Projects

Black Fly Control

"Chainsaws with wings" is a common name for these biting pests with toxic saliva. Black flies are an ironic result of a cleaner environment. They hatch in the pure, clear, water of the Delaware River but need a blood meal to breed. Researchers at the Snyder Farm studied its life-cycle, created a control plan, and formed a dual-state partnership to get it done. Once a plague of backyard barbecues and soccer fields black flies are now mostly a bad memory. "We used to call it the Hunterdon County Wave," says John Grande, "People would be flailing their arms and slapping at the flies."