Are you noticing more biting flies this season? You're not alone

Key Points:

• Chicago area residents have reported a significant increase in biting flies, particularly along the lakefront and throughout the city and suburbs, causing discomfort and multiple bites during outdoor activities.
• The Illinois Department of Public Health identified the stable fly as a common late summer and fall pest, known for biting ankles with a sharp, stabbing pain and laying eggs in vegetable matter and shorelines.
• Biting flies are difficult to control due to hidden larval habitats and their ability to fly miles from breeding sites; repellents are recommended as a last line of defense alongside preventive measures like avoiding peak biting times and wearing protective clothing.
• In addition to flies, an invasive mosquito species that bites during daylight and can take multiple blood meals is also increasing in activity, supported by favorable hot and damp weather conditions in the Chicago area.
• Mosquito abatement districts report higher than usual mosquito activity this summer, contributing to the overall rise in biting insect encounters for residents.