Key Takeaways
- Ticks and biting flies are moving beyond mere nuisances; Lyme disease and rare pathogens like Powassan virus are spreading across North America.
- Black flies (Simuliidae) are most irritating in June in northern forested areas, swarming the head and causing prolonged itching, while mosquitoes remain the broader disease vectors.
- Climate change is shifting black‑fly distributions northward and, when combined with wetter springs, can boost both mosquito and black‑fly populations.
- Arctic observations and Inuit reports confirm rising black‑fly abundance, supporting earlier survey data from Doug Currie’s work.
- Lyme disease diagnosis is often delayed because many victims do not recall a tick bite; thorough exposure histories and early testing are critical.
- Geneticks, founded by Lyme‑survivor Justin Wood, offers comprehensive tick‑pathogen testing and advises practical prevention steps (repellents, clothing, tick checks, dryer treatment).
- Ontario’s Vector‑borne Disease Tool provides interactive surveillance maps for Lyme, anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Powassan, West Nile virus and vector activity, helping public health and individuals assess risk.
- Protective clothing such as the Original Bug Shirt (OBSC) line offers chemical‑free barrier protection, with fabrics chosen for breathability, UV protection, and durability.
- Effective repellents in Canada rely on DEET, Icaridin/Picaridin, or citronella‑based products; proper application and re‑application are essential.
- Outdoor enthusiasts like Adam Shoalts rely on physical barriers (bug nets, campfire smoke) and environmental awareness to reduce bites while enjoying the backcountry.
Introduction
Ticks and biting flies are no longer just seasonal annoyances; they are emerging public‑health concerns. Lyme disease continues its march across North America, while rare but severe threats such as Powassan virus appear on surveillance radars. Experts stress that awareness, prevention, and early action are now more important than ever, especially as climate shifts alter insect habitats and human exposure patterns.
Expert View on Annoyance: Black Flies vs. Mosquitoes
Douglas (Doug) Currie, Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, notes that judging which insect is more annoying depends on location and timing. Overall, mosquitoes rank as the most serious pests because of their ubiquity, long activity period (day and night, indoors and out), and role as disease vectors. However, in June in northern Ontario, black flies can feel far more irritating: they swarm the head, bombard the face, and leave bites that weep for hours and itch for days or weeks, sometimes overshadowing even abundant mosquitoes.
Black‑Fly Biology and Ecological Role
Black flies belong to the family Simuliidae; Canada hosts at least 164 of the world’s >2,300 species. Their larvae develop in flowing water, making streams, rivers, and lake outlets prime habitats—especially in northern temperate and subarctic regions. Female black flies require a blood meal to lay eggs, prompting their biting behavior. Larvae are ecologically vital: large rivers can support over 600,000 larvae per square metre, producing up to a billion adults per kilometre per day. They serve as food for fish and aquatic invertebrates, while adult flies become prey for birds, and their feeding transforms fine organic particles into nutrient‑rich fecal matter that enriches aquatic ecosystems.
Climate‑Change Influences on Biting Insects
Currie points out that no systematic year‑to‑year monitoring of biting‑fly numbers exists, making it hard to attribute population changes solely to climate. Nevertheless, he observes a clear northward expansion of black‑fly distribution, confirmed by revisiting sites from the 1948‑1962 Northern Insect Survey (2010‑2013). He notes that climate change can act as a two‑edged sword: wetter conditions favor both mosquitoes (standing water) and black flies (running water), potentially boosting their numbers, while drier spells may suppress certain species.
Arctic Validation and Inuit Observations
Danielle Nowosad, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Calgary’s Soghigian & Kutz Labs, builds on Currie’s earlier work. She reports scientific evidence of increased black‑fly diversity in some Arctic territories, corroborated by Inuit land‑users and harvesters in the Kitikmeot region who describe a noticeable rise in biting‑insect severity over recent years. These local observations reinforce the survey‑based findings of shifting insect ranges tied to a warming climate.
Lyme Disease, Powassan Virus, and Investigative Journalism
Mary Beth Pfeiffer, an award‑winning investigative journalist based in New York’s Hudson Valley—a Lyme‑disease hotspot—has chronicled the disease’s spread in her book Lyme: The First Epidemic of Climate Change. Her work highlights how a warming world has facilitated the geographic expansion of Borrelia burgdorferi and its tick vectors, while also exposing shortcomings in medical recognition, pharmaceutical responses, and public‑policy approaches. Pfeiffer stresses that Lyme has been minimized, underestimated, and politicized, urging a more robust, science‑driven response.
