Anyone who has spent any time outdoors has likely encountered some form of insect or Insecta, the scientific name for what we commonly call bugs. It seems as though we have an ongoing rotation of certain species of insects. Let’s review some of them.
Here is my disclaimer. This is only an overview and not a comprehensive list.
Let’s begin with the latest annoying ones. Typically in May and June the gnats or no-see-ums are most prominent. The no-see-um name connotates that we don’t see them; however, we certainly feel them! Everywhere! Merriam-Webster defines no-see-um as a biting midge. The name supposedly originated by the American Indians in 1842. These “midges” cause the most even-tempered of individuals to exclaim harshly “the bugs are awful” or “the bugs are driving me crazy!” You get the point.
The next insect to arrive on the scene in June (depending on the weather) is the strawberry fly. These flies are usually around NJ during strawberry season and have a pinkish color.
The notorious greenhead fly usually comes in July. It is known for its green head, hence the name greenhead. No one wants to get a bite from a greenhead fly –it really hurts! Only the female bites as she looks for blood protein (eew!) However, they only bite during daylight hours, not at night.
An honorable mention must go to the black flies. You really notice them at the beach in August when they are chewing on your ankles and literally chase you off the beach.
Lastly, comes the mosquito. I mention the mosquito last because they seem to stick around the longest. “After the full moon in the warm weather months, there is an abundance of salt marsh mosquitoes. This is due to the full moon causing the flood tides in the salt marshes which, in turn causes mosquito broods to emerge in about 7 to 10 days,” according to Judy Hansen, retired superintendent of the Cape May County Mosquito Commission. Salt marsh mosquitoes bite all day long and they are migratory, meaning they don’t just stay in the marsh. They travel anywhere from ½ mile to 30 miles for a food source – US!
There are many species of mosquitoes and flies throughout the warm weather months. If you would like to keep the pesky uninvited insects out of your summertime celebrations, give Screenmobile a call at 465-5688 or www.screenmobile.com/cape-atlantic. We can re-screen your current screens; make a whole new screen porch, sliding screen doors and swinging screen doors, retractable screen doors, motorized screens for your garage or patio and more.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
