Warning to dogs heading out to Christie Lake Conservation Area anytime soon: black flies are gonna eat you up.
Ribsy and Mirabel found this out the hard way. Especially Ribsy:
At least my rakish body is appetizing to something, Ribsy mused.
Thankfully it only looks really bad. Other than taking a hit in the looks department, Ribsy seems to be doing fine. He's not irritated or itchy. Just unsightly.
So Ribsy's learned that black flies...
- produce only one generation each year
- peak in number in June
- use sight and seem to be attracted to the color blue (and fawn whippets too, apparently)
- feed only during the day
- pollinate blueberries.
Possible remedies? Here's a homemade repellant that you can make and spray on your dog's coat when the pesky flies are around. Or you can buy this one.
