Black Flies

4 for Boating · 05-25-2011, 09:45 PM

Heading up this weekend.
Any latest data on the bug situation?

Thanks!

VitaBene · 05-26-2011, 04:46 AM

The black flies are healthy and the mosquitos are as well!! The rain really has not helped the situation.

Merrymeeting · 05-26-2011, 05:59 AM

The black flies have been fierce. But as the previous poster noted, the mosquitoes are now out. I've found over the years that once we start seeing the mosquitoes, the black flies are almost done.

Pick your poison

chipj29 · 05-26-2011, 07:08 AM

The black flies will be mostly gone in the next week or so. The warm temps usually kills them off.
However.........
The mosquitos are completely out of control right now. All the rain has made the population explode. Plan on bringing extra cans of bug spray!

Blue Pig · 05-29-2011, 08:48 AM

It might just be an old wives tale but it seems to work for me ... thought I could share and maybe some of you might find it useful.

We've been doing this for years at my parents Cape House (where the Horse Flies are brutal!) After you brew some coffee, save all of the coffee grounds. Rub them onto whatever areas of skin are exposed for the day and let it sit for about 20 minutes. After that you can either wash the grounds off or just go about your normal day. There's something about the smell that keeps the flies away. FOr those of you who don't brew coffee, I've heard the same works with mustard. Just rub it into your skin like you would sunscreen & let it sit for 20 minutes.

Good luck!

tummyman · 05-29-2011, 07:52 PM

It might work but up here, you may be suspected of being a large coffee and hot dog to go ! Just kidding...... but id does sound like a horrible mix.

Lakesrider · 05-29-2011, 08:02 PM

I can attest the mosquitoes. They were all over me last night. Very humid weather seems to get them going, more so than a dry day. Not fun when you are mowing the lawn and you get one in your eye and swat at it and hit yourself in the face....or breathe them up your nose and stand in your front lawn blowing your nose out with people looking at you like your an idiot....

NHBUOY · 05-29-2011, 08:05 PM

...I can attest, they were quite plentiful on Meredith neck today...I have found that Avon Skin-So-Soft works GREAT for keeping them away tho...I dont't know why, I am not a scientist...

...

tis · 05-30-2011, 06:35 AM

I think the skin so soft works well too. That is what I use. I have used it for years and years.

LakesRegionSpirit · 05-30-2011, 10:27 AM

..at our place in Gilford. I've just been driven inside after attempting to do some house staining.

Blue Pig · 05-30-2011, 02:17 PM

Has anyone tried the two remedies (coffee/mustard)? Today hasnt been so bad for the flies but last night was pretty brutal. If you don't have any mustard diatomaceous earth will work as well. It super effective for flies & ticks.

frano · 05-31-2011, 08:21 AM

I am trying to find out if it is just me or are others finding the mosquito situation is worse than it has been in the past few years?

AC2717 · 05-31-2011, 08:25 AM

two weekends ago black flies were in the millions seems like with no skeeto's.
THis past weekend Skeeto's galore with no black flies on the radar

Go figure

Only at dusk though on the skeeto's

GTO · 05-31-2011, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frano

I am trying to find out if it is just me or are others finding the mosquito situation is worse than it has been in the past few years?

They were vicious on Friday and Saturday. They didn't even wait for dusk. Standing out in the hot sun on Friday talking with a neighbor and they were attacking in swarms. Worse than black flies this year. Seemed to calm down yesterday...

hilltopper · 05-31-2011, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frano

I am trying to find out if it is just me or are others finding the mosquito situation is worse than it has been in the past few years?

Yes, it is definitely a bad year for bugs. You had to know it was going to be with all the rain we received in April and May. I had to resort to a long sleeve shirt, gloves, long pants, and a head net to get my veggie garden in this weekend.

ishoot308 · 05-31-2011, 09:57 AM

It was the "noseeums" near and on the water that got to me this weekend! They were out in force!!

Dan

angela4design · 05-31-2011, 02:37 PM

Meredith market (Hannaford and Rite Aid, Aubuchon was closed each time I tried) were SOLD OUT of 'bug dope' all weekend long, empty shelves!!

So, if that doesn't answer the question, I don't know what does!

John A. Birdsall · 05-31-2011, 03:48 PM

is that decaff coffee you rub on your skin? is it still warm? will instant work?

Knockers · 05-31-2011, 06:40 PM

'didn't know I could fly!!!! I stepped out side ,stuck my arms out---poof---next thing I was standing in the driveway beside my truck!!!

Rattlesnake Guy · 06-01-2011, 03:20 PM

Sketers need standing water. Don't be mad, but we don't have any on this part of the island. Never do. Plenty of spiders but very rare to see a flying insect. When we bought the camp, they did not even have screens on the windows. We have put them in just cause the few miscellaneous things that do come in are unwelcome. The bats seem to be able to keep up with whatever tries to live here.

