Spring frost effects on biting insects?

[jimmay]

Here in South Eastern Ontario we have had a week or so of very summer like temperatures, in the 20C (70s), that brought on the black flys. Now this week we are having a very cold coupe of days with frost this morning. Does anyone know if or what affect frost will have on black flys and other biting insects? I have been putting off my first hang of the season due to primarily my busy schedule, but also due to the weather and now bugs.....

Guys, give me hope for the upcoming long weekend.......

Jim

[Cphobes]

Here in South Eastern Ontario we have had a week or so of very summer like temperatures, in the 20C (70s), that brought on the black flys. Now this week we are having a very cold coupe of days with frost this morning. Does anyone know if or what affect frost will have on black flys and other biting insects? I have been putting off my first hang of the season due to primarily my busy schedule, but also due to the weather and now bugs.....

Guys, give me hope for the upcoming long weekend.......

Jim

Abandon all hope, prepare to donate blood.

I have no idea if it helps or not, it pays to be prepared.

-Cphobes

[Whiskeyjack]

You'll need a good freeze, not just a day of frost to knock them back unfortunately. At least the bugs are out there. We're still getting snow flurries every couple of days.

[psyculman]

I was up on Mt. Madison in the Whites NH for this past weekend, there was not an insect to be seen. Just rain, and 30 degree howling wind. Would that have anything to do with it?

[FLRider]

I was up on Mt. Madison in the Whites NH for this past weekend, there was not an insect to be seen. Just rain, and 30 degree howling wind. Would that have anything to do with it?

The wind and the temperatures. Flying, biting insects aren't very active below 50* F, nor in winds above ~10 mph. If it's like that when it gets dark, no worries.

[Whiskeyjack]

The wind and the temperatures. Flying, biting insects aren't very active below 50* F, nor in winds above ~10 mph. If it's like that when it gets dark, no worries.

You obviously haven't been in Northern Ontario in the spring or fall. The blackflies have no issues with temps just above freezing and unless the wind is steady and very strong, you just get ones that wouldn't have found you biting you as they get blown your way.

[FLRider]

You obviously haven't been in Northern Ontario in the spring or fall. The blackflies have no issues with temps just above freezing and unless the wind is steady and very strong, you just get ones that wouldn't have found you biting you as they get blown your way.

Fair enough; we don't get black flies down here. Horseflies, yes. Mosquitoes, God, yes. No-see-'ems, yep. Even cicadas will bite you some times. But no black flies, and the rest go to bed around 50-ish.

[Deadphans]

Oh boy I remember those black flies during my days in Maine. Sheesh! tons of mosquitoes too.

As aforementioned, you will need a heavy frost to have any affect on these critters. Its not like your pretty geraniums or tomato plants that succumb so easily. Its always the annoying things that are harder to kill...right?

Wysteria anyone?