Diagnostic Challenges and the Rise of Testing
Justin Wood, founder of Geneticks, contracted late‑disseminated Lyme disease in 2015 after a tick bite that went unnoticed. His struggle to obtain a correct diagnosis underscores a common problem: many patients do not recall being bitten, leading to delayed treatment and debilitating sequelae (e.g., difficulty reading or walking). Drawing on his genetics background, Wood launched Geneticks to provide broad‑spectrum tick‑pathogen testing, aiming to identify not only Lyme‑causing agents but also emerging or rare pathogens that may appear as ecosystems shift.
Geneticks Service and Preventive Advice
Geneticks tests ticks for the full panel of known tick‑borne pathogens in Canada, updating its repertoire as new threats emerge. Wood advises the public to learn tick habitats, use repellents containing icaridin (picaridin) or DEET, wear light‑colored, skin‑covering clothing, conduct frequent tick checks, and tumble‑dry clothes on high heat for 40 minutes after outdoor activities. If a tick is found embedded, safe removal (per Geneticks.ca instructions) followed by submission for testing can reveal pathogen exposure and guide early medical intervention, potentially averting serious disease manifestations.
Public Health Surveillance Tools
Ontario’s Vector‑borne Disease Tool offers an interactive platform for exploring trends in human cases of anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Lyme disease, Powassan virus infection, and West Nile virus, as well as mosquito and black‑legged tick surveillance data in established risk areas. Users can visualize geographic patterns from 2014 to the present week, helping health agencies and individuals gauge exposure risk. The tool distinguishes between confirmed human case maps (public health) and Geneticks’ tick‑pathogen maps, which indicate the presence of disease‑carrying ticks rather than diagnosed illness.
Protective Clothing: The Original Bug Shirt Company
For those favoring chemical‑free protection, the Original Bug Shirt Company (OBSC) in Powassan, Ontario, offers a longstanding solution. Founded in 1989 by Bob Meister and Sara Callaway, OBSC grew from frustration with ineffective repellents to a mission of creating comfortable, effective, environmentally conscious insect‑protective apparel. After partnering with JMI Design Studio for manufacturing, Julie Gohm and her husband acquired the company in 2019. OBSC’s “Elite” line features ribbed cuffs, adjustable wrist cords, a chest pocket with Velcro, and a two‑way face zipper for easy snack access, while the “Original” line delivers core protection with fewer frills. Fabrics include a soft, moisture‑absorbing cotton suited for relaxed use and a lightweight, quick‑drying polyester ideal for rugged activities such as hiking, fishing, or hunting. The shirts also provide 98.9 % UV protection, adding a sun‑safety benefit.
Insect Repellents: Actives and Options
Health Canada‑approved repellents rely on DEET, Icaridin (picaridin), or high‑quality natural alternatives. Leading products include PiACTIVE (20 % Icaridin), Ben’s (30 % DEET), OFF! Deep Woods (25 % DEET), and Muskol (up to 30 % DEET). The historic McKirdy’s Repalfly—a citronella‑based formulation first patented in 1911—remains in production today, prized by some for its organic pedigree. Citronella works by masking attractive scents rather than killing insects, necessitating more frequent re‑application than synthetic options. Regardless of choice, users must follow label directions to ensure safety and efficacy, being mindful of potential skin irritation or damage to synthetic fabrics from DEET.
Closing Thoughts and Call to Preparedness
Adam Shoalts, famed Canadian adventurer and author, rarely wears bug shirts but relies on bug nets, breezy open water, and campfire smoke to keep insects at bay during his solitary treks. His experience underscores that a combination of physical barriers, environmental awareness, and sensible preparation can markedly reduce bite risk while still allowing enjoyment of the outdoors. As the “bugs are coming” refrain reminds us, staying informed about shifting insect distributions, employing proven repellents and protective clothing, performing diligent tick checks, and seeking timely testing when bites occur are essential steps to safely navigate the back roads of Canada’s evolving landscape.