Grounds workers in Cornwall are using plastic dragonflies as decoys to keep biting insects away while they clear riverside vegetation, and say the chemical-free kit works particularly well against horseflies.
Harrison Blake, a Cromac Grounds Operative, and his co-worker Cian Davey use the decoys during their riverside vegetation work. Blake said: "This is fast, fast becoming the most important piece of kit."
Davey said: "Our dragonfly here keeps us safe and stops us getting eaten alive."
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The decoys offer a chemical-free way to repel biting insects such as horseflies, a practical concern for outdoor workers.
- The approach shows a low-tech, nature-inspired solution can serve as an alternative to chemical repellents.
Background
Horseflies are large biting flies that can make outdoor work uncomfortable in warmer months. Plastic decoys shaped like dragonflies, which are natural predators of flying insects, are sometimes used as a deterrent in outdoor settings.
What to Watch
- Whether the decoys prove effective against biting insects other than horseflies as the team's riverside work continues.
- Whether other grounds teams take up the approach if the decoys keep working well.
Checked
7 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 6 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedCornwall grounds workers use plastic dragonflies as decoys to deter biting insects.BBC News: “Plastic dragonflies have been used as a decoy to deter biting insects.”
- Partly supportedThe team says the decoys are “fast becoming the most important piece of kit”.BBC News: “Harrison Blake, Cromac Grounds Operative, said: "This is fast, fast becoming the most important piece of kit."”
- SupportedThe workers use the decoys while clearing riverside vegetation.BBC News: “Blake and his co-worker Cian Davey use the chemical-free decoys while clearing riverside vegetation”
- SupportedThe decoys are chemical-free and the workers say they work particularly well against horseflies.BBC News: “Blake and his co-worker Cian Davey use the chemical-free decoys while clearing riverside vegetation and say they work particularly well against horseflies.”
- SupportedHarrison Blake is a Cromac Grounds Operative, and Cian Davey is his co-worker.BBC News: “Harrison Blake, Cromac Grounds Operative, said: "This is fast, fast becoming the most important piece of kit." Blake and his co-worker Cian Davey”
- SupportedBlake said, “This is fast, fast becoming the most important piece of kit.”BBC News: “Harrison Blake, Cromac Grounds Operative, said: "This is fast, fast becoming the most important piece of kit."”
- SupportedDavey said, “Our dragonfly here keeps us safe and stops us getting eaten alive.”BBC News: “Davey said: "Our dragonfly here keeps us safe and stops us getting eaten alive."”
