Black flies lay their eggs in fresh, clean water. (Provided photo — Diane Chase)

To no one’s surprise, those tiny critters are celebrating spring their way with an A, O, or B cocktail, depending on your blood type. Those evil blackflies sip nectar and do their fancy dance to repopulate their species. Once the males contribute what they can, it’s time to meet their maker. The vicious females hang about feeding on blood like the vampires they are. They need blood to nourish their growing eggs, so I become an unwilling donor. Yes. Yes. Black flies lay their eggs in moving rivers and streams and are a sign of clean water. I understand.

When I first moved here, I thought a housefly was a blackfly because it was black and a fly. The housefly was loud and slow. Why complain about those helicopter flies when something else caused welts around my ankles and wrists? What creature swarmed my head, making my face swell like I lost a fight? It’s the true blackfly, not its noisy neighbor. I didn’t realize that something less than one-eighth of an inch long could instill such fear.

The only thing that keeps me sane is that fish will eat the blackfly larvae, and other insects and birds will eat any emerging adults. Those devious pests detect body temperature and carbon dioxide, so I may or may not use the dog as a decoy. The battle cry is always the same. I will not let them win by keeping me inside. I will survive, even if I’m a pint lighter. I can’t do it on my own, though. I dress in the recommended lighter colors and slather on the bug repellent.

My family has told me to ignore them. The more I huff and puff, the more I will attract them. I need my family to stop applying logic to the situation. I can’t meditate these beasts away.

Bye, Bye Blackfly, LLC salve, and Wildwood by Carpe Insectae spray are two natural products produced locally. I don’t like using strong chemicals, and these products work and smell lovely. One is a balm, while the other product is a spray. Other friends recommend a head net. You get to decide what you put on and in your body. I just need to remember to put up the defenses. Good luck with your own battle!