Clothing and tsetse
Aug 21st, 2006, 10:34 AM
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Clothing and tsetse
It has been 9 years since my last safari (I am going to Kenya and Tanzania in three weeks), and my memory fails me... I don't recall if tsetse flies ever bit me right through my pants (I do recall they bit right through my socks). My question is: has anyone found these new nylon-based light-weight pants to be superior or inferior to old-fashioned 100% cotton pants with respect to tsetse fly bites? They (the new space-aged materials) do look and feel comfortable, but they seem to be pretty thin -- I am afraid the tsetse would bite right through them...
Aug 21st, 2006, 01:28 PM
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Safaridude, avoid dark blue and black colours - they attract tsetse flies. Scientists are not sure why but one theory is that the flies associate dark colours with shade. Light coloured clothing will probably avoid more bites than the thickness of the clothing. Insect repellents also have little effect on tsetse flies.
In Kenya, certain parts of Tsavo are well known for tsetse flies, whereas in Tanzania, it is certain parts of the Serengeti and Tarangire.
In Kenya, certain parts of Tsavo are well known for tsetse flies, whereas in Tanzania, it is certain parts of the Serengeti and Tarangire.
Aug 21st, 2006, 06:19 PM
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Definitely avoid black and blue clothing. Even the Buzz-Off clothing that might be blue. It just doesn't work on tsetse flies at all. I never wear short sleeved shirts any more, primarily because of sun shade, but also because I hate being bitten by these little buggers.
Aug 21st, 2006, 09:30 PM
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For sure, avoid black and blue. Our guide had these colors on for two days in a row (shouldn't he know better???) in the Serengeti, and the tse-tses were waaay more interested in him than in the rest of us.
They flies were worst at about 6 PM. We did were shorts at times, and weren't too bothered by them, but I suspect it varies by time of year. They are, as you may recall, very hard to kill. Quite unlike any other insect I have encountered.
They flies were worst at about 6 PM. We did were shorts at times, and weren't too bothered by them, but I suspect it varies by time of year. They are, as you may recall, very hard to kill. Quite unlike any other insect I have encountered.
