Lake Superior…..how bad are the bugs this time of year?

My brother just traveled every county in the up last week with a popup. Had a great time. Never mentioned bugs being bad

They are bad depending on the wind. If it's from the north, no problem, that keeps the bugs away. When it switches around to the south, the bugs are pushed out and hungry!

It's not mosquitoes, its the flies (some small, some large) and gnats (very small). The flies actually remove flesh, and the gnats like to crawl into your eyes, ears, nose and mouth.

Bug spray does not work against either really, the flies ignore it, even 100% deet. The gnats, well, spray is somewhat effective? I can tolerate it on my ears and a bit on my forehead, but the strong stuff tends to feel like burning on my skin after a while.

Long pants and sleeved shirts, light gloves and a bug net are the best defense. I still have scars on my legs from when I decided to hike around in the woods wearing shorts because it was 90 degrees.

Anywhere in the UP is usually bad for bugs this time of year. However we were just up there and it was cool, mid-60s for highs. Almost no bugs. Very nice! We've had some weeks in June where we got eaten alive.

It's getting a little warmer now, may hit some 70s in Munising this week. I'd still plan on bugs. I have not heard anything about tick dangers this year,so if you are doing any hiking stay on the trails and avoid tall grass.

We camp on the beach in Delaware and sometimes get eaten alive.... One trip the volunteer camp host told us about this - Johnsons baby - Green Bottle



It really does work well..... Keeps MOST of the chiggers and gnats off us completely....

Joe

The Northwoods in June are terrible.
Bring headnets and long sleeves.

was out on the islands one time said I,d never do it again ,that was 45yrs ago and havn,t even come close. it just spoils everything.

So, pre-treat your clothes with permethrin spray.
Apply some Johnson's to exposed skin.
Top it with Avon Skin So Soft.
Then use OFF with DEET as a sealer coat.

You'll be good to go. :D

I'll be headed up that way next month myself. Hopefully the bugs stay gone.

It can be hit or miss.
I used to work in the woods in the U.P. and black flies and skeeters were terrible in June and into July. We wore head nets and gloves...no bare skin anywhere and bite proof clothing.

But a couple of years ago, the wife and I took an RV trip through the U.P. In mid-June and had nary a skeeter and no black flies. I was shocked. We only encountered bad, but tolerable skeeters at Lake Goebic State Park in western U.P.

In Grand Marais right now. Flies were bad when I arrived. However the temperature has plummeted now and that seems to have scared them off. Barely 50F right now.

The Winged Menace Season normally gets better by mid-July.

Permaethrin on cloths (shirts, pants, socks, etc.) will normally last for a month, and Picardin is somewhat effective on the skin.

We use headnets rather than lather up the face. Also, don't forget your hands.