Flies that bite - More than annoyance

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. - 2 Corinthians 2:11 (NKJV)

During the late spring and summer months as you’ve had a picnic at one place or another, what particular insect almost always showed up? You guessed it – the medium-size, approximately 1/4 inch long (?) critter called a house fly. Appearing to be all black with tiny wings, a head the size of a minute thumb tack, and strange- iridescent colored- looking eyes; this insect almost always was a nuisance, which is defined as an annoying, unpleasant, obnoxious thing, or practice.

Flies can be bothersome; buzzing around your head particularly where large numbers are present. And when one or two find a good spot to land on your plate of food, the quick response is to fan it away with the hand all the while hoping that it wouldn’t fall into the soup or other foods on the table. But like mosquitoes, there are flies that bite. I grew up in Carteret County, Morehead City, NC, where nearby farmers had all kinds of livestock such as chicken, mules, horses, cows, and pigs. Mosquitoes and other blood-sucking insects were found among them.

My interest in “flies that bite” resurfaced when Mrs. Molly Stewart, a good friend of the Jones family, mentioned that black flies were biting humans in an abnormal fashion in Huntsville, Alabama [my wife and I were visiting there this past July]. Now I know about a black horse fly that feeds on the blood of horses and other livestock. The horse fly is slightly larger than the ordinary house fly and much faster. I learned quickly how to avoid its attacks and grimaced (facial expression showing disgust) whenever I saw one light on horses that I loved to watch on the Tootle farm. Nonetheless, Mollie's concern about the abnormality of black flies being on a rampage raised my curiosity.

I did a bit of research and discovered a few relevant facts. First, flies bite human and animals by sensing certain substances, including the carbon dioxide and moisture in exhaled breath, dark colors and movement, warmth and perspiration. Once a suitable host is located, a biting fly inserts its piercing mouth parts, lacerates the skin, then injects it saliva to keep the blood flowing. To many sensitive individuals, the fly’s saliva can trigger life-threatening allergic reactions. Secondly, flies that bite transmit debilitating diseases to million of people worldwide. Biting flies can be identified by such name as deer flies, stable fly, black fly, horse fly, sand flies, etc. Most, if not all, are highly active in late spring and early summer. Biting flies live as larvae in rivers and streams; having a 3 week cycle before they die.

What can you do to avoid flies that bite? You can purchase repellants, but these products should be supplemented with other preventive methods, such as avoiding areas inhabited by flies that bite, avoiding peak biting times, and wearing heavy-duty, light colored clothing including long-sleeved shirts, long pants and hats.

“Flies that bite -More than annoyance” prayerfully presents a spiritual thought. I believe that the most extraordinary things about a common fly are speed in flight, and the ability to camouflage itself due to size and color. Satan is like that the biting fly hiding himself in order not to be seen. When you know a biting fly is in your room or house, you can’t rest until it is gotten rid of. 1 Peter 5: 8,9 says, Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

In the same vein of being sober, vigilant, and watchful of the enemy lurking about as a fierce lion, the wake-up call is to become knowledgeful of the enemy tricks – like that biting fly that transmits diseases only when the time is right to suck blood. Lions attack sick, young, or straggling animals; they choose victims who are alone or not alert. Through Peter, the Holy Spirit warns us to watch out for Satan when we are suffering or being persecuted. It is so easy to be distracted when one is alone, weak, helpless, and perhaps cut off from fellow believers. Sometimes such a person can become so focused on his or her own troubles that he or she forgets to watch for danger. Becoming convinced that just as the buzzing fly lets you know where it is and you need only to swat it away, allow your eye to stay on Jesus and your swatting will not be in vain. Selah