GNATS & FLIES

[wilkinsonsworld]

Hello there

I see Falcon mentioned gnats in a recent reply to a new walker. Quick question - are there gnats and flies along the way in late September through October? If so, are they annoying enough to warrant a head net?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Jane

 

[William Marques]

I could not help you regarding the end of September/October but having encountered swarms of flies one year in June and then none on the same section 4 years later I think it may be down to conditions rather than time of year.

 

[Portia1]

I walked in September into October and my, yes! there were flies and gnats! It was kinda gross because those flies went from the cow poo on the road right to my face and eyes. No amount of swatting dissauded them. The gnats were particularly bothersome around my eyes. Guess it says something about pilgrims that flies and gnats would prefer a sweaty pilgrim to poo. We are their salt lick?

It may be weather conditions but also the sheer amount of brown stuff everywhere. As they are moved from one pasture to another, cows, sheep and goats use the same roadways pilgrims walk and I think some farmers clean out their barns and sweep the resultant mess out onto the roadways as well.

I am taking a head net this time--I also sprayed the inside brim of my hat with premetherian, an insect repellant. I've been told this is not a problem on the Portuguese (which I start in a week) but then I was told this was not a problem on the French Route either. For the half ounce, it is worth it to me.