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cabinbasics
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# Posted: 3 May 2012 03:27pm
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Normally the black flies (the biting females) come out in May at our property (Almar, NY). With the mild weather this year, I can only image the swarm that's up there right now.
I live 2 hours away and we don't get them in Rochester. But this year my wife has been eaten while gardening. Yikes - are they moving west? Must be the mild winter helped their cause...
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trollbridge
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# Posted: 3 May 2012 04:01pm
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Ah ick....I hate the black flies!!!! They are absolutely relentless!
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spee
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# Posted: 4 May 2012 03:20pm
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last weekend up near Haliburton ontario there were NONE ! it was amazing
this weekend i feel they might eat me alive while i try to build a foundation 
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bobrok
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# Posted: 4 May 2012 03:30pm
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We are at our camp in Blue Mtn Lake this week and with a few minor exceptions I haven't been plagued by the nasty little buggers yet. It seems as if big old flies are out in abundance, but the nasties are just on the verge of starting up. I've been working in a wooded area all week and it seems when the sun is out and the temp is warm they're starting to come around; sun goes away and temps cool off a bit and they left me alone.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 4 May 2012 03:47pm
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We dont have them at all. 
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beachman
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# Posted: 4 May 2012 07:40pm
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OK - here in Eastern Canada the blackflies in May can be horrendous! I consider myself a bit of an expert of these pests having eaten, slept among them and breathed in several pounds of these beasts - like a bat. Last year when digging out stumps, I had to wear a head net just be able to breathe. They leave a mighty welt that can itch for days. Thankfully, they only last for 3 to 4 weeks then taper off, depending on the dampness of the weather. Then after that, it's just the swarm of mosquitoes. They too taper off over the summer and the breeze from the lake keeps them in the woods. Thank goodness for screens!
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rayyy
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# Posted: 4 May 2012 07:56pm
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Yahhhh they get in your eyes,up your nose and there isn't a thing that bothers them.Wearing a hat with mesh netting,long sleeves and gloves is the only defence I ever found that worked.
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neb
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# Posted: 4 May 2012 09:15pm
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What is a black fly??? All flies are black!!! We just call them s*** flies are they the same thing????
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cabinbasics
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# Posted: 4 May 2012 09:30pm - Edited by: cabinbasics
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From what I hear they are more like mosquitoes - the women need blood to make their eggs. The men buzz around you cause they know where the women will be - biting on you! The eggs are laid on or around water and the larvae are waterborne til they hatch. Each woman bites for about 5 days then lay the eggs. After that they're done for the season.
I met an excavator up there a couple years back and he said he works right on through the season. He said only diesel fuel keeps them away - just don't put it on your forehead or it will hit your eyes when you sweat 
I went up there the first year without knowing what they were. They swarmed the car even before I got out, which was then a mistake! They look for anything that moves. Had to use full clothing and a netted hat like beachman. I feel bad for the critters - deer and such - they must be eaten alive for the month!
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bobrok
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# Posted: 4 May 2012 09:59pm
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Quoting: neb What is a black fly??? All flies are black!!! We just call them s*** flies are they the same thing????
Perhaps this will shed some light
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hattie
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# Posted: 4 May 2012 10:16pm
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bobrok - hehehehehe...That was good. *S*
Yup, gotta love them blackflies. We get them later in May, followed by the mosquitoes and the no see ums.
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sparky1
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# Posted: 5 May 2012 09:54pm
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try this item/
http://www.almanac.com/product/original-bug-out-2-wick-travel-tin
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Swamphunter
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# Posted: 6 May 2012 04:42am
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I have really good luck with my thermocell
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ErinsMom
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# Posted: 6 May 2012 08:07am
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It doesn't matter which beast it is; if it has wings, IT LOVES ME! Not so with my husband; we can sit side by side for 30 minutes, I will have 20 - 30 bites. He will have none. Why is that?
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razmichael
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# Posted: 6 May 2012 09:24am
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Apparently there are 1800 species of "black flies". In southern Ontario at least the season is relatively short but there will be times when you simply cannot work outside during the day. Our horses are driven mad and you end up looking forward to mosquito season. Go up north (Ontario or further up into the arctic region) and you would not believe how bad they can be. Funny little video produced by the Canadian National Film board (based on a song from the 40s Video Blackflies.
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dk1393
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# Posted: 7 May 2012 08:35am
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I am up in Redfield, NY. Had a few black flies this weekend. They seem to be just getting started. I have also had very good luck with Thermacell's
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cabinbasics
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# Posted: 7 May 2012 12:31pm
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WOW dk, sounds like a late start this year, even with the warmer weather. I used to stay away from April 30th to June 1st. Curious - how's the water level in the Reservoir?
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dk1393
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# Posted: 7 May 2012 03:50pm
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Water level is up all the way. Been that way for a few weeks at least
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cabinbasics
Member
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# Posted: 7 May 2012 06:15pm
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OK, that's good - not much snow this year but still plenty of rain.
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Seto
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# Posted: 9 May 2012 12:15pm
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i lived in the Adirondacks for a while, out there its not a war with the biting flies, they are clearly in control of the area. my suggestion, wear a long cotton shirt that they can't bite through, light gloves a wide brimmed hat (boonie hat) and a cheap bug net. i wear this stuff all the time when there out. but if your not in top shape to handle the extra heat its best to stay indoors.
likely the weather, they can breed before the predatory larger things are out in force
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neb
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# Posted: 27 May 2013 09:07pm
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Joking aside we have black flies and mosquitoes and the no see ums also. I was at the cabin this week and the flies are bad. Down on the river they are bunched up on willows and maybe laying eggs I don't no. The worst is no see ums them little sob are a pest. LOL
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creeky
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# Posted: 28 May 2013 10:01am
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the black flies this year were almost non existent. even the mosquitoes came late. in the spring i was sitting down by the water in my hammock unmolested! so different from year one here. when the mossies were so bad i spent a month and a half trapped in my rv looking for any hole they might come in thru.
the worst I ever saw tho, was a mtnbike trip to northern quebec. the park had a scale and the blackflies were at 5000 per sq. yard/metre. and nobody brought bug stuff (so we took an 80 km round trip on gravel roads to get some).
vinegar is a great "anti itch" solution and cheap.
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hattie
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# Posted: 28 May 2013 10:50am
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No black flies here - YET! Oh I hate them. They get into the house and then congregate at the windows. When you squish them they leave streaks of blood (your blood) all over the windows. EWWw.....
I love that video bobrok. *ROTFL* One of my favourites!!!! I usually watch it once a year at about this time. *LOL*
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Grandma Off Grid
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# Posted: 30 May 2013 06:16am
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seeing them here too. apple cider vinegar is very good for the bites. I have those fly strips up and that seems to work pretty good inside.
use to put diesel on a feed bag and tie it to the rubbing post for the horses.
someone told me one time they raised horses, said to mix apple cider vinegar and Pine Sol and that was supposed to be a good rub for horses.?? don't know if it works I bet it would smell awful but it might work good too.
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turkeyhunter
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# Posted: 31 May 2013 07:39am
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I just got back from the North Woods of Maine....black flies came about a week early and the dog and I headed back to the south. They are no fun.
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bobrok
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# Posted: 4 Jun 2014 08:18pm
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Thought I'd resurrect this thread since it's that time of the year again. New York State DOT is installing these on all roads leading into the Adirondacks. Fair warning to visitors, I think.
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