​insects & bugs in the adirondacks

How we prevent, repel, and stop the multitude of bugs we deal with here in the Adirondacks!

The bugs in the Adirondacks can be brutal. From Black Fly season in the spring, to the mosquitoes throughout the summer and more, it can be just awful!

But we don't let that stop us at all! Below you can find some ways that we use to help with the bug problem we face every day!
  •   Black Flies
  • Mosquitoes
  • Yellowjackets +
  • OTHER
<
>

Black Flies

 Some General Information: 
Season is from May to early July
  • Black flies are not the kind of fly you might think they are! 
  • 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.
Active Times & Locations:
  • They are more active in the mornings and late afternoons so it is best if you plan your activities during mid-day. Unfortunately for us that is when it is the hottest and basically unbearable for getting any work done!
  • They are also more active nears rivers and streams because it is where they lay their eggs and during hot times of day they can be found in the understory of forests where it will remain cooler and more humid.
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. 
Colors:
  • ​​Avoid dark colors because they seem to like them. Especially black and dark blue. 
  • The best color to wear is white so that is what we wear during the worst of the black fly season.
WHAT WE DO to AVOID BLACK FLY BITES AND BLACK FLY FEVER:
  • We wear a light color. Usually white.​
  • 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. 
  • We wear either a bug jacket (see video below) or a netted bug hat.
  • We will also use a bug spray with picaridin in it on the occasions when they are swarming very badly. My favorite is the AVON brand bug spray in the silver can.
What is black fly fever?

Mosquitoes & Non-Deadly Flying Insects

  • I think we all know what mosquitoes are and I think we can all agree that they are not fun!
  • I try to avoid mosquito bites through several alternative methods other than spraying foggers etc. However, I will say that in certain situations I am NOT against using the store bought products that contain Picaridin (Avon brand is my favorite), but that is a last resort for me.
  • Below you will find some simple essential oil recipes for a more natural bug spray that works very well in most situations. 
  • Check out our videos below that share other methods of natural mosquito control.

Yellowjackets, Hornets, and other Potentially Deadly Stinging Insects!
​NOT INCLUDING HONEY BEES OR LONER BEES WHICH DO NOT WANT TO STING YOU!

We have quite a few people in our family that are deathly allergic to these stinging insects. In fact, we always have epipens around for just that reason. For this reason, despite the fact that they feed other insects to their young, we prefer not to have them around.
Some of the ways we deter, kill, or get rid of these insects:
  • Spraying Nests in places where we frequent using foaming spray (see video below).
  • Early in the season (before the queens come out to make their nests) it is very helpful to put out traps.
  • Hang paper bags or fake nests so that they will go elsewhere to make theirs.