My group usualy goes into the park this weekend - however this year we are a week late. Any thoughts if the black flies will be active May 7-10? The weather leading up to this weekended is warm enough. I suspect they will be out, but not biting....

I suppose you mean swarms of black flies. Really depends on your sensitivity. I've been out with folks who saw one fly and said... "oh my god... we were eaten by black flies" when we got back.

You're safe. The protein consumption begins later in the month.

You may run into squadrons of 3-4 here and there.

Was up hiking today along hwy 60 and not a sign of a blackfly, although I know they aren't far off.

They were out today in south Haliburton

They are out and about....friday they were starting to buz, but not bite.
I suspect another couple warm dry days will have them going

They are already out. Hiked Kawartha highlands today- around 3pm if you stopped, they swarmed around you. No bites yet, but a lot of flies

does anyone have any suggestions on how not to get "eaten alive". aside from the usual store bought stuff. My dad swears my malt vinegar behind the ears (but I see him swatting them away). I heard NOT to eat banannas. Any other proven methods by the locals...

shout out to the hedgehog

Interesting....
different name for a different thread?

mike dickson
74.210.196.79


Blackflies = bug jackets + tucking your pant legs into your socks


Mosquitoes = bug spray



Try all the other stuff/urban legends if you like. Report back on their effectiveness.




Barbara

DEET is the most effective and most studied bug repellent out there and has been safely used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide. I'm not going to take the time to look up the studies again as I've read them in the past and even posted some data/comparison statements.

The key with DEET is that if you opt for the lower concentrations (40% compared to 99%) you will need to reapply a little more frequently. The same holds true for conditions...if it's hot and you're sweating you'll be sweating the DEET right off of you quite like if you're swimming.

Generally, as we get towards the time when they are getting active (now through about the end of the month or a week before) you'll find pockets of activity both geographically and chronologically. They tend to be more active in the morning and evening hours but you can hit the right (or wrong) conditions in specific areas and be temporarily involved with a large group of the pests. Once they are out in force you need to take steps such as mentioned above. It can be a pleasant time in the park in early/mid June with few neighbors vying for your campsite or fishing hole and plenty of winged partners keeping you company.

Often we'll just build a smoky fire in the morning to make our coffee and oatmeal and that's enough to keep them at bay for the short while we're around camp. Usually out on the open water they tend to stay away but there are no hard and fast rules...only traditions that the bugs seem to enjoy breaking!

I just returned last night from a whitewater canoe course on the Madawaska River (Palmer Rapids)and the blackflies were out yesterday afternoon when the sun came out. Nothing serious but it does seem a little early, especially when we are heading into AP next weekend for 2 weeks. Long range shows cooler temps the first week but warming up the second. It seems to me that the last few years the flies and mosquitoes have been coming out earlier. Clothes and deet have always worked best for us when the bugs are about.

PaPaddler, when my dad was in the military he used to bring me some of the high concentration deet, but I have not seen above 40% for awhile. Anyone out there know what deet product offer 50% or more deet and where they can be purchased. I have a feeling that by the time May 23 rolls around the black flies/mosquitoes could be quite thick.

Coach

just came out of the south end of the park yesterday ( went in Wed. ) and we saw a few mosquitos but no blackflies, took everything back to the mother-in-laws place on Kasshabog lake yesterday( about a 2 hour drive southeast ) and the blackflies where out pretty good. good luck but take some sort of protection..

For me its Deet spayed on my ankles, wrists, and the back of the neck.
I eat spicy curried noodles, drink beer, and smoke cigars to keep 'em outta my face.

I'm going to get cancer and I smell like hell, but the bugs leave me alone LOL!

Mike...

Just back from Rock/Louisa... no bugs yet, not even Mayflies...not even back in the bush when I went for a hike Sunday afternoon. If the week stays warm they might start to come out by this w-end, but they won't be biting yet. The Spring was a little late and has been colder than usual. I would guess we might even have 2 weeks before they really start swarming

I always have a bug net handy to throw over my hat and head. Nets are so compact and convenient. I prefer to cover up with a light, synthetic long sleeve top (when its hot) or long sleeved tee and long pants with tie ups. I use Deep Woods otherwise.

