Black Flies

[GrandmaBig6]

My mom is leaving in a few days for NH next weekend and was wondering about those awful black flies. Are they out biting in full force?

M

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by GrandmaBig6

My mom is leaving in a few days for NH next weekend and was wondering about those awful black flies. Are they out biting in full force?
M

Have not been biting at all for the last week as they can't hover around you in very windy conditions.The wind does have its advantages.Recleaning my yard from all the new downed branches is not one of them.

[LadyJane]

I'm looking at the web cam now at Weirs and there is a huge black fly or other insect on the lens. Looks like a MONSTAH !!! lol.....maybe I'll wait a couple weeks before I come up.

[PapaDon]

Originally Posted by GrandmaBig6

My mom is leaving in a few days for NH next weekend and was wondering about those awful black flies. Are they out biting in full force?

M

Here at our farm in Gilford, the black files haven't been too awful bad, due to the windy days, I'd say. Even so, I got my worst black fly bite ever last week, but the swelling has gone down now. Now it's supposed to be warming and settling down, so I expect we'll have our quota.

Here's one of them now...

[DickR]

Down on Long Island it was black fly season I think Saturday two weeks ago. But I killed both of 'em.

[NHKathy]

how have the black flies been???
whats the report from the Moultonborough people?

[donnamatrix]

On Sunday I made the mistake of mowing the lawn around 4:30 (when lawn is in the shade) ... did not wear long pants. Didn't really notice getting chewed up, but am covered with black fly bites. Using Benydryl clear cream, the white Benydryl in a tube, but in middle of night, before scratching my foot completely off, I got up and made my grandmother's recipe: baking soda and water into a paste. Slathered it on my feet/legs and it really does help. Only problem is the paste dries and breaks off in little bits all over everything!!

[NHKathy]

THANKS for the update!

[Pepper]

Originally Posted by donnamatrix

... my grandmother's recipe: baking soda and water into a paste. Slathered it on my feet/legs and it really does help. Only problem is the paste dries and breaks off in little bits all over everything!!

My mother often did something similar when one of us had been stung. She made the paste with orange juice for the anti-inflammatory benefits, and once the paste was slathered on, she'd wrap saran-wrap around it to keep it moist. I know it sounds ridiculous, but it worked like a charm!

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by Pepper

She made the paste with orange juice for the anti-inflammatory benefits, and once the paste was slathered on, she'd wrap saran-wrap around it to keep it moist.

For immediate relief from a bee sting, make the paste out of aspirin and rub on the bite. Works great.

[donnamatrix]

Hey Pepper: I never heard that orange juice had any curative influence... unless it was mixed with vodka or champagne!! However, I like the plastic wrap idea. Last night, once again, I was sitting at home with my arm and ankle/foot slathered with baking soda paste... it really does help, but the mess it creates is vexing. Thanks for the tip!!

[Pepper]

Donnamatrix, perhaps it would be best to combine the methods. First make your paste and then wrap it in the saran. THEN, Mix the orange juice with some vodka or champagne. This way, you've attacked the scourge both externally and internally. Surely you'll get the maximum curative benefits of the juice and the baking soda that way.

[Natt]

I am actually heading out to the graden right now to fed the black flies

[4 for Boating]

Heading back up this weekend. (Meredith Area)
How bad are they? Are they getting better or worse?

[tis]

I guess we are really lucky, we don't have many around our house. I hardly see any. But we went somewhere else yesterday and they were pretty bad.