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| Black flies are the scourge of spring in Vermont, especially this year with all the recent wet weather. The community of Adamant, Vermont does try to make the best of it with an annual festival. |
Very, very awful.
Black flies are probably Vermont's least favorite tradition from mid spring to early summer. We want to be out there smelling the lilac blooms and collecting early season salad fixings from the garden, only to be swarmed by these biting little buggers.
I've noticed some black fly seasons are worse than others. There's good reason why black flies season 2023 is off to such an annoying start.
As the Green Mountain Club explains, black flies tend to lay eggs in flowing water. With all the rain we've had recently, there's plenty of flowing water. Even in places where there usually isn't much flowing water.
The conditions are perfect for this, so they're swarming. Some of you in colder parts of Vermont probably haven't noticed yet, as it's still early in the season. But beware. They're coming. Green Mountain Club explains here why black flies are often worse than other annoying bugs:
"These biting insects will swarm humans and livestock, biting around the head, hair, and ears. Black fly bites are painful, as the bugs cut into the skin and lap up blood that pools into the wound. Bites appear as puncture wounds or a huge swelling. Common reaction rations include lymph node swelling and skin rash."
Black flies are most active on cloudy, humid days and just before storms, which explains why this week has been such a pain. (As you've noticed, it's been cool and damp, with frequent showers and scattered downpours).
They're also most active mid to late morning and late afternoon and early evening. I always pray for windy weather when I'm outdoors during black fly season. The gusts tend to overwhelm these tiny gnat-like attackers and keep them at bay. Sometimes.
Insect repellents containing DEET seem to ward off mosquitoes, deer flies and the like. But it doesn't seem to have much effect on black flies. At least in my experience. Some people say they have a bit of success with lavender, vanilla extract, pine branch extract and citronella.
Wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts help ward off black flies, especially if you tuck in your shirt. Of course, that doesn't help if you're out there doing physical activity in the sun, as you'll overheat with all those clothes on. Wear light colored clothing too. Black flies, true to their name, are attracted to the color black. Which is my favorite color to wear. Go figure.
Many species of black flies don't bite. But they constantly try to get into your ears, eyes and mouth, which is super frustrating. While the following doesn't happen in humans, we can relate, given how thick the swarms are: Black flies have been known to suffocate birds, chickens and other animals because they're so numerous they clog respiratory tracts.
On the bright side, black flies don't transmit diseases to humans, like mosquitoes and ticks do.
We're about to enter a multi-day dry spell in Vermont, which might reduce the amount of flowing water out there. But, too late. The damage is done. We're stuck with a lot of black flies through the spring and early summer. There will be plenty of water left for the bugs to keep reproducing, too. A wet spring is good, except for the black flies. All that water out there on the landscape won't be going away anytime soon.
There isn't much we can do about the existence of black flies, other than hibernate inside. But who wants to do that now that winter is over and spring is blooming with abundance? I suppose we can take some advice from the tiny Vermont community of Adamant.
Adamant, an unincorporated village within the town of Calais, holds an annual Black Fly Festival, usually on the first Saturday of June. This year's event is scheduled for June 3. It features a parade, black fly inspired treats and other events.
I guess the village of Adamant is telling us if you can't beat the black flies, join 'em.
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