Bug bites

[duane]

I was hiking on Franconia Ridge and Garfield over the weekend and came away with dozens of itchy bug bites. They look like circular raised welts; most are less than 1/2 inch across although some are an inch across. Some have puncture marks in the center but I suspect that scratching may be the cause. The perpetrators were flying insects much smaller than black flies and shaped more like gnats than flies. I'm treating the bites with calamine lotion during the day and single malt scotch in the evening. I've probably gotten these bites before but never in such quantity. My two hiking partners wore the same amount of Deet as I did but hardly had any bites.

Any ideas on what they are? I'm guessing they'll torture me for a week and then fade away.

By the way, congrats to the Pemi Loopers on Saturday. I think the bugs couldn't keep up with you folks so they attacked slow plodders like me.

 

[duane]

Based on your comments Barkingcat, I Googled "black fly bites" and yep, you're right. For some reason, I thought black flies only came in one size, extra large (rivaling the size of small birds).

At least I know what they are now. I absolutely understand why some people stay inside during this season. On the other hand, three days in the Whites was so awesome that even those little buggers couldn't spoil it.

Thanks for the info!

 

[Little Rickie]

I've probably gotten these bites before but never in such quantity. My two hiking partners wore the same amount of Deet as I did but hardly had any bites. QUOTE]

Try eating more garlic (serious) before a hike or maybe you've just gotten sweeter with age.

 

[duane]

Now that you mention it, the person who was bitten the least had some very spicy curry chicken the night before at Liberty Springs. Hmmmmm.

 

[Pete_Hickey]

Some time ago, I fed my face to some blackflies, and came out looking like this:

http://mudhead.uottawa.ca/~pete/blackf.html

Hard time driving home with only one eye working...

 

[Pete_Hickey]

Yikes!

How long did it take for that to clear up?

A few days, I think.. It was close to 20years ago, so I'm not sure. I do remember people laughing at me at work after that.

 

[brianW]

Some time ago, I fed my face to some blackflies, and came out looking like this:

http://mudhead.uottawa.ca/~pete/blackf.html

Hard time driving home with only one eye working...

Is this why you carry the ax now Pete?

I 2nd the garlic meal before hikes suggestion.

 

[Pete_Hickey]

I 2nd the garlic meal before hikes suggestion.

I do too. I don't think it prevents the blackflies from getting you. It just gives an excuse to have that garlicy meal you love...

"Gad, you smell bad."

"Yeah, I know, but I had to eat that delicious meal to fight off the blackflies."

"Wow, you're hardcore."

 

[TrailwrightBratt]

Eye Knats

Pete:We have what locals call eye knats and they go for your eyes with a vengeance.A UNH entomologst once wrote in a newspaper about them,saying they are drawn to the eyes because of some kind of chemical in the fluid.They are a real pest too.I have not been bitten but my wife says she has.They seem to be worse on very hot and humid days.Peg says wearing a ball cap or other hat with the bill down close to the eyes helps.I find it too hot for me on those kind of days.
The way you reacted to the bites would cause me to wear a head net,besids that it would hide my face and that would be a good thing according to my hiking companions.

 

[spider solo]

the song....

Hopefully a few smiles will help make the recovery....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyRshnwExPU

The Blackfly Song...written in 1949... animated in 1991

 

[The Hikers]

Some of the smaller critters we call "midgies" or "no-see-ums". Have as painful bites as their larger relatives. Some people react to bites and seem to attract black flies, while others seem to go unscathed. It must be a chemical thing.

 

[Stan]

It must be a chemical thing.

No doubt about it.

Ever notice how ladies attract biting insects more than men. Its not just a sexist or even a horny thing. They smell better then men! It is always nice to camp out with someone you might call, "flypaper" ... you can enjoy the event while they swat!

A lot of it is the shampoo, makeup, colognes etc. Don't use it. If anything, use verbena or possibly other herbal soaps and moisturizers. Experiment.

Between diet, aromas, clothing etc., there is no reason to let these little biting things keep you out of the woods. Deet is a last resort in my strategy for dealing with it but I, and many others, have never been deterred or worried about what bug might be in vogue this week.

 

[Elizabeth]

Higher elevation black flies - nastier?

Has anyone else noticed that the later-season higher-elevation black flies are more persistent than their May-emerging lower-elevation relatives? I hate to use Deet, and have had general success using "Herbal Armor" bug repellent, until a recent hike up Galehead. Above about 2,500' the herbal repellent did nothing to keep those black flies off, even with frequent and liberal applications. I'll try the garlic next time.

 

[Taconic]

Try eating more garlic (serious) before a hike or maybe you've just gotten sweeter with age.

I will second this. I eat a tremendous amount of garlic. Seriously, I don't even bother breaking the stuff out if I'm going to use less than four cloves (my girlfriend hates me.)

I can honestly say that I've never been bitten by a blackfly. I've done a lot of June/July hiking in the Whites and have never been bitten a single time. That's about all I can attribute it to.

Ticks, on the other hand...

 

[rup]

Try using scent-free soap / shampoo in your pre-hike shower. Other than that, your asking for it by being out during the 'bug bloom'.