Real Talk!

Entymologists are warning us that this year, mosquitoes and black flies are particularly aggressive. Weather conditions were absolutely perfect for the breeding the bugs.

A Quebec Entymologist, recently interviewed by CBC, suggested the populations were three times the number. He advised people not to wear dark colours (which attract mosquitoes and black flies) and urged the use of repellent on all exposed skin.

Remember, a mosquito can bite through clothing, a black fly can't. Black flies are day time feeders and generally won't come inside. Mosquitoes, however, seem to love to follow us anywhere, any time.

I've heard everything (such as: dryer sheets, mouthwash, chrysanthemum flowers and garlic) can be used to deter the pests. The best thing, in my experience is a strong electric fan which does the same as a strong breeze and keeps the little monsters from being able to fly!

Local lore says that black flies and mosquitoes can bring down cattle and moose... not having witnessed this, I hesitate to mention it, but they do swarm and one can well imagine that enough bites would cause serious damage. Funny, once you live with them a few yaers, you curtail most outdoor activities for a couple of weeks and mostly ignore them.

I have that other pest... my last post about the stubborn limb on my family tree... I stumbled on something earlier today...

This is the baptismal certificate for Pierre Didier and Mathilde Goudreau's son, Pierre Stanislas Didier. I believe it says that his godfather is Stanislas Galliot. I'm wondering if this Galliot has anything to do with the Gaillard mentioned on the document that I shared in my last post.

I must say, both spelling and handwriting on many of these documents makes the search become quite an adventure.

Again, I would love to have any insight that might help me with this branch of my family tree.

Incidentally, pines and cedars seem to be among the favourites for mosquitoes and black flies.