By and large, the Land of 10,000 Lakes is free of the types of terrifying animals you’ll find in warmer climates. Venomous snakes are few and far between (though there are two species found here). Likewise, scorpions, sharks, and crocodiles are all thankfully found far away from Minnesota. But there are still a few creepy crawlies left in the state that everyone should be aware of. For example, black flies have been making headlines for their recent resurgence in Minnesota. These creatures are not dangerous, but they are unpleasant. Read on to learn what these black, biting bugs in Minnesota are and how to avoid them.

Black flies - also called biting gnats - are a type of fly that is found all around the world. There are many different species of black flies. But there are four genera in particular that have species known to bite humans.

Guy Streatfeild/Flickr These genera are Simulium, Prosimulium, Austrosimulium, and Cnephia. Flies from the Simulium genus are the most common.

Here in Minnesota, the flies are not a new thing. But their population seems to have spiked in the state this year.

Bob Henricks/Flickr The flies - two to three times bigger than normal gnats - lay eggs in rivers and streams, making these areas hotbeds of black fly activity. Sometimes eggs can be laid later in the season and will hatch early the following spring like this Prosimulium black fly larva.

In particular, Minnehaha Creek, the Vermilion River, and Nine Mile Creek have been cited as potential places where the population is growing rapidly.

Joe Passe/Flickr

In Minnesota and other states in the Upper Midwest, black flies typically start showing up in April, with their populations surging throughout the summer.

United States Department of Agriculture/Wikipedia This can put a damper on many of your favorite outdoor activities, from hiking to fishing to camping. It’s not uncommon for the flies to swarm in large numbers in some areas.

While black fly bites are not harmful - the flies in Minnesota carry no diseases known to affect humans - they can be painful. Those who have been bitten this year report more pain and itching than other fly or gnat bites.

Jean and Fred/Flickr To prevent bites, make sure you wear bug spray when you spend time outdoors. Also wear long sleeves and pants when possible to keep these little black bugs in Minnesota away from your skin.

While these flies aren’t harmful, they can be a major nuisance! Take precautions when you spend time outside, and you’re likely to avoid black fly bites. For more information about these black, biting bugs in Minnesota, take a look at the black fly page on the Minnesota Department of Health website.

Guy Streatfeild/Flickr

These genera are Simulium, Prosimulium, Austrosimulium, and Cnephia. Flies from the Simulium genus are the most common.

Bob Henricks/Flickr

The flies - two to three times bigger than normal gnats - lay eggs in rivers and streams, making these areas hotbeds of black fly activity. Sometimes eggs can be laid later in the season and will hatch early the following spring like this Prosimulium black fly larva.

Joe Passe/Flickr

United States Department of Agriculture/Wikipedia

This can put a damper on many of your favorite outdoor activities, from hiking to fishing to camping. It’s not uncommon for the flies to swarm in large numbers in some areas.

Jean and Fred/Flickr

To prevent bites, make sure you wear bug spray when you spend time outdoors. Also wear long sleeves and pants when possible to keep these little black bugs in Minnesota away from your skin.

If you love bugs, or want to know which one’s to avoid, here are 12 more bugs you’ll find in Minnesota.

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Address: Minnesota, USA

The OIYS Visitor Center

More annoying black bugs in Minnesota December 31, 2022 Chris Muras What little black bugs are there in MN? Minnesota is home to many different kinds of small, black bugs. From pillbugs and sow bugs, which can be found underneath logs or rocks in moist areas, to June bugs that often buzz around lights at night, these bugs are an important part of the state’s biodiversity. Here is a list of a few of the most common little black bugs in Minnesota:

Black carpenter ants Carpet beetles Black Onion fly Weevils American Dog Tick Flour beetles June beetles Black Blister beetle Pill bugs Black termites

  There is also the black ant species that often hang around plants or inside houses in search of food. Each of them plays a role in the cycle of life that runs through Minnesota’s ponds, forests, and fields. While some may not look much like it, these black bugs deserve our respect for their vital place in the natural world here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. How long is black fly season in Minnesota? These pesky Minnesota biting flies are typically active from May to October. It is interesting to note that it is only the female black flies that bite in order to extract blood to develop eggs. Male black flies feed on plant nectars. How do you prevent black fly bites? There is really no effective way to completely prevent black fly bites. But wearing long clothing that covers your arms and legs does help. Black flies are also attracted to dark colors, so wearing light-colored clothing might help prevent some bites. As with mosquitos, a bug spray with DEET might repel black flies.

The OIYS Visitor Center

More annoying black bugs in Minnesota

December 31, 2022

Chris Muras

What little black bugs are there in MN? Minnesota is home to many different kinds of small, black bugs. From pillbugs and sow bugs, which can be found underneath logs or rocks in moist areas, to June bugs that often buzz around lights at night, these bugs are an important part of the state’s biodiversity. Here is a list of a few of the most common little black bugs in Minnesota:

Black carpenter ants Carpet beetles Black Onion fly Weevils American Dog Tick Flour beetles June beetles Black Blister beetle Pill bugs Black termites

  There is also the black ant species that often hang around plants or inside houses in search of food. Each of them plays a role in the cycle of life that runs through Minnesota’s ponds, forests, and fields. While some may not look much like it, these black bugs deserve our respect for their vital place in the natural world here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. How long is black fly season in Minnesota? These pesky Minnesota biting flies are typically active from May to October. It is interesting to note that it is only the female black flies that bite in order to extract blood to develop eggs. Male black flies feed on plant nectars. How do you prevent black fly bites? There is really no effective way to completely prevent black fly bites. But wearing long clothing that covers your arms and legs does help. Black flies are also attracted to dark colors, so wearing light-colored clothing might help prevent some bites. As with mosquitos, a bug spray with DEET might repel black flies.

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

Minnesota is home to many different kinds of small, black bugs. From pillbugs and sow bugs, which can be found underneath logs or rocks in moist areas, to June bugs that often buzz around lights at night, these bugs are an important part of the state’s biodiversity. Here is a list of a few of the most common little black bugs in Minnesota:

  • Black carpenter ants
  • Carpet beetles
  • Black Onion fly
  • Weevils
  • American Dog Tick
  • Flour beetles
  • June beetles
  • Black Blister beetle
  • Pill bugs
  • Black termites

 

There is also the black ant species that often hang around plants or inside houses in search of food. Each of them plays a role in the cycle of life that runs through Minnesota’s ponds, forests, and fields. While some may not look much like it, these black bugs deserve our respect for their vital place in the natural world here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

How long is black fly season in Minnesota?

These pesky Minnesota biting flies are typically active from May to October. It is interesting to note that it is only the female black flies that bite in order to extract blood to develop eggs. Male black flies feed on plant nectars.

How do you prevent black fly bites?

There is really no effective way to completely prevent black fly bites. But wearing long clothing that covers your arms and legs does help. Black flies are also attracted to dark colors, so wearing light-colored clothing might help prevent some bites. As with mosquitos, a bug spray with DEET might repel black flies.