Are you planning a go to to Michigan’s Higher Peninsula? Have you ever heard the horror tales of bugs within the UP? The reality is that there are a whole lot of bugs in Michigan’s Higher Peninsula, particularly in late spring and early Summer time (Might/June)! However do not allow them to scare you off.
All that magnificence comes with a price.
And the bugs within the UP chunk. The mosquitos are unhealthy sufficient that some Yoopers name them the official chicken of the UP.
That ought to provide you with an concept of how large they’re.
However the bugs that – forgive me – bug me essentially the most are biting black and steady flies.
And that is what we’re concentrating this submit about.
Bugs within the UP will be horrible at occasions!
Technically, we’re speaking about two sorts of fly species.
Black flies are small, darkish flies with a humped again that can provide a painful chunk. Not like a mosquito (which sucks up blood by way of a proboscis), black flies slash the pores and skin and lap up the pooled blood.
Stable flies have darkish stripes on their again and a checkerboard-like sample on the highest of their stomach. A distinguishing characteristic of the steady fly, seen to the bare eye, is the distinct stiletto-like proboscis of the steady fly, which extends ahead past the pinnacle. This sharply pointed beak is used to pierce the pores and skin and draw blood.
And at occasions, they may swarm you.
Bugs within the UP are most prevalent alongside the Lake Superior shoreline
In my guide, these two biting bugs within the UP are equally evil. And everytime you go to in early summer season, you will meet them. They’re going to discover you on the seashore, within the woods, on the campground. Inside your RV.
However the factor is, they aren’t an issue on daily basis. In the future they will be there in hordes. The subsequent day, which weather-and-wind-wise appeared simply the identical, they’re no downside.
Go determine. Bugs within the UP are unpredictable.
When are the bugs within the UP the worst?
Locals – they name themselves Yoopers – inform me to not purchase into the Chamber of Commerce spin that there’s a season for bugs within the UP.
It is all summer season lengthy, they are saying, from the primary frost-free days in Might by way of the primary freeze in October.
It has been our expertise, although, that from mid-July they noticeably lower in numbers. In September and October – our favourite time in Michigan’s Higher Peninsula – they aren’t a lot of an issue in any respect.
That stated, let me stress that we aren’t Yoopers. We go to there a number of occasions a yr and whereas it appears to us that bugs within the UP will not be so unhealthy in late summer season, that’s no assure that you simply will not have points.
The video exhibits what bugs within the UP are like up there.
The video above provides you a way of what to anticipate about bugs within the UP in case you’ll be visiting the world.
However wait, there’s extra. One other Bug within the UP video!
Nonetheless not satisfied about how mad the bugs within the UP are? Okay, then watch the video beneath, shot in July a couple of years again when Jennifer and I and our canine on the time, Tai, visited the Porcupine Mountain area on the western finish of Michigan’s Higher Peninsula.
I introduced alongside all types of bug repellants and gizmos that supposedly would discourage the flies. We examined all of them out.
The video says all of it.
Tricks to keep away from biting black and steady flies suggestions and bugs within the UP
Now, admittedly, in case you can schedule your journey earlier than the tip of Might and after mid-July, you will encounter fewer bugs within the UP.
However if you’re decided to go throughout these early summer season weeks, know that you’ll nonetheless have a whole lot of enjoyable. You may nonetheless be wowed by the fantastic thing about Michigan’s Higher Peninsula.
And you will not be bugged all the time.
Listed below are 5 tricks to decrease the bug issues:
- Put on light-colored clothes
- Put on lengthy pants or denims (they have an inclination to chunk essentially the most beneath the knees, particularly across the ankles)
- Defend your pets (they chunk canines, too)
- Use a display tent to allow you to get outdoors however maintain the flies and skeeters out. We not too long ago did a assessment on the 5 finest ones for RVers. See it at https://rvlifestyle.com/best-screen-tents-for-camping/
- Put on a “bug hat” that has a chunk of netting that covers your face and neck. Here is one on Amazon that Jen and I’ve – https://amzn.to/3xyho3Z
We even have an Ultimate “Bug Off” Shopping List that is value testing.
Do not let the bugs scare you off!
Sure, they’re a actuality of hanging out in a few of the most fantastic wilderness you possibly can expertise.
This e-book is a seven-stop guided exploration of the Michigan UP. We offer a recommended route and itinerary, hyperlinks to a number of campgrounds and boondocking spots, and the very best spots to see alongside the best way. Don’t plan your journey to the Higher Peninsula with out it!
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