Been swarmed? Been bitten? Tell us your black fly stories

Our woodsy neighborhood has many streams and the black flies are horrible. Just when the weather turns nice in May they attack. To ward off black flies you need a head net and a thick coat of Deep Woods Off and keep applying it . The wimpy kids sprays don't work. Buzz Off shirts do NOT work either - the flies just attack your head. The bug fogger machines don't work. I haven't heard that the propane mosquito traps work either.

If anyone has a protocol for treating streams with the Bti (what to buy, when to use, how to use) please post it here!! I have heard that the Balsams Resort in northern New Hampshire successfully treats their streams.

Head nets are a must when venturing into the back country up north until about July 1. Lighting up a cigar helps too. El Cheapo brands, like White Owl or Swisher Sweets seem to keep them at bay better than a nice Cohiba which they seem to enjoy. I bring a pack of cigars whenever trout fishing in May/June. Unfortunately the fishing is best when the black flies are the thickest which stands to reason.

PA has a website for their blackfly control program, google it and you will see what they do.
i live in western maryland where they just tell us they can't be controlled, but we know better. that is why we vacation in PA, it seems that they want the tourst $$.

don't even bother comming to maryland in the summer unless you want eaten up. the kids at the elementry don't even want to go out for recess when they are out. the teachers wear head nets. and you should see the parks around here, nice playgrounds, well kept up, but not a kid to be seen.

when i could still buy Diazinon, spreading that around seems to help a lot. wish i knew where i could still get some. the replacement for dosent even seem to help with any lawn bugs.

as for the propane mosquito traps, they do catch a LOT of balckflies, you can see them swarming around them. my wife thought it helped, but i really didnt see any differance. another waste of $$.

i really want to move back to PA, seems that state is more civilized then maryland.

Black flies and mosquitoes were two of five reasons why I moved to Florida. The mosquitoes and fire ants are much eaier to control and even eliminate.

PA has a website for their blackfly control program, google it and you will see what they do.
i live in western maryland where they just tell us they can't be controlled, but we know better. that is why we vacation in PA, it seems that they want the tourst $$.

don't even bother comming to maryland in the summer unless you want eaten up. the kids at the elementry don't even want to go out for recess when they are out. the teachers wear head nets. and you should see the parks around here, nice playgrounds, well kept up, but not a kid to be seen.

when i could still buy Diazinon, spreading that around seems to help a lot. wish i knew where i could still get some. the replacement for dosent even seem to help with any lawn bugs.

as for the propane mosquito traps, they do catch a LOT of blackflies, you can see them swarming around them. my wife thought it helped, but i really didnt see any differance. another waste of $$.

i really want to move back to PA, seems that state is more civilized then maryland.

Bring back DDT and Diazinon!

Boy do I remember black flies and their companions deer flies. They took what ever fun it was fishing and hiking.