While many bathers enjoy a day at the beach in Delaware and New Jersey, they have noticed some strange flies.
It is about the species of flies “Tabanus Nigrovittatus”, they are also known as green-headed flies.
This is what you should know about them:
What are Tabanus nigrovittatus flies?
It is a biting species and is found in coastal areas on the east coast of the United States. They are most active in July and September, according to the Department of Entomology and Economic Zoology at Rutgers University.
They feed on sugary products for energy and females feed on blood during gestation, as it helps them develop their eggs. They are similar to mosquitoes, in that they attack humans, livestock, and other insects.
wind vs. flies
Wind direction plays a huge role in why these flies are seen on the beaches of New Jersey and Delaware. Southwesterly onshore winds from marshes and wetlands can increase the number of flies on the shoreline.
How to prevent bites
According to the Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project, these flies can smell the carbon dioxide you produce when you exhale, which is why they constantly bite people. When they bite you, they inject their saliva into your bloodstream, which contains a chemical that prevents blood from clotting, causing pain.
To avoid bites, the following is recommended:
- Wear long-sleeved clothing and pants
- Wear light colored clothes
- insect repellent
- Products containing lavender or eucalyptus
Track flies from your phone
Delaware Surf Fishing has created a new way to track those pesky flies. In their application, they can search for the beach that they will visit and a meter will rate the conditions at that moment on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst.
The app is just a trial and is available at Google Play Store and will soon be available on the Apple App Store.
