poss

We're heading to Bar Harbor etc on May 26 (actually Colby graduation on May 26, a week of touring after). I hear that the flies are just starting to come out. Have never experienced a black fly season, but have heard they're wicked. Does one use the same sorts of things as for mosquitoes? I.e. Deet products, etc? Are they like mosquitoes and come out mainly in the evening or are these buggers around all day also?
Thanks!

virginia

hi poss, i'm sorry to tell you that the infamous black flies are around all day and at night too. use the highest deet content you can find. there is a 2-3oz. orange plastic container - Ben's i think - that is 98%deet. they are especially attracted to you face, hairline, back of your neck and your ears, but they'll get cha anywhere they can. it will be better in bar harbor, where there should be a constant breeze, than in waterville or anywhere off the coast. as it will not be hot out i would advise long pants and long sleeve shirts. unless it heats up a lot by this weekend i'd plan on a layering - maybe a sweater and jacket too.
spring is just happening here. the fruit trees just coming into their flowers, spring bushes just blooming. fields have been turned and pastures are vivid green with all the rain in the past week. the trees are leafing in and driving around the state is quite beautiful.
congratulations on getting your son or daughter through colby and enjoy your drive around maine.

clarkgriswold

Your biggest problem time will probably be standing outdoors at that graduation. Wash as many of your clothes as you can with "BOUNCE" before your trip, and eat lots of garlic. Use "Deep Woods Off" as your hairspray of choice. If you tour parks, etc, the bugs don't bother you as long as you KEEP MOVING. As soon as you stop to enjoy the view, prepare to be attacked.

clarkgriswold

P.S. Any good Colby student will certainly take you to North Street Dairy for ice cream, but just in case they don't suggest it, be sure to put it on your must-do list. Try the Grapenut, the Ginger or the "Homemade Cookie Dough" Choc Chip Ice cream.

poss

Thanks much for the feedback-- though it's pretty upsetting to hear that those buggers will soon be feeding on us. I'm especially concerned because I tend to get horrendous reactions even to mosquito bites (welts the size of golfballs, which last a week or so), so I have a real terror of the flies. We will try to take every precaution, but from the sound of things they're likely to get a person anyway.
Virginia: I"ve learned, by the way, that there's no reason to get 98% Deet (and plenty of reason not to as it's so highly toxic). The stuff with 20% or 40% Deet is precisley as strong as the ones with 98%. Only difference is how long each lasts.
Thanks again.

babylene

Are there still black flies in July? We are going to Bar Harbor.

gomiki

poss ~ take every precaution. I was not aware of the flies when I went whitewater rafting several years ago. They loved me more than others. I ended up with a black eye from bites and lots of bites on my arms. You cannot feel them bite. The stinger has an anesthetic. It took about a month for them to go away. Just be careful!

dfrostnh

The last time we were in the Bar Harbor area it was mid-June and we were not bothered by black flies. Different years and weather makes a difference in their schedule. We camped in Searsport (further south) in mid June and only had trouble with mosquitos. Last summer we camped in Wiscasset (even further south but north of Brunswick) 4th of July week and only had problems with mosquitos at night. Hate to say it but possibly New England natives build up a tolerance. My sister has worked lots of summers at a children's camp. Many of the counselors are from Europe and the mosquitos seem to go for them first. It helps to have a good breeze and be away from tall grass, bushes etc. If you spend a lot of time indoors and driving around you might not notice them at all.

schmerl

It has been mentioned to wash your clothes and use Bounce. You can also take Bounce fabric softener sheets and stick them under the clothes you are wearing. We've done this for outdoor concerts in the summer and it has worked.

babylene

Bounce? I like that idea. Sure smells better than repellant! I am going to try it. Thanks

escargot

Ok, I called 3 of my friends who have had past Colby graduates in the last 5 yrs and none of them every had a problem with black flies during graduation or never heard it discussed.
One of htem said a family she knew that was lodging at a place on one of the Belgrade lakes complained about some bugs at nigth but she wasn't sure if it was black flies.

Her only comment was - bring an umbrella, for some reason there are usually showers at Colby graduation in her experience

congrats and have fun !
go get some of those homemade molasses donuts (is it the breakfast place in Fairfield?) our son took us there last month - ask the kids - best donuts I ever had -

poss

Thanks, Escargot! In fact, I'm still concerned abt the flies though. From what I've been told, they're unusually early this year-- usually don't come until June. They are definitely there now. Your friends and their kids have been lucky. (Even the place we're due to stay in Bar Harbor says they're around and a nuisance-- and BH presumably will be less of a nuisance than inland.)

The donuts and ice cream sound yummy! (Maybe I'll just hole up in our motel room and stuff my face.)

escargot

if bugs love you ( as they adore my husband and never bother me) - my hsuband has had great luck with the 'ex officio' brand shirts that are 'buzz off' - with repellant in the material (vs. putting it on your skin except for a bit around neck area, etc) -
maybe you can stop and get one at a sports store of which there are plenty between portland and waterville - hey it might not be the most attractive outfit at graduation and during your vacation, but it's a thought.

poss

We both have a couple of those Buzz-Off shirts-- bought them before our rambles in Costa Rica some years ago. I've never been sure whether they're effective, because I always put insect repellent on as well. In fact, we'd been planning on taking those shirts, but not sure whether I'd be gutsy enough to wear them at commencement. Maybe if I get drunk enough on donuts and ice cream first!

escargot

well you might be in a food coma after the ice cream and donuts, but you won't be drunk....for that you need that champagne you were looking for

kalili

Are black flies the same as deer flies??
If they are, good luck to you!
I experienced my first deer flies in Lake George, NY. and thought I was going to be eaten alive! Even the Deet did not protect us like we had hoped...makes me even happier I live in Southern California where mosquitos are the biggest nuisance to me!

dfrostnh

No, black flies look like fruit flies and are about the same size. Deer flies are nasty biters and much bigger. Black flies go around in swarms. If I'm bothered by deer flies it's usually only one or two ... but then I'm not in the deep woods where they might be thicker. Black flies don't fly around at night. Then there's horse flies which are even bigger nasty biters than deer flies but there's usually only one or two of them flying around.