I and my hunting buddy have discussed the Deer Ked many times over the last 25 years. We used to think they were ticks before ticks became better known. We first ran into them by the thousands while hunting grouse and turkey in Northern PA. I remember nearly being driven out of the woods by these biting insects. Deer Keds have wings and fly onto the host and shed their wings. They don't bore into you like a tick but they have an annoying bite and feel creepy running over your skin. I have not had success with any repellant. The numbers are low in the southwestern part of PA where I live, but as said, up North, they can be really bad. No diseases associated with them yet, fortunately. Last time they were bad I pulled off my upland vest and my buddy brushed about thirty off the back of my shirt. I had one on the back of my neck last Thursday
Yes, exactly. Sadly, most bug sprays have zero effect on them. I use Deet to prevent ticks (or at least prolonged exposure to ticks), however it is ineffective on keds. As Liverwort said, they fly and will hound you until you smash them. They crawl up the nape of your neck to try and get into your hair many times and this makes the woodland experience less than enjoyable. The hotter the day, the more active they are. However, they seem to only be around from September - December unlike ticks. The rest of the year you will not see them.
