VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla.,None — A tiny yellow fly that doesn't look like much packs a painful bite and they are swarming Volusia and Flagler counties this year. While they don't carry any diseases, their bite feels like a serrated knife against your skin.
They are just tiny insects, but Volusia and Flagler officials have been flooded with complaints about the yellow fly. It has a big, scientific name, but simply put it's a very aggressive biting fly.
"The more you move, the more they come after you. So, can't hardly get away from one once they're after you," said Jonas Stewart, Volusia County Mosquito Control.
Mosquito control experts have received more calls about the flies than mosquitoes recently and spraying doesn't control the flies.
The latest problem is actually because of last year's flooding and rain; those breeding grounds have created a crop of flies that are driving humans and animals crazy.
"They basically kind of lacerate the skin, which forms a pool of blood. Then they'll lap that up," Stewart said.
Scientists have been collecting specimens regularly in central Volusia County. Although they had complaints, WFTV had a hard time finding people who'd been bitten.
Horses are, in fact, the most victimized, because they're huge and almost defenseless targets.
"The fix for your yard is cheap and simple. It involves a jug like this, painted black and covered in sticky coating to trap the bugs," Stewart said.
The sticky stuff is available free at your local AG extension office.
Experts say there are no diseases associated with the bugs, just pain and swarms that will continue to pester for several weeks.
"As far as we know, it's just an annoyance," Stewart said.
The yellow fly has a life cycle of about a year and by the time they start biting they're close to dying. So, experts say, getting rid of standing water doesn't really help control the problem, because today's biting swarms were actually born last summer.
WFTV
