BANGOR DAILY NEWS • July 23, 2024
Deer flies, horse flies or black flies slash their way into human skin with scissor-like mouthparts looking for a meal, leaving painful bites behind. There are dozens of species of black flies and hundreds of deer and horse flies with different regional distributions. How many will bite you this year probably depends on the number of short, intense rain events that happen where you live. This precipitation pattern is becoming more common in Maine, replacing longer storms that leave less standing water, according to Jim Dill, a pest management specialist with the UMaine Cooperative Extension. There are unusual deterrents to try. You could make a baby oil-covered helmet trap, fill a spray bottle with repellent of Epsom salts, mouthwash and stale beer, or rub your clothes with a dryer sheet.