It is damp enough here for ferns and moss to thrive but not for mosquitoes and black flies to breed.

phoenix · 06-01-2011, 04:29 PM

mosquitos are the worst ever . Hope they die out soon

lakeboss · 06-14-2011, 12:58 PM

Blue Pig,
You mentioned that Coffee beans and or Mustard may help keep the black flies away. I have tried the coffee beans several times.The coffee beans from Folgers coffee beans work the best. I have found that they keep the flies away from you the best. Although the only problem is that if you like to swim, like I do, its tough to continue putting the beans on. So then I tried the mustard. I must say, it works better. What i did was i watered it down a bit so i could put it in a spray bottle. it was a bit too thick to spray. that way it goes on quickly and much easier to apply.

thanks for the great idea's, my kids never complain about the flies anymore!

- David.

rander7823 · 06-14-2011, 03:28 PM

It will attract regular flies

SIKSUKR · 06-15-2011, 07:51 AM

I use mustard gas and find it kills everything around me.The only drawback is having to wear that mask.

ApS · 06-16-2011, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frano

I am trying to find out if it is just me or are others finding the mosquito situation is worse than it has been in the past few years?

It may depend on where you live. My area has scant mosquitoes to speak of, and is experiencing a "bloom" of dragonfly nymphs.

Dragonflies, depending on the species that is hatching, will reduce your airborne mosquito situation and live for several weeks.

This photo was taken at my dock today. The nymph has crawled from the Lake where the majority of its life has been spent, where it eats mosquito larvae.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miFN2o3woSw

What remains behind after crawling out of the lake—and hatching—is the empty, cast-off, exoskeleton of a Dragonfly "nymph":

05-25-2011, 09:45 PM	#1
4 for Boating Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 210 Thanks: 1 Thanked 37 Times in 25 Posts	Black Flies Heading up this weekend. Any latest data on the bug situation? Thanks!

05-26-2011, 07:08 AM	#4
chipj29 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bow Posts: 1,874 Thanks: 521 Thanked 308 Times in 162 Posts	The black flies will be mostly gone in the next week or so. The warm temps usually kills them off. However......... The mosquitos are completely out of control right now. All the rain has made the population explode. Plan on bringing extra cans of bug spray! __________________ Getting ready for winter!

05-29-2011, 08:48 AM	#5
Blue Pig Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 14 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Black Flies ... It might just be an old wives tale but it seems to work for me ... thought I could share and maybe some of you might find it useful. We've been doing this for years at my parents Cape House (where the Horse Flies are brutal!) After you brew some coffee, save all of the coffee grounds. Rub them onto whatever areas of skin are exposed for the day and let it sit for about 20 minutes. After that you can either wash the grounds off or just go about your normal day. There's something about the smell that keeps the flies away. FOr those of you who don't brew coffee, I've heard the same works with mustard. Just rub it into your skin like you would sunscreen & let it sit for 20 minutes. Good luck!

05-29-2011, 08:05 PM	#8
NHBUOY Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Loon Mtn. winters...Meredith Neck summers Posts: 398 Thanks: 288 Thanked 94 Times in 60 Posts	...I can attest, they were quite plentiful on Meredith neck today...I have found that Avon Skin-So-Soft works GREAT for keeping them away tho...I dont't know why, I am not a scientist......

05-30-2011, 10:27 AM	#10
LakesRegionSpirit Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Gilford Posts: 188 Thanks: 7 Thanked 40 Times in 21 Posts	Worst year so far... ..at our place in Gilford. I've just been driven inside after attempting to do some house staining. __________________ __________________________________________ Lakes Region Spirit "Seeking the soul of the Lakes Region one story at a time" www.LakesRegionSpirit.com

05-26-2011, 04:46 AM	#2
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,532 Thanks: 1,574 Thanked 1,608 Times in 823 Posts	The black flies are healthy and the mosquitos are as well!! The rain really has not helped the situation.

05-26-2011, 05:59 AM	#3
Merrymeeting Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Merrymeeting Lake, New Durham Posts: 2,217 Thanks: 299 Thanked 795 Times in 365 Posts	The black flies have been fierce. But as the previous poster noted, the mosquitoes are now out. I've found over the years that once we start seeing the mosquitoes, the black flies are almost done. Pick your poison

The Following User Says Thank You to Blue Pig For This Useful Post:
lakeboss (06-14-2011)

05-29-2011, 07:52 PM	#6
tummyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 780 Thanks: 233 Thanked 631 Times in 228 Posts	It might work but up here, you may be suspected of being a large coffee and hot dog to go ! Just kidding...... but id does sound like a horrible mix.

