Greenheads - Tell me more... (Newburyport, Salisbury: live, beach, best)

[SwiftCreek]

Hi all,

I'm looking at some properties in Newbury, West Newbury area and one of my coworkers mentioned the greenhead flies and how awful they are. I did some google searches and sure enough, they sound nasty.

I'd like to know how bad they are on the north shore and how long the season lasts. I heard Plum Island & Crane Beach can get pretty bad.

Also would like to hear more about black fly season.

Thanks

[TheWereRabbit]

The greenies come in late July into August. Probably like 3 weeks. They are awful on the coast so probably a little bit better in West Newbury. But, on the other hand, the black flies seem to prefer it a little inland.

I'm sure someone can explain this more scientifically. But ya, they suck

[Valerie C]

Hi SwiftCreek
Thankfully, the greenhead season is short but while it's here, they can be brutal and nasty. They love to bite when we are trying to take the boat in and out of the water in Newburyport (you know, when you have to concentrate on what you are doing...) Whoever told you how bad they are at Cranes and Plum Island are entirely correct. They are heaviest in areas with salt marshes... My favorite expression for them is that they don't suck, they bite, and they bite HARD (will leave you bloody). You'll probably be ok in the more inland towns such as West Newbury, but Newbury, Salisbury, Seabrook, Newburyport have the little nasties for the last couple of weeks every July (just in time for Yankee (Go) Homecoming Week in Newburyport

[in_newengland]

Aren't they just at the beaches and marshes? I don't think the greenheads bother you where you live (unless you live near a salt marsh), do they? I wouldn't sit on Crane's Beach during those few weeks but I never noticed them around town.

[baystater]

Greenheads + August + Beaches/Marshes = Welts

[SwiftCreek]

Thanks for the replies! Does DEET repel them?

[Gracespirit]

You get a "bug shirt" -- it also goes over your head -- that is netting soaked in Deet. I like to grow citronella (it's a geranium) and wear some of it in my hat or wrapped in a bandana around my ankles to repel ticks. But really, watch out for the poison ivy.

[petehunt]

Oneo f my best friend lives in West Newbury and has lived there for many years. I worked building there for two summers in the '80s. While there are greenhead flies in Newburyport and especially on Plum Island, I never saw on in West Newbury.
Nice town. No Greenheads.
PH

[Valerie C]

Nope, no greenheads in West Newbury. But in Newbury itself (near Rowley/Ispwich) yup, plenty there. Again, where there are salt marshes, there will be greenheads