Black flies

[Katie]

The sections i am hiking this year include Duncannon Pa to Bennington Vermont and all of Maine.
I am wanting to avoid the worst of bugs, so when are black flies the worst and when are they cleared out in these sections? How about mosquitos too? I like information from hikers who have the direct experience. Thank to you all.
Katie/Painted Lady

[BirdBrain]

To remember the black fly season in Maine, just remember your parents. They run about from Mother's Day to Father's Day (maybe a couple weeks later).

[rocketsocks]

To remember the black fly season in Maine, just remember your parents. Then run about from Mother's Day to Father's Day (maybe a couple weeks later).

Oooh, I like that BB...good way to remember.

[joshuasdad]

I've heard the black flies love mother's (day) and hate father's (day), but did see them in MA over 4th of July week last year. I'm doing NH in July, and Maine in Aug/Sep, hoping to miss most of them.

[neighbor dave]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjLBXb1kgMo

[peakbagger]

I have been up in the woods of Maine in mid June and gotten feasted on by black flies. Most folks stay away from Baxter until early July. In the whites they are usually gone by early June although some years they just move up the mountains so they arent bad down owo but can be bad up on the ridges.

[Cookerhiker]

When I hiked all of Maine as a section hike from mid-August to mid-September, there were virtually no mosquitoes. I was pleasantly surprised.

[Slo-go'en]

Black flies are at their worst in the spring, which is usually June in New England. However, they are around all summer, just not as bad. If they start to get annoying in the afternoon, its usually a good sign a thunderstorm is comming. Massachutes is known for its swarms of mosquitoes, which are also at their peak in the spring. Locals stay out of woods around here until after July 4th.

[BirdBrain]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjLBXb1kgMo

Since we are posting videos, I will post the one I always post when this subject comes up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAd_JIFzceo

[Almost There]

For me the Mosquitoes were far worse in June, and then the rains came...and although wet there were no bugs!

[Snowleopard]

Last year there were black flies here in n. central Mass. all summer and the mosquitoes were not bad; normally it's the opposite. Black flies are usually at their worst in June in northern New England and May/June in southern New England. Usually black flies are worse further north (i.e., VT, NH, ME). Mosquitoes can be bad all summer here.

Bring a headnet, DEET, and a tent. Treat your clothes with permethrin and be prepared to wear long sleeves and pants (tucked into your socks for ticks/Lyme). Check yourself for tiny deer ticks every night.

[Turk6177]

Don't you hate the feeling when you accidentally inhale a black fly? Who would have thought a tiny little fly could almost make me empty my stomach contents! Gag gag gag!

[Darwin Foltz]

Anyone have any good recommendations for a headnet to keep the Blackflies out?

[Snowleopard]

http://www.petersheadnets.com/
I can't stand most head nets, but I can tolerate peter's headnets -- highly recommended. You can find cheaper ones and if you don't mind wearing them, they all work. They are made with tulle (bridal veil material) that is easier to see through and breathes better, and is not at all easy to sew. The holes are larger than no-seeum; it works on mosquitoes and black flies, but I'm not sure about smaller gnats/noseeums.

[Hairbear]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjLBXb1kgMo

Lol,cool song.

[takethisbread]

Mosquitos are not too much a bother . Black flies make me insane. Impossible to enjoy a hike with those feasting on you. I would rather hike northern New England in January than in black fly season. They say there is a second hatching in in late summer but I have not had a problem in August September area.

For me the Mosquitoes were far worse in June, and then the rains came...and although wet there were no bugs!

[lemon b]

In Mass usually the worst time is mid May. Last year however was not bad at all.

[Coosa]

Check out Niacin ... 50 mg a day two weeks before you hike and every day of your hike.

OR garlic.

Coosa

[Tinker]

Don't you hate the feeling when you accidentally inhale a black fly? Who would have thought a tiny little fly could almost make me empty my stomach contents! Gag gag gag!

Reading your post almost gave me the heaves!

I wish the incidental inhalation of the little monsters was totally preventable. A headnet helps but is incredibly uncomfortable on a hot day. It might as well be made from a plastic bag.

[Chaco Taco]

Was out memorial weekend and got chewed up pretty good. Luckily with a high snowfall winter, the bugs wont be as bad as the last 2 spring and summers.