A black fly bite typically does not penetrate clothing. So wear long sleeves and long pants when going on field trips. Black flies can crawl into your clothing, so tuck your pants into your socks, wear rubber bands around your sleeves, and wear a bandana around your neck to prevent them from going down your shirt.

Black flies are influenced by color and seem to prefer darker colors to light. So wear those light colored khakis and white shirts.

Black flies are less numerous at higher altitudes.

Black flies do not bother you so much while you are hiking, but become more of a nuisance when you stop.

Lastly, black flies do not fly at night so you can hang out all night Tuesday at the barbecue!