You're at a backyard BBQ, you've got your Mozzigear bands on, the mozzies are handled - but the flies are still relentlessly going for your face.
It's a fair question: does mosquito repellent actually work on flies too? And if not, what does?
The honest answer is: it depends on the product and the type of fly. Here's what you need to know.
What's the difference between mosquito repellent and insect repellent?
This is where the labelling matters.
Products specifically formulated and registered as "mosquito repellents" are optimised for mosquitoes. Their active ingredients and concentrations are assessed for effectiveness against Aedes, Culex and Anopheles species - the main mosquito groups in Australia.
Broad-spectrum "insect repellents" are formulated to cover a wider range of insects including flies, midges, sandflies, ticks and mosquitoes. DEET-based products tend to function more broadly because DEET affects the olfactory system of many insect species, not just mosquitoes. PMD and picaridin also show some effectiveness against flies, though varying by species.
Does Mozzigear work on flies, sandflies and midges?
This is worth being honest about: Mozzigear's wearable products are primarily formulated and registered for mosquito protection. Whether they provide meaningful repellency against common Australian blowflies or bush flies is not what they're assessed for.
Sandflies (Culicoides species) and midges are a genuine issue along the Australian coast, particularly in Queensland, NSW and WA, and many DEET-free mosquito repellents do provide some deterrence against these insects as well, given the similar sensory mechanisms involved.
For broader insect protection, Mozzigear Natural Armour Spray is designed to repel mosquitoes, black flies, sand flies, midges and stable flies for up to 6 hours, and ticks for up to 4 hours. It uses OLE - oil of lemon eucalyptus/Citriodiol as its natural active ingredient, making it a practical DEET-free option for camping, bush walks, coastal holidays and outdoor family adventures.
What actually works for common Aussie flies?
For the classic Australian bush fly (Musca vetustissima) the face-annoying kind that doesn't bite but drives everyone crazy — the most effective deterrents are:
Saluting a great Australian: The bush fly. From: www.abc.net.au
- Physical barriers: a wide-brim hat with a fly net is the most effective thing when flies are bad. Not elegant, but genuinely useful in the bush.
- Fans: flies, like mosquitoes, are poor fliers in wind. A fan at an outdoor BBQ area disrupts flies significantly.
- Keeping food covered: flies are attracted by food smell and moisture. Covered dishes and clean surfaces reduce fly numbers in your immediate area.
- Citronella-based repellents: some people report that citronella has a mild deterrent effect on flies, though the evidence is not strong.
- DEET-based repellents: provide some fly deterrence for exposed skin, particularly against species that land and probe before biting.
What to use when both flies and mozzies are a problem
For mixed insect pressure "the typical Aussie summer outdoor situation" a layered approach makes sense:
Mozzigear bands and spray handle the mosquito threat. A fan or fly net handles the flies. Keeping food covered and surfaces clean reduces overall insect attraction.
For sandflies and midges specifically, applying spray to exposed ankles, wrists and neck - the areas these insects target - is the most practical approach.
