sand/marhc fly bites so we'llbe trying this product out next trip...

Cya
Graham
++++++++++++++++++++
here's copy of emial I received when I asked where it could be purchased...

Your local chemist can get Bushman from their pharmacy wholesaler (Sigma,
API or Fauldings) otherwise phone your local camping, disposal or fishing
tackle stores. Also Mitre 10 hardware stores will be launching Bushman in
all their 740 outlets later this month.

Our Victorian distributor is Downes Brokerage in Melbourne, The contact is
Anthony Downes on (03) 9555 2833.

Thank you for your enquiry,

Tom Bethurem

Nth Qld Laboratories Pty Ltd
P.O. Box 11M Manunda Qld
Australia 4870
Ph: 61 (7) 4054 6020/4033 2441
Fax: 61 (7) 4054 7217

Email: nqlabs@bushman-repellent.com
http://www.bushman-repellent.com

I warned people about the dunny budgies... They are HUGE and dont give up!

They also drove us mad last time we were up there...

Dock,

Aprt from the bugs, how were conditions down (up?) there anyway?

Doc,
I lived in Darwin for two years and had an endless battle with all types of insects whilst night fishing. One day I was given a simple recipe which worked wonders. 1/3 baby oil to 2/3 dettol. Shake it vigourously until they blend together and smear it on. It even kept the dreaded sand flies away and if you think marsh flies are bad, wait till you encounter those minute bugge*s. Try it you'll be surprised.

we know how you feel dock we just got back from jamieson after 5 days we tried eveything the best thing we found was the good ols thong lol there so slow wasnt had to hit

Dock, We use the Dettol/baby oil mix mentioned above, but for people that suffer allergic, or severe irritation, my wife recommends a 50/50 mix of black tea and metho. Apply this mix to bites and it will help to soothe them, and relieve the itching. For the macho's amongst us, they can take it internally!

We live on the Diamantina River, so have plenty of sandflies after a flood to try these on.

As for Bushman, have found it really hard on skin, and tends to burn in high ambient temps. We also use "OFF" Skintastic to keep bush flies, mozzies, sandflies etc away. Feel it's the best,ie comfortable repellant.

Was down the Cox River, behind Warragamba Dam, about 40 years ago, and friend & I went fishing, leaving our horses tied up, while he caught some breakfast. When we got back, the horses muzzles were dripping with blood, where the March flies had attacked them. Thats the worst have ever seen them, would make camping a misery. Regards..

Dock

Bushman works a treat, the gel is better than the spray but a word of warning DO NOT get the stuff on your lips nose eyes etc and careful with plastics like sunglasses as it will react to the plastic. If you can put up with these minor problems pesky bugs will be a thing of the past.

Dock,we have allways found that a good dose of scotch taken internaly works wonders,,bundy rum however seems to attract the nasties, :)

Dock, Try this one for size as I have found it very successful with sand flies & midgies. Mix 100mL of canola oil,30 drops eucalytus oil,10 drops basil oil, & 10 drops of citronella oil. Apply a little to the palm of the hand & rub it on the exposed areas. Be careful not to apply it to mouth & eye areas. It has a pleasant aroma & use it every 2 to 3 hours. The eucalyptus oil on its own is good to treat insect bites as well. I always carry a bottle of it in my first aid box.

Mmmmm.......For Marshflies do NOT wear anything BLUE. Them flies just loooove that colour!!

For the rest..........Avon sells a product Skin So Soft, Bug Guard, Mosquito Repellent. It is a spray on type. Has some Citronella Oil as an ingredient. Works a treat. Smells good too !! Call your Avon lady :-) Cheers, Willie

They seem to like wet skin to attack. Sweaty or just wet. I REALLY HATE IT when one gets you just as you settle down.... floating on a lilo in the middle of a lovely waterhole on a warm day. You know one of those days when the water is just a bit too cold to swim in but nice to dangle you hand or tootsie in..... then AAAARGH! SPLASH!

Just a question. Are the March fly's numbers that high because of cattle in the high country? Don't get me wrong I' m not against it, they do a great job with blackberries. Just wondering, they need blood cattle a lot of blood!!

Repel made by Beyer and available from all supermarkets leaves everything else for dead on March/Horse flies.

Just returned myself this morning from the High Country. We had to come home two days early as the fridge is full of fish.

Dock, I use Thursday Plantation's "Walkabout" repellent which is a blend of Tea Tree Oil and Citronella and find it works against the NSW cousins of your Vic High Country Marchies. I have been cursed with sensitive skin which breaks out in rashes in response to lots of skincare products but find the Walkabout is great. I usually try to stay covered up anyway to avoid sunburn.

A few years ago my husband and I were driven out of Island Bend by the March flies which were in plague proportions. After seeing another tormented camper run screaming with frustration down and bank and plunge into the cold river for a few minutes relief we packed up and headed over to Thredbo Diggings where there were hardly any flies. Seems inexplicable that such a short distance can make such a difference.

Just a word to say thanks for all the different suggestions on the chemical war on marchies. Will try them out as they become available.Actually the Whisky idea sounds as though it could worth doing some further research on!

As a youngster, learned that reason for learning to ride whilst holding reins in one hand was so you always had a spare hand for swatting the little buggers. Still seems to work.....