As temperatures rise across Nova Scotia, many residents are encountering more blackflies than usual, but there may be a positive side to this surge in insect activity.
Andrew Hebda, a former zoology curator at the Nova Scotia Museum, explained to CBC’s Information Morning Halifax that blackflies remain inactive during winter and cold spells. They become active in spring with the warming weather, and this season, they are emerging rapidly.
Hebda mentioned that if the current weather persists for 10 days to two weeks, the majority of blackflies will have emerged, reproduced, and then disappeared for the summer. Unlike mosquitoes, which can have multiple generations in a single season, blackflies only have one generation per year.
Last year, the dry conditions suppressed blackfly populations despite higher temperatures, according to Hebda.
To avoid blackflies, it is recommended to stay away from tall grass and wooded areas. For mosquitoes, Hebda suggests staying in open spaces with strong, steady winds. Bug sprays can help mask your scent, and bug jackets can provide a physical barrier against insects.
Overall, this season’s emergence of blackflies may be intense at first but is likely to diminish as they complete their life cycle for the year.
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