![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Kath on July 14, 2008, at 20:01:51
This year the bugs were bad...usually they're over by the 20th or so when I go camping.
Do other countries have "black flies"? They're small, sneaky, wretched & crawl up under my hair to hairline, neck, ears, face. When they bite, they actually bite, it seems - not just suck blood like mosquitoes & vampire bats LOL. I often don't realize I have been bitten until I see or feel a streak of blood dripping from the bite. But THEN they swell & itch like CRAZY.
I remembered this cartoon from years ago & looked it up! I don't think one can appreciate it unless one has encountered black flies, but it gives you a pretty good idea what they're like!!!
It's fun..............
http://beta.nfb.ca/film/blackfly/
I tend to think of myself as pretty peaceful (although my anger-coping methods as described to TC re her job might make you wonder!). It didn't take long before I was killing black flies with what I might describe as GLEE.
:-) Kath
Posted by Phillipa on July 15, 2008, at 0:11:42
In reply to BLACK FLIES! - my camping trip. little video...., posted by Kath on July 14, 2008, at 20:01:51
Kath did you bring a fly swatter? They look horrible and I'd hate that . Sorry you had to endure it video was funny though. Phillipa
Posted by cactus on July 15, 2008, at 0:46:11
In reply to BLACK FLIES! - my camping trip. little video...., posted by Kath on July 14, 2008, at 20:01:51
Kath, have you ever been to Australia? Flies are part of life. Summer can be hell, no need to go camping, they come to you.
Posted by Kath on July 15, 2008, at 9:16:03
In reply to Re: BLACK FLIES! - my camping trip. little video.... » Kath, posted by Phillipa on July 15, 2008, at 0:11:42
Hi Phillipa & Cactus,
Nope a swatter wouldn't help. They're really really small! They're about 1 1/2 - 2 millimeters long. They're totally different from regular 'flies' or 'houseflies'. If they're flying around you they have a zigzag pattern - sort of darting, so it makes it hard to clap them between your hands to get rid of them! They don't buzz or make any noise that I've ever heard.
They can even seem to find a way to crawl inside a 'bug shirt' (fine fine mesh shirt & attached hat).
Cactus, are those the type of flies you have....if so I don't know how you can stand it.No I've never been to Australia & would love to.
hugs to both, luv, Kath
Posted by cactus on July 15, 2008, at 14:47:03
In reply to Re: BLACK FLIES! - my camping trip. little video...., posted by Kath on July 15, 2008, at 9:16:03
they sound like thrip, little bities. I couldn't even count the amount of different types of flies we have here.
Posted by daveuk08 on July 16, 2008, at 2:54:25
In reply to BLACK FLIES! - my camping trip. little video...., posted by Kath on July 14, 2008, at 20:01:51
Hiya Kath.
We don`t get them here in the UK,in that sense we`re quite lucky. But to deal with flies of all types over here we have the Zapper Racquet, its like a tennis racquet but with fine wires powered by a battery, just press the button on the handle, and hey presto, the little blighters are zapped with a mighty powerful electric shock,they attack no more.Keep the button pressed and you can watch them fry. I`ll see if it can be bought on the net.
Dave
PS the video was fun, but should I go to Ontario lol
Posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on July 16, 2008, at 8:16:49
In reply to BLACK FLIES! - my camping trip. little video...., posted by Kath on July 14, 2008, at 20:01:51
Hey Kath...
Yep, as a fellow Canuck and Ontarioan, I *know* what you mean about blackflies! I remember one of my first trips up North, about an hour away from where you go camping, back when I was about 6 years old. It was a May 24 weekend (Victoria Day, Ohhh Canada!) and just after one day, I was covered from head to toe in those nasty bites! BUT, when it seemed to get worse, and my parents had to make an emergency run up to get me, I had actually gotten Chicken Pox! Put all those Black Fly bites and Pox together, and it doesn't look pretty!..lol. But I've always dreaded going up North on May 24, and I usually go down to the Pinery which is a little bit further South West on beautiful Lake Huron. Hardly any blackflies, mosquitoes, and no bears and no harmful snakes. :) (Sorry...I am chicken s*it when it comes to actually being an 'out of doors' person..lol)I met my first 'love' (well, teenage infatuation) there at 13 years old. Her name was Jennifer and she was from Rose City, Michigan. Ahhh....how I WISH I could go back to then! Well, maybe not...:)
Or maybe just have a nerve transplant? lol
I gotta go take more clonazepam...Best,
Jay
Posted by Kath on July 16, 2008, at 13:29:00
In reply to Re: BLACK FLIES! - my camping trip. little video.... » Kath, posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on July 16, 2008, at 8:16:49
Hey Jay,
May 24 would be in the HIGH BLACK FLY season, no?
Usually by near the end of June they're gone, gone, gone. But not this year! Mind you everything seemed to be slow this year. On our first of June week near Lion's Head on the Bruce Penninsula last year the sides of alot of the roads were a mass of lovely yellow lady's slipper wild orchids. This year, same time, not many at all yet (lots of buds).
You must have been a MESS with bite & chicken pox!!
I love the Pinery. We're going again in August this year. Have a nice site at Burley Campground. We've had it before. It's large & not near any other sites (QUITE a find) and has its own trails back over the dunes to the water!
I'm afraid of bears & this year there was a sign at the entry of Killbear Prov. Park saying "Warning - Active Bear" or some such delightful information!!! When I talked to a park guy he said it had been poking around some of the campgrounds, but he hadn't seen it for a few weeks. sigh. I'm actually less afraid of them since I saw 2 up close a few years ago while camping there. They saw me also & just kept on walking wherever they were going.
I send you a hug Jay.
luv, Kath
Posted by Kath on July 16, 2008, at 13:31:55
In reply to Re: BLACK FLIES! - my camping trip. little video.... » Kath, posted by daveuk08 on July 16, 2008, at 2:54:25
Hi Dave,
Yes, I've seen those zappers. For these nasty little critters, you'd need a zapper SUIT! You often don't even see them & don't feel them bite. For a LOT of people though, the bites swell & are really horridly itchy.
I'm not sure how long 'black fly season' is. It's not super long, I don't think. And it's mostly in Northern Ontario. So if you're ever thinking of visiting, don't let that turn you off....just check out the black fly info.
:-) Kath
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.