Tsetse flies

What does the collective wisdom think of this theory ?
Yes, Tsetse flies bite me but my informal observation suggests to me that, given the choice of targets, they seem to gravitate moreso to others, rather than I. As in, for whatever reason, somehow I seem to be a secondary preference. And I think I notice the same for Mopane Bees.
Pondering this, other than being lighter framed and less meaty than most guys probably, I can't fathom why this should be the case. The only thing remotely plausible is perhaps related to the fact that I enjoy a mild level of chile in my cuisine that maybe is detecable by the bugs and acts as a deterrant.
What do you guys and girls think ? Plausible, or am I talking rubbish ? :E Head Scratch: :A Quiet:
 
IDK, but I'm certain I'm the opposite of you. After a touch of SE Asia malaria, I'm convinced the mosquito's support group on Facebook put out a pic of me with the tag line "Extra Yummy!".
Around a campfire, I'm literally the only one getting hits.
 
I was very lucky to do 3 weeks in Western Niassa. Endless tsetse all day every day. Any good insect repellent worked well. The skin so soft was not as effective, but it worked well on the mopanes.

Any spot that wasn't throughly covered in bug spray would be bitten. Once they found a spot they'd hammer it repeatedly and mercilessly. And they bit through any clothing that was one or two ply thick.

The trackers and game scouts took great pleasure in catching them, dismembering them, and then throwing them back onto the ground to die of starvation. Great stuff.
 
someone mentioned a map where they are, where can that be found ,otherwise where should I not go to avoid them. seems like they could ruin a good hunt. are they all season or just summer. Thanks
 
1713479357775.png
 
The map is interesting. I worked in northern Angola (Cabinda) for 5-1/2 years and Nigeria for 6 years and never encountered tsetse.
 
I wonder when that map was published?
 
30.06king said:
What do you guys and girls think ? Plausible, or am I talking rubbish ?
Click to expand...
I noticed that mosquitos bite me less, then the others in my immediate vicinity.
I also never met tse tse fly.
But mosquitos go other way from me.
So, it could be?!
 
Tsetse flies have to be experienced to be appreciated. None of the aforementioned critters are pleasant but the tsetse, having evolved to withstand and thrive in the environment of serous swats and thick, tough hide, probably find human prey easy pickins… almost recreational. :)
 
The only problem with tsetse flies is they land on their proboscis.......
 
Kevin Peacocke said:
These creatures, size for size, have probably had more of an effect in Africa than any other single bug or animal. Large swathes of the bush, fortunately, remained largely untouched because of them, and in the attempts to erradicate the tsetse large wild animal populations were culled. That didn't work either, so vacant areas remained to be designated as parks.
On our recent Zambezi valley trip in an open vehicle the pointless swashing and swatting began soon after the second Parks gate and by the time we got to camp the welts were up. The camp staff of course live there, the guides drive around every day, so what is their secret? Deet? Long pants and veils?
Ellie dung burners! One accompanied us on all game drives, you just keep feeding it, works a treat.
Upon leaving they gifted us one and we kept it alight all the way back to Harare, not because there were any more pesky flies, but for that delicious aroma, like coffee on steroids.
View attachment 599660
Click to expand...
so true. I am in Zim across from Zambia and all is well. They absolutely keep me from hunting Tanzania and Zambia no question
 
Are they at all seasonal?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

... and 1080 more.
Total: 11,320 (members: 1,130, guests: 10,190)

Forum statistics

Threads
54,604
Messages
1,158,878
Members
94,491
Latest member
MelodeeLed
 

 

 

Proudly sponsored by

Latest posts

Latest profile posts

G
ghay wrote on gearguywb's profile.
Is this rifle sold? If not what is the weight of it and do you know if there is enough difference in diameter between the 35W and the 9.3 to allow for a rebore to a 9.3x62 which is what I am after?
Thanks,
Gary (Just down the road in Springfield)
•••
W
Woods wrote on Hunter-Habib's profile.
Forgive me if this is the incorrect area, I signed up to this forum just now because I wanted to be on the list to purchase a copy of your autobiography. Please feel free to pass my information along to whomever is selling. Thank you so much. I look forward to it!
•••
The Engineer
The Engineer
I like the Tillie in my picture. They are supposed to fit loose (2 fingers inside hat band), have mesh for cooling, and hold their shape after washing.
•••
S
SSG Joe wrote on piratensafaris's profile.
From one newbie to another, Welcome aboard!
•••
BLAAUWKRANTZ safaris
BLAAUWKRANTZ safaris wrote on Greylin's profile.
We have just completed a group hunt with guys from North Carolina, please feel free to contact the organizers of the group, Auburn at auburn@opextechnologies.com or Courtney at courtney@opextechnologies.com Please visit our website www.blaauwkrantz.com and email me at zanidixie@gmail.com
Zani
•••

Share this page

 
Top