Something is really BUGGING me!

[LyleG]

Namely the bugs.

We had had 12 full inches of rain in June and have standing water everywhere. Over the last week the sun has been out a lot and bugs, especially the black flies, have come out in droves. I played 18 this evening and at around 8pm est. it was almost unbearable. I had put on bug spray 4 times already (25% deet) and was still getting eaten alive. I honestly have at least 50 noticeable black fly bites and was bleeding from everywhere when I went to the locker room. They say this is just the beginning too, that it will get a lot worse before it gets better. Oh well, welcome to Canada.

[Bossman641]

We've had the same situation here, but not nearly as bad. If you go out at dusk the mosquitoes are unbearable. You can't even stand still for 2 seconds or they swarm you, and even walking you have to swat them the whole time.

[LyleG]

Originally Posted by Bossman641

We've had the same situation here, but not nearly as bad. If you go out at dusk the mosquitoes are unbearable. You can't even stand still for 2 seconds or they swarm you, and even walking you have to swat them the whole time.

I find mosquitoes irritating but not as bad as the black flies. I am sure King Par will back me on this. Winnipeg is the mosquito capital, bar none.

[King Par]

You aren't kidding. I've been waiting for them to fog the city, happened last night I believe, but that brings it down to a slightly bearable mode. Still have to slap on the bug spray 4 times a round.

I went out for a round last week. On the back 9, around 8-9 pm I had to stand 20 feet behind my ball, pick my spot, rush up to the ball and swing. Otherwise, standing still for that long, I'd get eaten alive. I was still getting bit using spray, and only standing still for 10 seconds max. It was insane.

[zaphod]

The floodwater mosquito (Aedes vexans) has been a real issue in the rain ravaged areas of Wisconsin. Traps which normal capture 40-50 mosquitos per 24 hours caught avg of 500 last year and 2,000 this year.

[mont86]

The skeeters have been nasty along the Red River after all the rain in June.

[JasonMacIsaac]

Listerine gets rid of bugs, the course I will be playing the amateur at has the worst black flies I have ever seen. Standing still for 5 seconds to putt you will have 20 flies either on you or about to bite you. One bad evening I wore shorts with no bug spray and had 38 putts cause of them.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Last year they released millions of those huge black flies up here to combat Gypsy Moths a couple counties over. It was terrible on the course. Thankfully they didn't do that this year. Black Flies are definitely the most irritating for me. Getting bit 3 times while trying to putt.

I usually do 100% deet on the bill of my hat and 40% on the rest of me and works pretty well for the most part on the other bugs. They usually opt for my less protected playing partners

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by Pa Jayhawk

Last year they released millions of those huge black flies up here to combat Gypsy Moths a couple counties over. It was terrible on the course.

Wait, what? They released biting flies?

[BrandonM7]

I'm glad we don't have these psycho flies you guys are talking about. We do have our fair share of mosquitos, though. Actually way more than our fair share. I typically have little blood splats on the faces of my clubs after playing in the evening from swiping them out of the air during my swing.

[eclark53520]

I have almost given up riding my motorcycle at night anymore...the bugs get so bad on the face shield of my helmet that i have to stop at gas stations and wipe them off or i literally cannot see through it...and i cant open it because those little bastards hurt on bare skin...

Bugs dont usually bother me when i am outside...i hardly ever wear bug spray...

[DaveE]

I guess I'll stop complaining about how hot it is now.

Biting flies? Yikes.

[sssmokin]

I work nights and drive 40 miles one way. The windshield spray doesn't clean them off, they're so thick...........I have to stop at the gas station and use their windshield brush so I can see the rest of the way. I get gas too, so they don't wonder "what the Hell he thinks he's doing........LOL."

[MGP]

Anyone who has not experienced biting Black Flies has missed out on one of the true joys of living in the north.

As much as I miss living on the shores of Lake Michigan, I do not miss those damn flies.

I feel for you guys up north having to deal with flies and mosquitos. Makes life outside a real challenge.

[Pa Jayhawk]

Originally Posted by Eracer

Wait, what? They released biting flies?

There are certain types of flies that are predatory to the gypsy moth, which is an issue up here. So after about a month of dealing with the flies on the course, we learned it was a new method it battling Gypsy Moth infestations. To be honest, not sure they are of the blood sucking biting variety, although they like to nestle in your hair, buzz around your ears, or make your leg a larvae post for any gypsy moths that may mistake your leg for a tree

They seem particularly fond of greens and tee boxes, like any of the other forms of insects.

edit 1 - something I did learn that kind of helps for gnats, they tend to go to the highest point, so if you hold your putter so the head is well above your head while you are waiting, they tend to migrate above you towards the putter head as opposed to in your face.