Shadflies are back in North Bay, although their arrival is about two weeks later than normal.
The insects, which only live a day but number in the millions, have made their presence known in the downtown.
Their annual return has prompted some advice from the Executive Director of the Downtown Improvement Area.
Jeff Serran says businesses already keep their lights off at night to avoid attracting the insects during the dark.
He’s also suggesting that for those that linger on storefront walls and windows, don’t wash or spray them away because they just adds to their fish-like smell.
Serran’s suggestion is to use devices like leaf blowers.
From now until the shadflies are gone for another year, the city’s sidewalk vacuum unit will pass by daily to suck up the dead insects.
Serran says shadflies are a necessary nuisance because their presence shows Lake Nipissing is healthy.
The smelly insects should be gone by mid-July.