Right now the first wave of blackflies are just starting to buzz around. there's only a few here and there and only when it's a little warmer in sandy locations.



The first wave of black flies never seem to bite much so we probably have a while until they become a huge nascence. I've never liked them much but do tolerate them probably more than most. Took a picture of my wife last year and counted 97 blackflies in the frame when I got home and counted them on the computer. They sure do like to swarm sometimes.

As for how to best deal with them....

I don't eat banana's at all in the late winter/spring. Not sure if this really helps but I feel that it does.

I believe in bug jackets, they not only keep them from biting you but they keep them from crawling all over you too. And a side benefit it helps filter them out of your coffee, beer or chardonnay.

Was early in the spring when I decided to go
To work up in the woods in North Ontario
The unemployment office said they'd send me through
The Little Abitibi with the survey crew

And the black flies, the little black flies
Always the black fly no matter where you go
I'll die with the black fly a-pickin' my bones
In North Ontar-i-o-i-o, In North Ontar-i-o

As for N,N-Diethyl-meta-toluamide or Deet, it is one of the most studied bug repellents because of it's use with the US military. The basic way that it works is is blinds the insects senses by paralizing it.

There is no need for higher concentrations of DEET, Deet works in any concentration higher concentrations just last longer.

Products containing no more than a 38 per cent concentration of DEET will normally provide adults with sufficient protection. Studies have shown that products with lower concentrations of DEET are just as effective as the high concentration products, but they remain effective for shorter periods of time.

30% DEET will provide 6.5 hours of protection
15% DEET will provide 5 hours of protection
l0% DEET will provide approximately 3 hours of protection
5% DEET will provide approximately 2 hours of protection

I have a really old bottle of 90% Deet somewhere. I used to just tie it on a string and hang the entire bottle around my neck saying that just having the bottle of 90% Deet was enough to repel the bugs. I never did open the bottle.

If or when you use Deet you should be careful as it will eat through plastic. Stay away from.. well just about anything, your camera, plastic lenses in your glasses, almost any gear, etc.

Although Deet is probably one of the best chemicals for repelling Blackflys and mosquito's I still prefer a bug jacket or other more natural based chemical.

Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/

High concentrations of Deet have been banned in Canada since 2004
http://www.cbc.ca/news/story/2002/04/23/DEET_020423.html

The Original Bug Shirt
http://www.bugjacket.com/

Many places sell a cheaper (almost one use) bug jacket if you only want to spend around $15
http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302695921&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441932141

E-How's page on Banana's and Mosquitos
http://www.ehow.com/about_4613829_do-bananas-keep-mosquitoes-away.html

Ontario Ministry of Heath, Mosquito & Black Fly Myths (Banana's)
http://www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/pubhealth/west_nile/wnv_repellent.html



Randy Mitson
AO Huntsville
http://www.aohuntsville.com
http://www.algonquinoutfitters.com
mailto:randym@algonquinoutfitters.com

Coach,

Yeah, by that late in May you will quite possibly be in the thick of them. Randy's post a little further down is accurate by my recollection as far as the time that the various concentrations will remain effective. However, remember that other activities such as rain/sweat will reduce the time so be prepared to reapply, if necessary.

In the US I'm able to find the 99% concentration just about anywhere...Walmart, Kmart, etc. If you're not able to find the higher concentrations in Canada then I would just use the 30 or 40% stuff and put it on a little more frequently.

Remeber, Coach, the fish don't start biting until the bugs do!

Having lived up in Moosonee as a kid and dealing with black flies as big as bats, and in swarms as big as a bus, I just ignore them now. I find the mosquitoes more annoying that the black flies.

That being said, I do recall some of the mom's on base pulling knee high stockings (nylons) over our heads and cutting eye and mouth holes. We walked around looking like burglars, but back in the 70's when (when I actually had hair) you would come in the house after a day outside and your hair would look like it was alive because it was filled with the little beasties.

They go after the back of the neck and behind the ears. I guess that is where the tastiest bits are... haha...





Sean (of Ajax)

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry