Despite the fact that we have been traveling to and spent a tremendous amount of time in the Adirondacks (my parents live there and we own land and are building a homestead there), I had NEVER heard of nor had I experienced Black Fly Fever.

Yes, I had heard of black flies, but not about their bites or how awful they are!

Being a teacher, I had never had the opportunity to be there for any extended amount of time from late spring to early summer because, well, I was teaching!

But this year, thanks to COVID 19, I was teaching online and I was able to do that from the Adirondacks. That also meant we were there for black fly season. And not only were we there, we were outside blazing new ATV trails through the woods. And that is when it happened, though we didn't know it until the next day.

That's what happens with the black fly bites. Not only are they so small you don't see them, you also don't feel the bites. Until the next day that is. And by then, well, it is too late to do much but take care of them.

And that is how we ended up with black fly fever. We had so many bites, which swell up and get a sort of pimple in the middle, that our bodies couldn't fight them. Our glands swelled, we had headaches, and we basically felt like total crap. That lasted about a week. 

Yes, that's right, a WEEK! And we are never going to let that happen to us again because it was AWFUL!

I'm sharing information so YOU and YOURS can avoid having to deal with this but still have fun in the Adirondacks!

​Season is from May to early July

• Black flies are not the kind of fly you might think they are! Check out this link at the Illinois Dept of Health to learn about the different types of biting flies: https://www.dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/environmental-health-protection/structural-pest-control/biting-flies
• They are super small and you will generally not see them. In fact, there is a good chance that you won't even know you are bitten until the next day when you are swollen, terribly itchy, and possibly have a small scab or oozing spot where they bit you.
• The bites are brutal and last up to a week because they literally slice you open to get at your blood. 
• Unfortunately you may even end up with a scar from their nasty little bite!
• And worst case scenario, you get Black Fly Fever (not the African one). See below for more information.

​Smells:

• Do NOT wear any sort of perfumes or deodorants. They will love you if you do!
• ​They do not like the smell of pine, lavender or vanilla so if you are going to wear a scent or wash with a soap, try one that smells like any of those three.
• We use either pine essential oil or a 50/50 combination of Pine essential oil and Cedarwood essential oil. Rub on back of neck and behind ears with a cotton ball. 

​*How WE Treat Black Fly Bites:

• We prefer to clean them with rubbing alcohol and apply plain ole calamine lotion.  That is the method that works the best for us. We have also used some sort of anti itch cream like Benadryl when it is really bad. Just remember that we clean them often and keep them covered to avoid scratching them.
• We sometimes find it helpful to take a Benadryl pill if we are experiencing a bad reaction, including black fly fever.

​*Note that this is what we do to treat black fly bites. This may or may not work for you. We are not doctors and recommend seeking the advice of a medical professional before utilizing any treatment plan for black fly bites.

Watch this video where we share how we avoid black fly bites while still enjoying our time outdoors clearing another ATV trail!

So now that you know what black flies are and how you can get black fly fever, you can make the most of your outdoor experience in the Adirondacks! Check out other bugs in the Adirondacks and how we deter them here: ​https://www.creatingasimplerlife.com/adirondack-insects.html

We decided a long time ago that instead of going on a big vacation every year, we would rather enjoy our summers right in our own backyard. It was worth every penny and we have never had any regrets!

Rich and I are the original owners of this pool and he has personally and meticulously taken care of it each and every year. He opens it, maintains it, and closes it with no problem (I do help of course). This is the ONLY way to make sure it IS DONE PROPERLY and lasts because nobody is going to take as much care with your belongings as you are!
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Pattern Continued:
BASKET SIDES AND HANDLES:
Round 5: Chain 1 and sc in the BACK LOOP ONLY of each stitch around for a total of 32 sc. Slip stitch connect.
Rounds 6-9: Chain 1 and sc in each stitch around until you have 4 more rows. You can place a marker here if it helps you. 
Round 10: Chain 7, then sc into the 7th stitch from the start of the chain. This is the first handle. Then sc into each of the next 10 stitches (total of 11 sc). Then chain 7 again, and sc into the 7th stitch from the start of the chain (this is the second handle), then sc 10 more times for a total of 11. You should be at the beginning of the first handle again.

We are still working in the round (this is the 11th round but the sides are 7 of them). Now you will do *10 sc into the center of the handle loop, then 11 sc (one in each of the next 11 stitches), then *10 sc into the center of the second handle, and then 1 sc in each of the next 11 stitches. Slip stitch into the 12th and knot off. 

*Note, as. you sc into each handle you will want to keep pulling them to the right as you get closer to the left. Refer to the video if you are not sure what I mean.

Finish up by weaving all loose ends with the yarn needle and enjoy :-)

Thanks so much for joining me today!
Check out my other FREE patterns here!
​Sincerely,

Video Tutorial (written directions below):