The information and recommendations in this newsletter are applicable to North Carolina and may not apply in other areas.
The information and recommendations in this newsletter are applicable to North Carolina and may not apply in other areas.
From: Michael G. Waldvogel and Charles S. Apperson, Extension Entomologists, North Carolina State University
There are reports in the news about large clumps of seaweed from the Carribean washing up along the North Carolina beaches as a result of the recent hurricanes. Wet decaying seaweed will become a major breeding site for stable flies which are a particularly aggressive species of biting fly that resembles the common house fly. Stable flies will breed in almost any wet organic materials. As the name implies, they are common pests in stables, dairy cow feedlots and other livestock production areas where their bloodfeeding can have a significant impact on the animals' weight (due to blood loss and feeding disruption). In our coastal communities, the flies will readily take advantage of another food source - tourists. However, the flies are less likely to impact significantly on tourists' weight since they can easliy go indoors to eat pizza and drink beer. Stable flies are known to travel several miles for a good meal so even people living in communities inland from the beaches may see (or more accurately feel) stable fly activity.
The best recommendations for both residents and visitors in our coastal areas would be clothes pins and DEET. Clothes pins should be placed on the nose because the odor of decaying seaweed is reported to resemble a delectable combination of rotting fish and vomit, which may remind some of you of those spring breake beach trips during your college days. Standing upwind of the seaweed deposits may help substantially (not particularly with the flies, but moreso with the odor issue). The flies are particularly fond of biting ankles and the lower leg in general. So, unless you're extremely agile or built like an orangutan, you're not likely to be able to swat the flies very effectively. That said, the flies will certainly not pass up a tasty exposed arm or neck. DEET should be applied (sparingly) to ALL exposed parts of the body. Common flea/tick sprays may provide some protection for outdoor pets. For livestock protection, consult the North Carolina Agricultural Chemicals Manual.
As the seaweed dries out, it becomes unsuitable for fly development. So, a few successive days of hot dry weather may help reduce the problem. However, given the impact that the flies (and rotting seaweed) can have on human activity along the beach, the best recommendation to make is to clean up these areas as quickly as possible.
Similar problems are likely to occur in other parts of the state where flooding has been substantial and there may be large amounts of wet decaying material such as rain-soaked hay bales or animal waste in the case of livestock production areas. So, you may hear some reports from residential communities, particularly those in rural areas near farms.
For additional information about stable flies, see the following web site: http://ipm.ncsu.edu/AG369/notes/stable_fly.html
Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Last modified on September 13, 2004 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.