Black fly season has come early this year thanks to the warm weather we’ve been enjoying. Traditional chemical repellents don’t do the trick and are full of harmful toxins, but there are some natural ways to beat back those little beasties.
Watch the video here or follow the recipes below;
Greenmoxie’s Shoo Fly! Black Fly Repellent Recipe
Mix 2 cups water with 1/4 cup of vinegar and 10 drops of spearmint, mint or peppermint essential oils. Spray pets, family members, strollers, clothing and around doors and windows.
Lemon Multi-purpose Pest Control Spray
Mix together 1/2 cup of warm water, with 10 drops of lemon juice, and witch hazel in a spray bottle and spritz it around your doorways, windowsills, and anywhere else you tend to see flies. Witch hazel is a plant extract that is commonly used as an astringent, skin toner, and natural remedy which has been shown to be effective against a variety of pests, including flies. You can also apply this spray on your skin for protection from biting insects. If you don’t have witch hazel on hand, try using vinegar instead. This natural pest control spray will not only help keep flies away but will also leave your home smelling fresh and clean.
Wear the right clothing
When in doubt, ask yourself: Would Indiana Jones wear this? Always opt for white, beige, khaki or other lightly colored clothing as biting bugs are attracted to dark hues.
A great way to prevent getting bitten is to cover up. If it’s very warm, opt for cool organic cottons and other breathable fabrics.
Minty Goodness
Mint, spearmint and peppermint are great deterrents for black flies. Growing your own mint is really easy. Add a couple of drops of 
essential oil to your body lotion, to the final rinse of your laundry or just dab some on your clothing. Applying essential oils directly to skin may cause reactions or rashes.
You can also make a minty spray that combines not only a minty smell, but the power of vinegar too.
Lemon eucalyptus oil
This product from down under is also a great way to keep those flies at bay. Dab some on clothing or add 10 to 15 drops to a cup of water in a bottle and spray the flies away. Other oils you can buy include sassafras, pennyroyal, lavender, eucalyptus, lemon balm and cedar.
Notoriously itchy and achy, black fly bites are the pits. You can mitigate some of the discomfort by applying aloe vera or witch hazel to affected areas.
Snake problems? See snake repellents here.