Biting bugs are out in force

I'm still scratching mosquito bites and putting cream on the numerous horsefly bites (or maybe they were greenhead or deerfly bites, I was too busy swatting them away to notice specifics) this morning that I got at Reid State Park. But it seems that Georgetown isn't the only place with a lot of biting insects -- people are saying that there are more of them at Maine beaches this year.

Charlene Donahue, an entomologist with the Maine Forest Service, said that while she doesn't have any data on greenheads, she's heard reports that deerflies -- close cousins of the greenhead fly -- are present in greater numbers. She said no one can be sure, however, because the state doesn't have the resources to keep track of the numbers of insects that don't carry diseases that threaten people's health or hurt the state's economy by destroying trees. What is certain is that we're in the heart of the season for deerflies and greenheads, as well as their other annoying relatives such as horseflies, and a bite by even one or two of the hard-to-kill insects can be a spoiler for people trying to enjoy the outdoors.

But this is the bit that was oh so pleasant to read over morning tea:

And the insects, which are swift and agile, also all have blade- like mouth parts instead of needle-like organs that biting insects like mosquitoes have. "They have mouth parts that tear into your skin and then they lap up the blood," Donahue said.

Makes me want to run to the beach tomorrow.

Read the rest of the story: Hordes of the flies

But if you're so inclined to head to the ocean this weekend, be sure to bring plenty of bug spray. And if the kids are in charge of packing it, make sure you've got a full bottle!