Hey30A AI
Trending Now
Yellow Fly Season Is Here: How to Fight the Bite in South Walton
Free yellow fly kits available June 17 at Santa Rosa Beach Ace Hardware!
June in South Walton brings beach days, bike rides, backyard dinners, shaded trails, and, unfortunately, yellow flies. These tiny troublemakers are known for showing up during some of the best outdoor months of the year, and their bites can be surprisingly painful.
In Florida, the yellow fly, Diachlorus ferrugatus, is known as a fierce biter. Like mosquitoes, the female yellow fly bites, while males mainly feed on pollen and nectar. Yellow flies are active during the day, often around shaded, wet, wooded areas, and in Florida, they can be seen from March through November, with peak season typically falling from April through June.
Unlike some pests that announce themselves with a buzz, yellow flies can be quiet until the bite is already happening. South Walton Mosquito Control notes that they are often found near tree lines in wet areas and can be especially persistent once they find a target.
How to Protect Yourself
The best defense is to reduce exposed skin. Long sleeves, pants, closed-toe shoes, and hats can all help, especially if you are heading into shaded trails, wooded lots, or damp areas near tree lines. The CDC also recommends loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants for bite protection, along with EPA-registered repellents. Clothing and gear treated with permethrin can also help, but permethrin should not be applied directly to skin.
South Walton Mosquito Control also recommends loose, light-colored clothing and avoiding dark clothing, dark baseball caps, and dark sunglasses, which may attract yellow flies. A repellent containing DEET is also recommended by both the District and UF/IFAS, though repellents may be only moderately effective when yellow flies are especially abundant.
For yards, campsites, and pool areas, sticky traps can help reduce yellow fly activity in smaller spaces. UF/IFAS notes that traps may be effective for small areas such as yards, camping sites, and swimming pools, though there is no complete method for controlling yellow fly populations.
Residents are advised to note that placement is key. Yellow fly kits are meant to attract yellow flies, so they should be hung away from patios, porches, pool seating, play areas, or anywhere people plan to gather. Tree-lined areas are ideal, and if there are no trees available, a shepherd’s hook can be used, with the ball hanging at least 3 to 4 feet off the ground. Residents should also avoid placing traps near hummingbird feeders, bee gardens, or butterfly gardens because the sticky coating can trap anything that lands on it.
Free Yellow Fly Kits for South Walton Residents
To help residents prepare, South Walton Mosquito Control provides free yellow fly sticky trap kits, limited to one per South Walton residence, during yellow fly season.
The District’s 2026 kit distribution runs from April 1 through June 30 at its headquarters, 774 North County Highway 393, Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
There will also be a special Yellow Fly Kit Distribution Day at Santa Rosa Beach Ace Hardware on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The store is located at 2202 US Highway 98 W in Santa Rosa Beach.
Kits are available while supplies last. Residents should bring proof of South Walton residency, and the limit is one kit per primary residence.
What to Do If You’re Bitten
Most yellow fly bites are painful and irritating, but can usually be managed at home. Wash the area with soap and water, use a cold compress or ice pack to reduce swelling and itching, and avoid scratching. Over-the-counter anti-itch or antihistamine creams may also help. Seek medical advice if swelling worsens, redness spreads, the area becomes warm or infected-looking, fever develops, or you have signs of a serious allergic reaction.