05-29-2011, 08:02 PM	#7
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	I can attest the mosquitoes. They were all over me last night. Very humid weather seems to get them going, more so than a dry day. Not fun when you are mowing the lawn and you get one in your eye and swat at it and hit yourself in the face....or breathe them up your nose and stand in your front lawn blowing your nose out with people looking at you like your an idiot....

05-30-2011, 06:35 AM	#9
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,411 Thanks: 719 Thanked 1,381 Times in 957 Posts	I think the skin so soft works well too. That is what I use. I have used it for years and years.

05-30-2011, 02:17 PM	#11
Blue Pig Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 14 Thanks: 5 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Has anyone tried the two remedies (coffee/mustard)? Today hasnt been so bad for the flies but last night was pretty brutal. If you don't have any mustard diatomaceous earth will work as well. It super effective for flies & ticks.

05-31-2011, 08:21 AM	#12
frano Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	mosquitos I am trying to find out if it is just me or are others finding the mosquito situation is worse than it has been in the past few years?

05-31-2011, 08:25 AM	#13
AC2717 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Maynard, MA & Paugus Bay Posts: 2,522 Thanks: 747 Thanked 344 Times in 257 Posts	two weekends ago black flies were in the millions seems like with no skeeto's. THis past weekend Skeeto's galore with no black flies on the radar Go figure Only at dusk though on the skeeto's __________________ Capt. of the "No Worries"

The Following User Says Thank You to GTO For This Useful Post:
frano (06-01-2011)

The Following User Says Thank You to hilltopper For This Useful Post:
frano (06-01-2011)

05-31-2011, 09:57 AM	#16
ishoot308 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Gilford, NH / Welch Island Posts: 5,932 Thanks: 2,290 Thanked 4,943 Times in 1,918 Posts	Noseeums It was the "noseeums" near and on the water that got to me this weekend! They were out in force!! Dan

05-31-2011, 02:37 PM	#17
angela4design Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Meredith Posts: 353 Thanks: 45 Thanked 54 Times in 38 Posts	Sold out Meredith market (Hannaford and Rite Aid, Aubuchon was closed each time I tried) were SOLD OUT of 'bug dope' all weekend long, empty shelves!! So, if that doesn't answer the question, I don't know what does!

The Following User Says Thank You to angela4design For This Useful Post:
frano (06-01-2011)

05-31-2011, 03:48 PM	#18
John A. Birdsall Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 599 Thanks: 27 Thanked 51 Times in 35 Posts	need to know is that decaff coffee you rub on your skin? is it still warm? will instant work?

05-31-2011, 06:40 PM	#19
Knockers Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 22 Thanks: 14 Thanked 11 Times in 4 Posts	simply amazing 'skettas,,, 'didn't know I could fly!!!! I stepped out side ,stuck my arms out---poof---next thing I was standing in the driveway beside my truck!!!

06-01-2011, 03:20 PM	#20
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Endangered Species Sketers need standing water. Don't be mad, but we don't have any on this part of the island. Never do. Plenty of spiders but very rare to see a flying insect. When we bought the camp, they did not even have screens on the windows. We have put them in just cause the few miscellaneous things that do come in are unwelcome. The bats seem to be able to keep up with whatever tries to live here. It is damp enough here for ferns and moss to thrive but not for mosquitoes and black flies to breed.

06-01-2011, 04:29 PM	#21
phoenix Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: phoenix and moultonboro Posts: 1,520 Thanks: 58 Thanked 266 Times in 187 Posts	mosquitos are the worst ever . Hope they die out soon __________________ it's tough to make predictions specially about the future

06-14-2011, 12:58 PM	#22
lakeboss Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 2 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Coffee Beans? Blue Pig, You mentioned that Coffee beans and or Mustard may help keep the black flies away. I have tried the coffee beans several times.The coffee beans from Folgers coffee beans work the best. I have found that they keep the flies away from you the best. Although the only problem is that if you like to swim, like I do, its tough to continue putting the beans on. So then I tried the mustard. I must say, it works better. What i did was i watered it down a bit so i could put it in a spray bottle. it was a bit too thick to spray. that way it goes on quickly and much easier to apply. thanks for the great idea's, my kids never complain about the flies anymore! - David.

06-14-2011, 03:28 PM	#23
rander7823 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 301 Thanks: 539 Thanked 39 Times in 23 Posts	Don't use Grey Poopon It will attract regular flies

The Following User Says Thank You to rander7823 For This Useful Post:
ApS (06-14-2011)

06-15-2011, 07:51 AM	#24
SIKSUKR Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 5,075 Thanks: 215 Thanked 903 Times in 509 Posts	I use mustard gas and find it kills everything around me.The only drawback is having to wear that mask. __________________ SIKSUKR