Groundsworkers in Cornwall are using plastic dragonflies as a novel method to deter biting insects, particularly horseflies, while clearing riverside vegetation. Cromac Grounds Operative Harrison Blake described the decoys as an essential piece of equipment.
Blake and his colleague Cian Davey have found the chemical-free decoys to be highly effective. Davey stated that the plastic dragonflies help keep them safe from insect bites, allowing them to work without being "eaten alive." The method offers a non-chemical solution to a common problem faced by outdoor workers in certain environments.