1. Don’t take showers or bathe.

2. Don’t smell nice

3. Hang on a screened in porch

4. Never lift or open headnet to wipe sweat off your brow.

5. Don’t dig holes

6. Don’t rake leaves

7. Don’t wear cologne

8. Don’t breathe

9. Don’t wear black.

How to survive

Wear insect repellant.

Do Indoor Activities like visit the Adirondack Experience, Museum on Blue Mt Lake (run quickly if you can, between the exhibit buildings)

Visit The Wild Center

Go Rafting – you are moving fast down the river, hopefully faster than the flies.

Go to the Long Lake Library or Raquette Lake Library.

Go to a bar and talk to the locals about how bad the flies are (similar conversation to winter talk about how cold it is)

Go flying in a seaplane.

Take a cruise with Raquette Lake Navigation.

How to Repel Black Flies
1. Protect your skin.  Wear long sleeves and pants at all times when outdoors. Because they are attracted to dark colors, it’s also a good idea to wear light-colored clothing, such as khaki, tan, or white.

2. Mask up & Net up!   Flies are are attracted to the carbon dioxide we exhale.

3. Fan up.  You may think everyone is waving at you while you drive through our small local towns, but chances are they are waving their hands and hats to repel flies.

If you get attacked by black flies – it is common for them to bite ears and necks and exposed skin. So don’t be alarmed.  Use witch hazel and calamine lotion to soothe the pain and take it easy.

Please note: This is why screened in porches are the best in May and June.

Sources: https://www.farmersalmanac.com/black-flies-17347 accessed 5/17/2021

FULL DISCLOSURE:

If you have never visited the Adirondacks in the spring months, we must be honest with you.  There are nefarious creatures known as Black Flies that can make visiting at this time of year extremely frustrating and uncomfortable.  We wait all winter for spring to arrive and in Mid-May through June we are bombarded by flies.  People who love the Adirondacks no matter what put up with it and have survival fly methods including using ample bug spray, commercially produced or natural, it’s users choice. Other methods include using bug nets, hats.  Don’t wear black and avoid perfumes, and fruity scents.

It can completely jar your experience if you aren’t prepared for this, so please understand, we do want you to come and enjoy our area while it is quiet and spring is blossoming, but you have to be prepared for these creatures.

Flies are most active several hours after sunrise and an hour or two before sunset.  Black fly bites do not spread disease to humans, but they are painful, itchy, and can even cause allergic reactions in some people.

The insects lay their eggs in clean, fast-running water – like rivers and streams – that are commonly located in wooded areas. This is why you’re most likely to encounter them when you’re hiking, camping, paddling, or fishing in or near the woods.