![]() ![]() If possible, avoid activity during times when black flies are most active. They tend to be most active on humid, cloudy days and just before storms. Activity peaks tend to occur around 9:00 to 11:00 AM and again from 4:00 to 7:00 in the late afternoon and early evening, or until the sun falls below the horizon. Depending on weather, black flies tend to be more active at certain times of day. Several companies make net-like clothing to keep black flies from reaching your skin.īlack flies are active only during the day. These can also be impregnated with repellents. Shoulder-length head nets are sometimes useful. Light colors such as orange, yellow and light blue are less attractive to black flies than dark green, brown and red. Zippered front shirts will keep flies out better than button shirts. Keep short sleeves and front closely fastened and tuck trousers inside socks or high boots. Proper clothing offers good protection against black fly bites. Sustained control is not possible using this method. Fogging to control black flies in the adult stage may provide a brief period of relief, but because adults are strong fliers, relief is temporary. A commercial license to apply pesticides is also required before a permit is issued.Ĭontrolling black flies in the adult stage usually is not practical, unless you wish to obtain temporary relief (hours) on local property. The State of New Hampshire requires a special permit to apply pesticides to surface waters, but because black fly nuisance problems are rarely confined to one location, state regulators are not likely to grant permits to individuals for black fly control. Treating a small area, or part of a single stream, will do little to alleviate a black fly pest problem. Individuals should not try to control black fly larvae. These flies swarm around the head in large numbers but do not usually bite. ![]() Simulium jenningsi is a late season species and is most annoying along the larger rivers in northern New Hampshire in August and September. In the north, it emerges in late May to early June and can remain abundant until the end of June in some areas and even into July in higher mountain localities. Simulium venustum, the so-called “white-stockinged” black fly emerges in early to mid-May in southern New Hampshire and remains a pest until the end of May. These are Prosimulium mixtum and Simulium venustum. Only two species of black flies in New Hampshire consistently and abundantly bite humans. In general, biting black fly species tend to breed most abundantly at the outlets of ponds and lakes, perhaps because of more abundant food or warmer temperature. The eggs remain in the water until fall when they hatch. Adults emerge from late April through May and females deposit eggs in May and June. They pupate in early spring when water temperatures reach about 37˚ to 38˚F. Larvae hatch in the fall when stream temperatures are falling and develop during the winter months. The second type overwinters in the larval stage. Some species have more than one generation per year. The larvae develop during early spring and adults emerge in spring or early summer. The eggs remain submerged in streams over the winter and hatch in spring when water temperatures reach about 40˚ to 50˚F. Once they have fed and digested, they lay eggs in a suitable stream habitat.īlack fly species in New Hampshire exhibit two types of life cycles. Adults mate near the breeding site and females, who need a blood meal so they can lay eggs, begin their search for blood. Mature larvae pupate underwater and emerging adults ride bubbles of air to the surface and fly away. The larvae feed by filtering water for tiny bits of organic matter. The eggs hatch in water and larvae attach to rocks, leaves, grass or other submerged objects. Since New Hampshire is well known for its clear streams, it is not surprising that black flies also are abundant and at times a serious annoyance to residents and visitors.įemales lay their eggs on vegetation in streams or scattered over the water surface. Large black fly populations indicate clean, healthy streams since most species will not tolerate organic pollution. Almost any kind of permanent or semi-permanent stream is occupied by some species. Some species live in large, fast-flowing streams, others in small, sluggish rivulets. Habits & Life Cyclesīlack flies breed exclusively in running water. Only the females bite and fortunately most species feed on birds or other animals. In some cases, black flies may not bite but merely annoy as they swarm about the head or body. Of these species, only 4 or 5 are considered to be significant human biters or annoying. New Hampshire is home to approximately 40 species of black flies. ![]()
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