| MOSQUITOES AND BLACKFLIES A fact of life in the north. |
Anyone that has spent time in the north is going to be familiar with biting
insects. This page is dedicated to those miniature monsters that can drive
the toughest person crazy in a few short minutes.
insects. This page is dedicated to those miniature monsters that can drive
the toughest person crazy in a few short minutes.
It must be admitted that the insects in the north can be troublesome from time to time. On the Northern Ungava Canoe Expedition most days
saw us bothered by insects for some amount of time. While bothersome swarms and itchy bites are to be expected, there are some times when
the insects go completely insane and their numbers are truly phenomenal. The pictures on this page illustrate a few of the most bothersome
insect battles that we encountered on this trip. Remember, for each bug that made it into the shot there are countless that evaded the shutter.
saw us bothered by insects for some amount of time. While bothersome swarms and itchy bites are to be expected, there are some times when
the insects go completely insane and their numbers are truly phenomenal. The pictures on this page illustrate a few of the most bothersome
insect battles that we encountered on this trip. Remember, for each bug that made it into the shot there are countless that evaded the shutter.
THE GOOD NEWS -
You will not be constantly bothered by insects while in the north! The two insects that
you will be dealing with on the tundra are mosquitoes and blackflies. If the
temperature is below forty five degrees or so you will not have any insects to deal with.
Hot and sunny conditions tend to send the mosquitoes away, and there have even
been days when it seemed too hot for all insect life. A strong wind will also function to
keep the insects hidden down in the bushed and off of your body. While rain may
soak you, if it is falling hard enough the insects will also be beaten down. Finally, while
you are paddling out on the rivers and lakes of the north you are often able to escape
the insects. Stragglers may hold with you for a while, but in many instances it is
possible to stay away from bugs while out on the water.
You will not be constantly bothered by insects while in the north! The two insects that
you will be dealing with on the tundra are mosquitoes and blackflies. If the
temperature is below forty five degrees or so you will not have any insects to deal with.
Hot and sunny conditions tend to send the mosquitoes away, and there have even
been days when it seemed too hot for all insect life. A strong wind will also function to
keep the insects hidden down in the bushed and off of your body. While rain may
soak you, if it is falling hard enough the insects will also be beaten down. Finally, while
you are paddling out on the rivers and lakes of the north you are often able to escape
the insects. Stragglers may hold with you for a while, but in many instances it is
possible to stay away from bugs while out on the water.
THE BAD NEWS - There will be times when the insects swarm in unspeakable
numbers. When this happens there will be no escape. To avoid getting massacred
trippers will have to take drastic measures to avoid being bitten again and again. I
have seen people with swollen faces from blackfly bites. In some cases scratching
bites can cause them to become infected. Often hands are the most exposed, and if
you aren't careful they can become quite brutalized. At times going to the bathroom
can be difficult, brushing your teeth will seem futile, and eating will pose a major
problem. How do you combat the bugs when they get this bad? Read on...
numbers. When this happens there will be no escape. To avoid getting massacred
trippers will have to take drastic measures to avoid being bitten again and again. I
have seen people with swollen faces from blackfly bites. In some cases scratching
bites can cause them to become infected. Often hands are the most exposed, and if
you aren't careful they can become quite brutalized. At times going to the bathroom
can be difficult, brushing your teeth will seem futile, and eating will pose a major
problem. How do you combat the bugs when they get this bad? Read on...
HOW TO HANDLE THE BUGS -
Bug Shirts and Head Nets - Bring a bug shirt and at least one head net for each
person. There are many styles and some are light and comfortable. These items are
not heavy and do not take up much space. Bring them! Do NOT rely on bug spray as
it will not work well enough to protect you.
Bug Tent - I made a bug tent out of "no see um" netting available at camping and
military surplus stores. The tent had no floor and was supported by canoe paddles
and guy lines that could accommodate stakes or rocks. The bug tent will give you a
place to relax, cook, eat, brush your teeth, and go to the bathroom if need be.
Gloves - Bring a pair of work gloves that close around your wrist. These will protect
your hands from insects and the elements. Leather gloves have worked well for me in
the past. These will get destroyed so bring a tough pair.
Use the Wind - Set up your tent in open spots that receive a breeze if storms
are not imminent. It is surprising how well the bugs can overcome a stiff
breeze, but it certainly helps.
Keep Moving - When you get up in the morning keep moving. It will take the insects
a while to find you and start swarming so go to the bathroom, brush your teeth, and
take care of anything you must do outside of the bug tent quickly.
Patrol the Tent - Make sure that you hunt down and squash all of the bugs in your
tent before going to bed. The insects will fly to the walls of the tent and stay there
making them easy to destroy. Enjoy it because their brethren will get you tomorrow.
Bug Shirts and Head Nets - Bring a bug shirt and at least one head net for each
person. There are many styles and some are light and comfortable. These items are
not heavy and do not take up much space. Bring them! Do NOT rely on bug spray as
it will not work well enough to protect you.
Bug Tent - I made a bug tent out of "no see um" netting available at camping and
military surplus stores. The tent had no floor and was supported by canoe paddles
and guy lines that could accommodate stakes or rocks. The bug tent will give you a
place to relax, cook, eat, brush your teeth, and go to the bathroom if need be.
Gloves - Bring a pair of work gloves that close around your wrist. These will protect
your hands from insects and the elements. Leather gloves have worked well for me in
the past. These will get destroyed so bring a tough pair.
Use the Wind - Set up your tent in open spots that receive a breeze if storms
are not imminent. It is surprising how well the bugs can overcome a stiff
breeze, but it certainly helps.
Keep Moving - When you get up in the morning keep moving. It will take the insects
a while to find you and start swarming so go to the bathroom, brush your teeth, and
take care of anything you must do outside of the bug tent quickly.
Patrol the Tent - Make sure that you hunt down and squash all of the bugs in your
tent before going to bed. The insects will fly to the walls of the tent and stay there
making them easy to destroy. Enjoy it because their brethren will get you tomorrow.
Eric with a healthy swarm of blackflies around his head on the Payne River.
Flies will land on every part of your body so be
prepared.
prepared.
That would be an itchy arm were it not for the shirt and head net.
A pretty good swarm.
The bug tent provided a place to rest, eat, and hang out. It was
essential on our trip.
essential on our trip.
This poor caribou was being relentlessly tormented by thousands of flies. The white
dots are blackflies and not snow.
dots are blackflies and not snow.
The bug tent provided such a safe haven it was even possible to make
pancakes.
pancakes.