New England road trip?

Question

Looking for ideas and I am curious if there are a lot of insects to deal with during July and August in NEW England. (black flies??)

Answer 1

Oh yes, and judging from all the rain there should be plenty of mosquitos and black flies this summer. And then there are these nasty flies the size of cows (okay, a little hyperbole ... ) aptly named horseflies who are right out horrid along some of the less populous beaches (Plum Island in Mass particularly comes to mind). Horseflies will leave you with a welt-like bite so be sure to mix in plenty of insect repellant with that sunscreen, or be prepared to take the consequenses.

These flying bloodsuckers like still wet land in rural areas where the town doesn't spray insecticide on a regular basis. So avoid marshes, wetlands, forests and rarely used baseball parks (the insecticide is sprayed along the roads and doesn't get that far) if you have not recently bathed or showered in your favourite brand of repellant.

There do not seem to be as many biting insects at higher elevations in the White mountains ... except ticks ... so change type of repellant if necessary. And because of the large amount of spraying that is done, again, anywhere with a higher population density will be pretty much mosquito free (popular beach areas, towns, cities...) If you will be camping, pack lots of repellant and remember that citronella candles will ward off hungry mosquitos in about a one foot radius of the candle.

Lastly, if you have any choice in the matter, October is so much nicer! Honestly, the water in the ocean is so darned cold you aren't going to swim there in August anyway. In October the trees turn and the Green and White Mountains turn the warmest array of colours, very soothing and beautiful. The Cape is empty and serene, the bugs are hibernating and the whales are still watchable (though it can get quite chilly out there to sea). Beats August anyday.

Oh yeah, and beware: never wear a NY Yankees hat within 100 mi of Boston or a Red Sox fly could knock you right out cold :-)

Answer 2

I love the travel and I have found that I enjoy it best if I just wing it. You find the most amazing things to see and do this way, and you don't have the pressure of keeping a schedule. By the way, I'll be doing a road trip next year, too. We are going from Washington State, to San Diego, to Cabo San Lucas (just a little cruise -- it was a gift), back to San Diego, then we will state hop making extended stays with family and friends in Texas, Mississippi, Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, and Kentucky. Our final destination will be where we set up house, until we get tired of being in Kentucky, then we'll move on somewhere else.

Answer 3

Black flies hit early in the mountains ( May - June ) and the Cape during the hot months. Deerheads will get you as well.

Just use some Deet and you will be fine.

Answer 4

black flies? maybe in the northern mountains... but I associate them more with the marshy Adirondacks than with New England.

there may be the occassional mosquito, but no worse than many places during the summer (and better than many).