Has anyone else noticed that their bright yellow composite kayak attracts insects of all kinds, particularly the tiny biting flies? When I leave mine in an outdoor boat rack for a few days, I find it covered with hundreds of tiny fly carcasses. This never happened with white, blue red or green. Ken Cooperstein *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have noticed this somewhat on my yum yum yellow kayak. I really notice that ticks like the color red. When I put my red plastic gas cans on the ground they often attract ticks. I'm assuming its the color and not my scent left on the can. Maybe the bugs are attracted to something you put on the yak? Later... Dan *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Trading boats on my last paddle, I noticed that bugs were much more attracted to the red boat than the blue boat. But I also remembered that it had a fresh coat of Formula 303 on it... Off Topic - I also notice the increased presence of bugs when I use my headlamp at night - it's like a beacon to the bug world! I hate to give away my location just because I need to see what's ahead. Wish I could afford night vision goggles! *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
My yellow Nordkapp doesn't attract bugs here in Florida. I recently purchased a yellow white water boat in Tennessee, and when I was loading it on the car I was besieged by some type of flying critters that were definitely attracted to the yellow color. I guess the bugs in Florida are color blind. -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net]On Behalf Of dmccarty_at_us.ibm.com Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2000 10:49 AM To: paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Yum-yum yellow -- bug attractant? I have noticed this somewhat on my yum yum yellow kayak. I really notice that ticks like the color red. When I put my red plastic gas cans on the ground they often attract ticks. I'm assuming its the color and not my scent left on the can. Maybe the bugs are attracted to something you put on the yak? Later... Dan *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Yes. I have a bright yellow deck and blue hull and bees seem to like the yellow David Whyte > Has anyone else noticed that their bright yellow composite kayak > attracts insects of all kinds, particularly the tiny biting flies? > > When I leave mine in an outdoor boat rack for a few days, I find it > covered with hundreds of tiny fly carcasses. > > This never happened with white, blue red or green. > > Ken Cooperstein > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> -----Original Message----- > From: Whyte, David [mailto:DHW_at_Mail.amsa.gov.au] > Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2000 2:46 PM > > Yes. I have a bright yellow deck and blue hull and bees seem > to like the > yellow <grin> - The reason the bees don't get all over the blue part (which is the color they're really attracted to) is that, being the hull, it's underwater. It all stems from their flower preferences - all the self-respecting bees in these parts definitely prefer our state flower, the blue forget-me-not, over pedestrian yellow dandelions. I need to go for a paddle! Dave Seng Juneau, Alaska *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
<grin> - The reason the bees don't get all over the blue part (which is the color they're really attracted to) is that, being the hull, it's underwater. That could be true but its when I have landed I notice the bees, not while I am paddling. I am certainly no plant expert but I think (and other Australians may want to correct me) that in Australia blue flowers are much rarer than yellow ones. With the national flower (the yellow Wattle) being the most common. David > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Whyte, David [mailto:DHW_at_Mail.amsa.gov.au] > > Sent: Tuesday, July 11, 2000 2:46 PM > > > > Yes. I have a bright yellow deck and blue hull and bees seem > > to like the > > yellow > > <grin> - The reason the bees don't get all over the blue part (which is > the > color they're really attracted to) is that, being the hull, it's > underwater. > It all stems from their flower preferences - all the self-respecting bees > in > these parts definitely prefer our state flower, the blue forget-me-not, > over > pedestrian yellow dandelions. > > I need to go for a paddle! > Dave Seng > Juneau, Alaska > *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Kenneth Cooperstein <cprstnc1_at_optonline.net> wrote: >>Has anyone else noticed that their bright yellow composite kayak attracts insects of all kinds, particularly the tiny biting flies? When I leave mine in an outdoor boat rack for a few days, I find it covered with hundreds of tiny fly carcasses. This never happened with white, blue red or green.<< not only have I noticed but have been advising customers of it when discussing the pros and cons of different colors. Yellow is the Coast Guards favorite color as well as the bees and the flies. I can recall a yellow and blue kayak side by side. The blue kayak had about 10 black flies on it the yellow one must have had 200. Usually this is not a problem because when you are on the water you are moving and there are few bug and when you are on land you are not in the kayak very long. Possibly the yellow kayak will attract the biting bugs to the kayak rather than you (unless you camp right next to it). If you wear a yellow PFD expect to be checked out by a lot of bees. If you have a red one on those huge bees buzzing you occasionally are actually hummingbirds. I suspect these bugs feed on yellow flowers. I once landed at Tatoosh Island on the NW tip of WA and the member of our party of four who had the yellow kayak was spotted by three seagulls and I don't think any of the other three took a single direct hit. Maybe this was just a coincidence but I've always wondered if it wasn't. Anyone have any more anecdotal evidence here? Don't suppose there has been any scientific research on this one. Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I paddle a lot in Georgian Bay, which is thick with mosquitoes and black flies and the like in the summer. (Mosquitoes never seem to be much of an issue unless I'm in very sheltered water. It's the black flies that dog you, especially in the heat of the day.) There is no doubt that flying insects are attracted to my yum-yum yellow boat, but my impression is that it distracts them from me. Matt Broze wrote: > Kenneth Cooperstein <cprstnc1_at_optonline.net> wrote: > > >>Has anyone else noticed that their bright yellow composite kayak > attracts insects of all kinds, particularly the tiny biting flies? > > When I leave mine in an outdoor boat rack for a few days, I find it > covered with hundreds of tiny fly carcasses. > > This never happened with white, blue red or green.<< > > not only have I noticed but have been advising customers of it when > discussing the pros and cons of different colors. Yellow is the Coast Guards > favorite color as well as the bees and the flies. I can recall a yellow and > blue kayak side by side. The blue kayak had about 10 black flies on it the > yellow one must have had 200. Usually this is not a problem because when you > are on the water you are moving and there are few bug and when you are on > land you are not in the kayak very long. Possibly the yellow kayak will > attract the biting bugs to the kayak rather than you (unless you camp right > next to it). If you wear a yellow PFD expect to be checked out by a lot of > bees. If you have a red one on those huge bees buzzing you occasionally are > actually hummingbirds. I suspect these bugs feed on yellow flowers. > > I once landed at Tatoosh Island on the NW tip of WA and the member of our > party of four who had the yellow kayak was spotted by three seagulls and I > don't think any of the other three took a single direct hit. Maybe this was > just a coincidence but I've always wondered if it wasn't. Anyone have any > more anecdotal evidence here? Don't suppose there has been any scientific > research on this one. > > Matt Broze > http://www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I don't own a dark kayak, all mine are yellow or white, but I did notice when I camped in the Everglades a couple of years ago towards the end of the season, when the deer flies started to become a problem, they would go after dark objects, especially the tires of my van. cya *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Mosquitoes, and maybe some of these other critters, are attracted by heat. Dark things might be hotter. Richard Frost Bob Denton wrote: > I don't own a dark kayak, all mine are yellow or white, but I did notice > when I camped in the Everglades a couple of years ago towards the end of the > season, when the deer flies started to become a problem, they would go after > dark objects, especially the tires of my van. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Mosquitoes are attracted to the CO2 in mammalian breath. You're right about the deer flies, as they also went after the exhaust pipe. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Maybe it was perfume or something the skin was exuding.. cya *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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