Wow, thank you for the detailed guidance, and yes we do have cats so this is very helpful. Starting to wonder if we should just avoid too much exploring of the natural areas, which seems a shame but I didn’t realise there was so many insects to consider. Naïve tourist alert 🙁

We do get snow in March here too but it’s only that deep in the North/Scotland. I can’t even imagine 😳 do you get snowdrops or daffodils?

Thank you, what lovely creatures they seem to be! Curious to know if they have any environmental benefits to redeem themselves 🙂

Thank you, very interesting to read as some people have said the black flies don’t really tend to bite. Always better safe than sorry

Wow, these flies seem to really like humans 😳 we must smell tasty

Thank you, it definitely seems to be the advice of the overwhelming majority

Thank you, on reflection think I’ll try to avoid the woods

Thank you ☺️ I have a bullet journal almost full of planning for this trip 😁 the planning is at least half the fun for sure

😆 laughed out loud at the pina colada, it’s my favourite cocktail. Coconut oil eh? Is there anything it can’t do? What a hero product. Thanks for the tip, anything’s worth a try 🙂

Wow, that’s really interesting, thanks for the tip 🙂 to be honest it can sometimes be the same here, we get flowers and blossoms blooming around now but it can take ages for the trees to join the party. It seems like you just wake up one day and they’re all suddenly green again!

Thank you, my research is now moving on to deer flies and ticks!

Thanks very much, writing this all down 🙂 never had a tick bite! Will be keeping an eye out for sure

Thank you, weather-wise it sounds like a home away from home 🙂 lovely to hear from people that have lived/live in some of the areas we’re visiting. I’m sure we will encounter some flies towards the end of the break so we will prepare accordingly! Thanks again

Thanks very much, sounds very much like English weather in May 🙂

Thank you, this is great advice that will also help me pack suitable clothes. Can’t wait to visit 🤍

😆 sorry, should have said black flies I guess

Thank you, Manchester first and then over by the lakes

Thanks, I’m not allergic to the point that I’ll struggle to breath, I just sometimes get quite big swellings from bites that are itchy

Thank you, really appreciate the information. I also seem to repel repellents 😂 but I will continue to read up. Also now looking into information on deer flies….

Thank you, we will be visiting some wooded areas and some lakes so this is definitely useful information. Deer flies 😬 sound fun! Any recommendations for natural repellents? Thanks again

Thanks very much for the advice, we’ll be coming up from Boston and staying in Manchester then Meredith, probably spending some time near the lakes. I appreciate the weather is a big factor and that’s also a tricky thing to prepare for because from what I’ve read it’s pretty unpredictable in New England 🙂 I’m assuming long sleeves and pants are fairly typical in May?

Thanks for your feedback, do you have any recommendations regarding repellants? I’ve read that lavender oil is effective? Also, would you say the flies are mostly an issue in wooded areas or maybe near water or are they just everywhere?! Thanks again