[One Country Boy]

I don't think the "skeeters" ever disappeared here, not even in the 3 or maybe 4 days we had freezing temps this winter. I hate putting that stuff on. It's always oily and stinks to high heaven. Better then roughing it though. Some folks down here use meat tenderizer (moistened) to help eliminate the itch after the bites. We were noticing a day or two ago, we have what I think you are referring to as "black flies" Galen. They look like what we call "house flies" but bite !!! I mean they can put a tremendous hurt on you too. I think they are also what we call "Dog Flies". You know, "Dog Days of Summer". Seems early for them, but the seasons have changed here, so I guess everything else has changed as well.