Today was the first day that I was beaten back indoors by black flies. The sun was out, there was even a breeze, but there was no true escape from the little buggers unless you had a roof over your head. Brides and their “to-be’s” of choice are heading up to experience the Mount Washington Valley’s natural beauty as I write, unknowingly signing off on their pound of flesh for the bugs.
Here are the rumors on repelling those which can’t really be repelled.
- Waving a sappy pine branch over your head. Not too practical for brides, but it is said that the smellier the branch the better.
- DEET doesn’t work and it might actually attract black flies. I avoid this product because it melts plastic – not good for cameras equals not good for you or your family.
- Avoid areas that have lightly running streams…black flies hatch in running water. Mosquitoes prefer stagnant pools.
- Black flies prefer dark colors. Lucky brides, unlucky grooms. If you must wear dark, try a lighter top, darker bottoms with the cuffs tucked in (the 1980′s revisited). The dark color below will pull the flies away from your head, their favorite spot to bite.
- Black flies prefer nice, warm, sunny days with no wind. So do we.
- Some fragrances that been getting some attention for their ability to repel black flies are vanilla, garlic and catnip. Try a mist (and may I suggest using vanilla on your wedding day…unless you are tying the knot with a tabby cat).
- I have also heard through the wedding grapevine that tucking dryer sheets into your dress or tux can keep you sane. And it makes you smell freshly laundered, which is a plus.
- Black flies stop biting you and start looking for a window once they realize they have piggybacked their way indoors. Mosquitos…not so much. So run out, get married, run in. In that order.
- The old saying states that black flies are here from Mother’s Day to Father’s Day. Don’t believe it – come prepared all summer long so you won’t become a snack.
Let me know what works for you and maybe we can keep those happy couples smiling long enough to capture some great video.
Cheers,
Kelly Cicero
Kelly Cicero Films
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