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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Trip Planning Forum :: July, Aug, Sept info
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| Author | Message Text | ||
| Jaywalker |
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| singlebladecanoe |
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| bhouse46 |
July berries and bugs, watch for storms August crowds, fewer bugs, great swimming September, mixed crowds bugs going away, mixed weather |
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| singlebladecanoe |
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| TuscaroraBorealis |
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| boonie |
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| jillpine |
I'm assuming by gnats you mean black flies. I have never been bothered by gnats as they do not bite. Black flies on the other hand...They are the same size but very different in behavior." By "gnat", I was referring to insects in the order Dipterans, family Simuliidae. This includes the black fly, called buffalo gnat in other parts. This insect is not the same as the no-see-um, which is even smaller, and is a gnat and does bite. The black fly, as called in the BWCA, is also not the same as the stable fly - the ones that bite the ankles (painfully) - Stomoxys calitrans, and also in a different taxonomic family. There are around 30 species of Simuliidae in this area of the country; some bite and some do not. Below is a link to a handy reference from Jaywalker, as it causes confusion, like my previous post. I should have more clearly communicated that the approach to not letting insects ruin a trip is multi-faceted: one part chemicals if you will, one part physical barrier, and one part mental. Part of the approach is understanding a bit about the specific biting insect biology and ecology (if, when and how it bites). To say one technique / chemical / method flat-out doesn't work or works better than others on all biting insects is a bit unfair. I was trying to offer an idea about what insects might be more prevalent than others, so the original poster could perhaps get an idea about control. For the insects in Simuliidae, I find DEET not as helpful and physical barriers the most helpful. It's like fishing, only reverse. Jaywalker's insect guide |
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| Michwall2 |
jillpine: " Bring wool, long leggings / sleeves and a beanie every month but especially June and September. " +1 - The coldest day/night I have spent in the BW was the second week of Aug. |
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| x2jmorris |
July is too hot, too many bugs, but fruit. End of august is amazing and hardly any bugs. Still people around though. September is amazing. Less people, no bugs, decent fishing. October is amazing. No bugs, no people, decent fishing. |
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| jillpine |
Early August brings lots of people. Bugs are around but kind of whatever-part of the deal as opposed to trying to carry you away. Fishing is slow in the heat and swimming is incredible. Late August is great. Crowds drop off, water is still warm for swimming and you can already see shorter days and summer showing signs of packing up and heading south. September is great. But surprisingly can be more people than you'd think. Usually no bad storms. Later in the month you'll probably see some snow. Bugs are gone. Bring wool, long leggings / sleeves and a beanie every month but especially June and September. |
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| BobDobbs |
Which sucks, since I love September and I'm allergic to wasps :-( |
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| mgraber |
jillpine: "July bugs are flies and mosquitoes. Gnats are done by then. Usually no snow. But cold rains still happening. Fishing slows down and it gets hot. I'm assuming by gnats you mean black flies. I have never been bothered by gnats as they do not bite. Black flies on the other hand...They are the same size but very different in behavior. |