Syracuse.com - Entomologist talks more about best time for summer vacation in Central New York

[HuntingNY-News]

"I anticipate that this summer's populations of black flies and deer flies may be smaller than average," she said. However, deer tick populations seem to be exploding all over Central New York, she added.

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I recently interviewed Kim Adams, a Cooperative Extension entomologist with the SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry, recently about when was the best time "bug-wise" to take a summer vacation in Central New York.

Her comments were part of a story in which I stated my opinion, along with syracuse.com meteorologist Dave Eichorn's, that the best time to take a summer break was the last couple of months of July and the early part of August -- a stretch that generally has the sunniest and warmest weather each year.

Adams recently emailed me this followup response:

"My initial response to your question as put still stands but I think Central New Yorkers, or those who wish to visit Central New York, need to take the long view if planning to vacation here and be ready to jump on board when conditions favor fewer insects.

If one is saving one's pennies and planning, pick a year following a dry year, like last year, and a winter with little snow, like last year. I anticipate that this summer's populations of black flies and deer flies may be smaller than average.

Of course, if one is extremely flexible and can stick your backpack in the trunk at the most opportune time, you are not going to beat the first warm, insect-free days, be they in March or May!

If stuck with a week in mid-July following a week of rain, (or with a summer of fieldwork), it helps a little sometimes to remember that there are many places in the world where there is not enough water or where the water contributes to things far worse than we face here. It also helps to be able to vacation somewhere else besides the north woods.

And on that note, deer tick populations seem to be exploding all over Central New York.

It seems they are occurring almost everywhere and the best advice I can give anyone new to ticks is to remember to take appropriate precautions and I'm sure you have been over that many times.

"I am a Maryland native and ticks were simply a part of summer. We wore what we wanted; much too warm to wear long pants tucked into socks and long-sleeved shirts! Just need to remember to check yourself over thoroughly whenever coming in

Another direction to take with your question might be tolerance of the insect involved! As each group comes and goes I declare that this one MUST be the worst. Black flies, vicious, small, in your nose and eyes, between your eyeglasses and eyes, in your ears! UGH!! And, many people, if bitten more than a few times, develop an immune reaction, lymph nodes swell up etc. etc. Bites swell up and itch forever.

"To me, deer fly bites hurt the worst, but, if you can manage to leave them alone, the hurt wears off quickly. If, however, you end up where there are a lot of them they can drive you out of the woods faster than anything, almost literally. They will cover your back, biting right through your shirt, and your hands.

"Finally, mosquitoes. These guys are the persistent, perpetual enemy. I don't know whether it is best to hear them or not. We cannot audibly perceive all species, this applies to both mosquitoes and deer flies. If you hear them there is the anticipation factor. If not, you have no chance to try and get them before they get you.

"It is possible for many to deal with mosquitoes though, at least for a while, by wearing long pants and a long-sleeved shirt, a hat or net and some DEET."

View the full article on The Syracuse Outdoors Blog