Up my nose, in my ears, behind my ears, caught in the tangle of my hair, along my hairline, up my sleeves, down my collar, between my fingers, under my shirt, and up to my bra-line.
Inhaling them through both nose and mouth, and choking on them when they hit the back of my throat.
Normally I can handle this. I have dealt with this problem every spring in several provinces and over many years. I often don't wear bug repellent and generally suffer few bites. The bites I do get on my hands or along my bra-line are the worst on the itch-meter.
I have learned to keep cool when a couple hundred black flies (class insecta, order diptera, and in the family simuliidae) circle my head as I watch the birds and note the beauty of woodland spring flowers.
However, there are limits.
Recently I was deep in the woods at the back of the Pinnacle near Baldwin's Mills -- now designated as H. F. Baldwin Park -- just doing my job recording the bird species for the park. The day was warm and overcast and the black flies were, well, beyond the pale. I know, I know, we all have our black fly stories. They are sort of like fish tales.
"The black flies were as big as pterodactyls... they swarmed on poor Billy and he was never seen again!"
In my case, they were so bad that if I stopped to watch the birds I literally could not see through the cloud in front of me. Furthermore, the bloodthirsty wretches were going directly for my eyes -- landing in the corners, hanging from my eyelashes and eyebrows. I became virtually visually impaired and was forced to observe on the move, using only songs and calls to identify the birds.
Needless to say, I greatly dislike these biting insects but I do not wish them gone for good -- just absent on the mornings I am in the woods.
Over a hundred species of black flies have been recorded in Canada. Of those very few actually take human blood. Most species prefer bird blood and a significant number do not take blood at all.
Only adult females bite, taking blood before laying their 150-800 eggs in the oxygenated (moving) water of streams and rivers. The female bites by cutting a hole in the skin with her rasping tongue, injecting anticoagulants, and lapping up the blood that pools in the hole.
Some people, my son for one, have a strong allergic reaction to the anticoagulant including fever, nausea, and rashes. If you experience any of these reactions, please take it seriously and consult your doctor. Allergic reactions can worsen with increased exposure.
Black fly eggs and larva are very susceptible to damage by pollution. If you have black flies near you then be happy, it means your water is clean. The larvae are filter feeders and often occur in such large numbers that they can actually improve the quality of the water. Black fly larvae also supply a valuable food source for many fish species.
Emerging adults live for about two to three weeks. Black fly season varies each year. The flies remain inactive until the air temperature rises to at least 10 degrees Celsius. Mid-May to mid-June seems to be the rule in the Townships.
There are a few small mercies when it comes to black fly season. A good breeze will keep them at bay. Unlike mosquitoes, they do not come indoors, are only active during the day, and cannot bite through clothing.
You can protect yourself from black fly bites by wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Tuck your pant legs into your socks and your shirt into your pants. I forgot this last point Tuesday, hence the red itchy welts high on my abdomen.
Wear light-colored clothing. The flies are attracted to dark colors so blue, purple, black, and brown are not good fashion choices this month. White and yellow are definitely you if you are heading into the bush. Black flies are attracted to the carbon dioxide we breath out, so try to stay calm -- hyperventilation doesn't help.
Finally, wear a hat. I hear the green ones with the netting attached are in this year.
Don't worry, black fly season will be over soon. Then your evenings will belong to the mosquitoes.