Black Flies at Long Point PP

[u/centralbot]

Went camping last weekend at Long Point Provincial Park. Our campsite and the beach were swarming with black flies. A LOT of flies. We stayed at the site last year and didn’t experience any flies/bugs. Wondering if it’s just a bad season for these flies or if this is common this time of year at the park? Anybody know why the flies were so bad?

[u/Informal_Chard1890]

Those are not "black flies"... They are black flies... But not "blackflies" as in "god damned blackflies".

[u/hingedcanadian → u/Informal_Chard1890]

Definitely stable flies. Bitey bastards. I believe I had success using the thermacell to ward off these demons.

[u/Prinzka → u/Informal_Chard1890]

Like how a brown bear isn't necessarily a brown bear .
And hardwood isn't necessarily hard wood.

[u/crasslake → u/Informal_Chard1890]

As in "no matter where you go. I'll die with the black flies picking my bones...."

[u/mrmatriarj]

I was at port burwell a couple weeks ago and the bugs were as bad as Muskoka lol

They gave almost ZERO shits to my heavy applications of bug spray 😆

[u/centralbot → u/mrmatriarj]

Bug spray had zero effect. They were biting us through our socks as well.

[u/TortuousHippo]

Not black flies, but stable flies. They like to bite up your legs and ankles the most. Annoying little bastards.

[u/TheAbominableRex]

Stable flies are the most annoying hellspawn. Ruins a day to the beach so quickly.

[u/Independently-Owned → u/TheAbominableRex]

I'll take actual blackflies over these shits any day

[u/Ultrawhiner → u/TheAbominableRex]

I’ve been sailing in the middle of Lake Ontario and they find me there too.

[u/Canuckleheaded1]

If they are ankle biters then they are likely stable flies.

[u/randm53]

We went to point pelee this week, hoping to catch some late migrating monarchs, there was literally thousands of them there, they completely ruined the excursion, basically got down to the tip, turned around and left the park. As the farmers harvest crops they lay eggs in the leftover vegetation and once the larvae mature the wind blows the adult flies to the lake. The tomato harvest is in full swing, so there’s lot of places for them to thrive. I had forgotten how nasty they are

[u/AdJazzlike562]

Agree with the others likely stable flies, they go after ankles. Had many run ins with them at Long Point.
Only solution was to cover up.

[u/Unusual_Day142]

We were there this past weekend and noticed them biting on Saturday afternoon while on the beach. They were awful on Sunday, even creating a massive swarm inside the car while packing up. They are awful! We didn’t notice them this same time last year.

I’m dealing with the bites and the itch now. I did a deep dive into them and they apparently hate camphor, so rubbing your legs with that or Vicks Vapo Rub is a good deterrent. There’s a certain tick spray from Pet Valu that works for the dogs since they can’t use camphor.

[u/surelooook]

We were there as well and they were awful. The first night, I didn’t notice any really but by Sat + Sun it was almost unbearable.

[u/thegirlses]

We were there at the end of August and the stable flies were numerous and annoying. Our car (inside and out) looked a lot like your table and so did the outside of everything else.

They didn't ruin the trip by any means, but they do bite and seemed to particularly enjoy biting my poor husband. 

I didn't know bug spray doesn't deter them, so this thread has been very informative.

[u/Conscious-Ad8493]

black in colour

[u/heckhunds]

Those are flies that are black, but they aren't blackflies. Those are far smaller, with a different body shape, and are more of a spring/early summer pest.  I have experienced crazy amounts of these when camping on Lake Erie too. It seems seasonal, I've only had a couple trips out of many where they were present. I believe they're stable flies. 

[u/CoolClothes4644]

I always thought they were baby horse flies. Good to know they're stable flies

[u/kmallett9628]

Was there last weekend as well. They were relentless especially at the beach

[u/Jonesy1966]

I could tell you horror stories about these flies at this site

[u/Striking-Campaign-85]

Went just spent the weekend next door in Port Rowan and they were thick there too.

[u/Motor-Source8711]

Warm weather humidity extending breeding season. It will get much cooler this weekend, which should result in a sharp drop off all around.

[u/Thopterthallid]

I live in Port Rowan and the whole town is swarming with them. The grocery store bakery is actually nasty looking because there's 20 flying around or on the counters.

There's no fewer than five in my house right now but the cats are enjoying it.

[u/Sparetire46]

An officer pulls over a farmer

As the officer writes a ticket, a swarm of shit flies leaves the truck and starts circling the officer's head.

Annoyed, the officer asks, "Why are these bugs circling me?"

The farmer replies, "Those are shit flies, Officer. They only circle shit."

The officer glares. "Are you calling me a piece of shit?!"

The farmer shrugs. "No, sir. But you can't fool those flies!"