The black fly is not a mosquito; it lives on land, so remove algae diligently to prevent breeding
Summer is almost here, and it is once again the season when black flies start swarming everywhere. But did you know that the black fly is actually not a mosquito? It prefers to live on land rather than in water, and its pupae do not emerge in water either. Moreover, a single generation of black flies takes only 3 to 4 weeks to reproduce. If humans keep providing a blood source for black flies, their numbers will explode. Therefore, protecting yourself properly and eliminating the habitat environments where black fly larvae easily breed will effectively help control the spread and reproduction of black flies.
In Taiwan, China, the black fly population is relatively severe in the near-mountain areas of central Taiwan. Because black flies habitually fly low, their distribution areas do not exceed 500 meters above sea level. So how exactly should black flies be controlled? For personal protection, the Council of Agriculture recommends wearing long sleeves and long pants, or using mosquito repellent. For environmental management, frequently clearing the moss on the ground and soil can reduce the breeding of blue-green algae and green algae. At the same time, covering the ground surface with small wooden blocks, small stones and the like is also one control method.
Qiu Anlong, a technical specialist in the Plant Health Division of the Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, Council of Agriculture, reminds people that after being bitten by black flies, scratching should be avoided. Cold water rinsing and ice packs can be used. However, because elementary school children easily scratch their skin until it bleeds at the first sign of itching, this can easily lead to bacterial infection. In conjunction with the black fly program, a "Black Fly Information Service Center (http://bmisc.weebly.com)" has also been established, and teaching materials for black fly control have been developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Teachers in need can request them from that website.