[at-l] Black Flies

["Tim F. & Max W." <blue.sky@ns.sympatico.ca>]

I can't imaging not knowing what a black fly is - you guys in the south
are sooo lucky not to have these little bloodsuckers!!

I've treeplanted for many summers in Northern Ontario, where black flies
are relentless and numerous (especially when planting a swamp!).  I have
learned useful strategy to deal with them, although it may sound like
suicide.  **Wear as little clothing as you can!**  Yep, that's right!
This strategy, though, MUST be coupled with something else...slather you
body with some kind of oil (e.g., vegetable) or deet.  (Make sure to
wear sunscreen under the oil or else you'll bake yourself!)

The reasoning behind not covering up head to toe, is that black flies
will swarm you regardless of what you're wearing and they will go for
ANY exposed skin.  So if you're covered up, they'll just swarm your
head, mindlessly flying up your nose, into your eyes and ears.  Most
unpleasant!  If you wear less clothing, they will leave your head in
peace (for the most part).  The oil works to actually get the little
buggers stuck to your skin - once they are stuck they are too busy
trying to get unstuck to bite you!  It works.  This oil part has an
unpleasant side effect, though...you eventually get covered with black
flies and have to wipe them off your body.  It can get pretty gross!

The good thing about black flies is that you can't feel them biting (or
is that a bad thing?).  You'll notice a bite when you feel the blood
trickling down your neck or leg.  They especially love behind the ears
and the temples - make sure you protect those spots!!

Deer flies you can't mistake.  They're loud, and hurt like hell when
they bite.  They have large eyes with dark and light bands.  In Ontario
the bug season progresses as: black flies, mosquitos, deer flies then
horse flies.  Small to big.

Enough grossness for now....it's only 7:30am here.  If anyone needs info
on bugs, I'm your woman.

Max, in cold and rainy Nova Scotia

--
.............................................................
26 Pleasant St. Apt#5, Dartmouth, NS, B2Y 3P2,
(902) 464 0559, blue.sky@ns.sympatico.ca


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