Community Forums

johnhicks · 11-26-2021, 02:51 PM

Hi folks.

We're working up a plan for next summer and, since we'll already be in southern Indiana, going along the eastern or western shore of Michigan for a couple or weeks or a month.

We've become dimly aware that biting flies are a problem at least part of the summer. We're used to mosquitos, no-see-ums and deerflies in the southeast, but that doesn't mean we like them.

So what part of the season, June through August, do you recommend, and where? "Go somewhere else" is also a valid answer.

Stateboy · 11-26-2021, 02:53 PM

It sounds like you're talking about the black flies in the UP. If you're talking the eastern or western shore of Michigan, I take that as staying south of the bridge where black flies are nowhere near as invasive as what you encounter in the upper peninsula. You may want to specify for others as to what part of Michigan you're looking to travel to.

twogypsies · 11-26-2021, 03:43 PM

The flies are bad in June. August/Sept are good months to tour the very busy Michigan.

johnhicks · 11-26-2021, 03:57 PM

We're thinking up to Alpena maybe.

2cyber71 · 11-26-2021, 04:01 PM

We’ve been up to Whitefish Point to the Shipwreck Museum in August, No Flys.
It’s beautiful up there

ArtJoyce · 11-26-2021, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stateboy

It sounds like you're talking about the black flies in the UP. If you're talking the eastern or western shore of Michigan, I take that as staying south of the bridge where black flies are nowhere near as invasive as what you encounter in the upper peninsula. You may want to specify for others as to what part of Michigan you're looking to travel to.

That been our experience with the flies biting. Its in the up'er. lower no issues with flies. And I can not think of an issue on the eastern side of the up'er.

Stateboy · 11-26-2021, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnhicks

We're thinking up to Alpena maybe.

If Alpena is your destination, Harrisville State Park is 33 miles south of Alpena and right on Lake Huron. Site 51 gives you your own chunk of beach and beautiful lake sunrises. Most breezy evenings will keep the pests away. A rainy summer will dictate your mosquitoes count but black flies are scarce.

MW22r · 11-26-2021, 04:33 PM

Hey StateBoy. PM me if you get a chance. I live in SJ and am curious as to what coach, 5er or TT you are running.

Stateboy · 11-26-2021, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MW22r

Hey StateBoy. PM me if you get a chance. I live in SJ and am curious as to what coach, 5er or TT you are running.

I sent you a message on my pull behind travel trailer.

Rexlion · 11-26-2021, 09:17 PM

Mosquitos can really depend on the location. For example, 2 years ago in mid July I took a trip to MI to visit relatives and to camp. Fort Custer SP near Battle Creek was Mosquito Central, the CG was so thick with 'em it was difficult to be outside. The municipal CG at Six Lakes was virtually bug free, and so was Petoskey SP. Muskallonge Lake had a few pesky flying insects, but nothing too discouraging.

Camping in heavily wooded areas where there isn't much breeze is more likely to have lots of skeeters than a more open CG, as you can imagine. But there are always exceptions to the rule. Even so, you can increase your odds of being un-bugged by camping on shorelines and such in the lower peninsula (the UP is different due to the black flies, which are somewhat unpredictable but they do frequent the beaches!).

johnhicks · 11-26-2021, 09:38 PM

Thanks folks, we'll plan appropriately.

FL420 · 11-26-2021, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnhicks

Thanks folks, we'll plan appropriately.

In June of 2017 I had to buy a head-to-toe mesh mosquito/fly suit to go outside the coach to do anything. We were in the Bay Furnace Campground in the UP.
The suit is available as I don't intend to return. [emoji26]
[emoji40][emoji382][emoji382]... [emoji382][emoji40][emoji106]

Trekkar · 11-27-2021, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FL420

In June of 2017 I had to buy a head-to-toe mesh mosquito/fly suit to go outside the coach to do anything. We were in the Bay Furnace Campground in the UP.
The suit is available as I don't intend to return. [emoji26]
[emoji40][emoji382][emoji382]... [emoji382][emoji40][emoji106]

Good decision. Thank you.

Jkjavelin · 11-27-2021, 07:59 AM

We were in the UP the first week of August this year. Bugs weren't an issue, but a bat got in our rig during one night somehow. We both ended up having to get the series of rabies shots...
JK