No venomous snakes. No ticks. No invasive slugs. That's the good news.
The not-so-good news? At certain times of the summer, Åre is home to blackflies and biting gnats. They may be tiny, but they can be surprisingly persistent. Fortunately, there are a few simple tricks to make your time outdoors much more comfortable.
If you're in a hurry, here's the short version: head for higher ground, choose places with a breeze, wear long sleeves and pants, and avoid birch forests, wetlands, and streams whenever possible.
Hiking in summer time.
Blackflies – tiny insects with an outsized bite
Locals have dozens of names for these tiny insects, but whatever you call them, they all have one thing in common—they bite. Blackflies are especially common after a rainy summer evening when the sun comes back out. They're so small that they can slip through ordinary mosquito netting, making them particularly frustrating to deal with.
What helps?
Wear long sleeves, long pants, and make sure there aren't any easy openings around your sleeves, pant legs, or socks. They tend to stay low in damp grass, so your ankles are a favorite target.
If you can, spend time in open, breezy places or head higher into the mountains. Avoid damp areas and dense birch forests when conditions are right for blackflies. Traditional insect repellent isn't always effective, but products containing oil of lemon eucalyptus are worth trying.
Biting gnats
Biting gnats are found throughout Sweden, but they seem especially fond of the mountains. Their bites leave small, itchy red marks that usually disappear faster than mosquito bites, although you're likely to collect quite a few more of them.
Unlike blackflies, some of the larger gnats can be stopped by fine mosquito netting. Their larvae develop in running water, so they're most common around streams, creeks, and small ponds.
What helps?
Just like with blackflies, covering up is your best defense. If you're grilling or spending an evening outdoors, adding a little spruce, birch, or sawdust to the fire to create some smoke can help keep them away. Breezy locations are also much more comfortable.
You'll find plenty of products that claim to repel gnats. Some work better than others, so it often comes down to trying what works best for you.
One unusual local tip from Allas has become something of a legend:
- Fill a charcoal grill with briquettes, using two rows with a second layer on top. Leave a small gap and light one end so the briquettes slowly ignite one another, keeping the grill warm throughout the night.
- Lightly coat the inside of the lid with cooking oil. Close the top vent, but leave the bottom vent slightly open.
- Put the lid on the grill.
- The gnats are attracted to the lid, where they stick to the oiled surface. By morning, you may find a surprising number of them there instead of buzzing around you.
