Bugs

[Earth Man]

Here's another spring question. When's the earliest people recall blackflies, etc... in the Whites and in Baxter SP? I'm thinking of scheduling a week off in mid-May. Think I'll get away unscathed?

 

[The-Green-Man]

For the Whites I'd say any time around the start of May. Granted, it's not as bad as mid-summer, but you'll still encounter the little buggers...

I'd think Baxter would lag behind the whites a little, but not much.

 

[Mike P.]

Depends on the next few weeks, might escape it. Earlier in May, the more likely to escape. After the 15th unscathed better replaced by not eaten alive.

 

[marty]

I agree with both comments. When the black flies start depends on the spring. If it is cool, you will get none in mid-May. If it is warm, they'll be out early! Rangeley, ME usually starts a week or so after the White Mts. Would assume BSP is similar.

Good luck. I would ALWAYS bring a headnet during bug season. I have also found that Sawyer Broad Spectrum bug spray works well as a black fly deterrent, except that it stained my polypro shirt.

Good luck
Marty

 

[weatherman]

Two years ago, Western ME near Flagstaff/Rangeley at 2000 ft was PERFECT on 5/20. We felt that we were pushing our luck, though. I think typically you get about 10 days between snowmelt and blackflies, though in some years they overlap. Good luck!
Weatherman

 

[TCD]

I call the window between snow melt and bugs "secret season."

Sometimes it doesn't exist, as you point out. In other years, it's very long. There was a season about twelve years ago where we had fluke hot weather (80F for four days in early March). All the snow was gone by mid-March, and the bugs still didn't come out until mid-May, so we had a 2 month secret season.

I love secret season. No snow, no leaves, no bugs. It's good for rock climbing, and very good for scouting new climbs.