mosquitos/horseflys in Alaska
 

might be traveling to Anchorage and other areas 8/7-8/14/05. How bad are the mosquitos and biting flys there at this time of year?

They don't call the mosquitoe the Alaska State Bird for nothing!!!!

When we were there many years ago in July it was BAD!

Utahtea

Our first visit to Alaska was in late July/early August and we were not bothered by mosquitos. It may depend on where you are. This year family who were camping in Palmer said the mosquitos were ferocious later in the evening. We stayed at a B&B. I recently discussed the bug biting problem with a niece who works at a summer camp in NH. The camp counselors from Europe get eaten alive while the locals aren't bothered much at all. One time this year I was standing with some other tourists who were slapping away at bugs. I didn't notice them at all. In Alaska, the bugs weren't a problem during the day for the campers. If you aren't usually bothered by mosquitos, you might not be in Alaska either. Anchorage shouldn't be a problem. If you aren't camping, it might not be a problem. I packed bug repellant that comes in wet sheets, like wet naps, just in case.

to dfrostnh: will be landing in Anchorage, then two days/nights in Denali National Park, back to Anchorage, then two days/nights in Seward/Kenai glacier boat tour, and back to Anchorage - won't be doing any hiking, camping, or backpacking.

Your highest chance of bugs will be in parts of Denali, but they are rarely an issue in Anchorage and not a problem in Seward, unless you're staying in a place back in the woods.

The AK bug issue is overhyped IMHO. I've run into far worse conditions in the Minnesota lake country.

When my dad was there while in the military, he said his guys used to hit the mosquitos with softball bats.

Others tell tales of clouds of the varmints showing up on radar scopes.

I guess I should have mentioned that we were camping while in Alaska. That and I'm a mosquitoe magnet! They just love me.

Utahtea

Doc, you should do just fine. I don't remember any mosquitos at all. Don't forget sunscreen. I got a wicked sunburn when I spent the entire day outdoors with no shade during a heat wave. It was hotter in Fairbanks than it was in Miami. We also lucked out with very calm seas during our Kenai Fjords trip. My husband was worried because he had gotten sea sick the last time he had been deep sea fishing and didn't really want to get on another boat. We wore sea bands and he took some over the counter medication but it was like being out on a lake. The captain said there is only 3 or 4 days each year that are that calm. We have not been to Denali but in early August time of year we spent time at a cabin in the woods. I have fond memories of sitting on the porch watching the salmon cook but don't remember any mosquitos.
Eat more garlic?

Never had problems with mosquitos in Alaska. never saw horsefly/deerfly in Alaska. Had lots of problems with horseflies in Maine.

For clarification- you bug problem will be in Denali Park- so don't consider going past Eielson, Wonder Lake is just TERRIBLE at that time for mosquitos. I know- I have been there at that time- almost got carried away. I no longer go to Wonder Lake before the end of August- (18 Alaska trips). Should not be a significant problem in your other mentioned areas.

I been to Wonder Lake too in August. No more mosquito problems than in Main, New hampshire and Vermont

thanks, everyone - will take all the necessary precautions mentioned, as I hate mosquitos!

we camped near ANchorage in late july and had quite a few mosquitos. We returned a week later and all the mosquitos were gone. There were many, many dragon/damsel flys keeping them under control

It makes a BIG difference in Wonder Lake WHEN in August. By mid August they are significantly less than begining. This has been the case for the past several years. This past August- the fires did have a slight effect with less bugs.