How are the bugs in other parts of this country or the world this year. I feel like I'm being held hostage because every time I go outside, even for a few minutes, I have welts up and down my legs from bites, mainly mosquitoes and flies. This is the worse year I can remember for them.

There has been a lot of rain in your area. That and the temperature, and all the insects are out in force...

"Midgewater. There are more midges than water!"
"What do they live on when they can't get hobbit?"

Yeah, this summer has sucked royally. Too much humidity and overcast calm days and too few sunny, dry and breezy days. Mosquito heaven.

They seem to be particularly fond of my blood. I've been hiding as much as possible.

There are certain blood types / body chemistries that they particularly like. I know... I know exactly what you mean.

It will be winter soon and then I can enjoy being outside again. For those attending the meet, I recommend bringing cans of bug spray

I suppose the real reason I think it hasn't been so bad is I've been wearing long sleeves and pants all summer.

But, no problems here.

Um. I have a bug bite behind my knee. It's the first bite I've had since I went camping up in Tahoe during without a tent. Early August, I think it was.

I very rarely get bitten either... Or I just don't have a reaction and never notice the actual "bite"

Don't worry, there's hope for you yet.

I _never_ used to get bitten either until a few years back. Now I'm their local delicacy.

This is the first year I've had problems with mosquitos. It's driving me crazy. Now I understand why my wife complains about them so much. I'm going back to pants and closed shoes instead of my usual shorts and sandals.

I'm surprised that one of our Scottish colleagues hasn't chipped in yet, the midges up there work to a calendar and my wife is very fair skinned: June 1, the midges come out in force and the Boxers hit the motorway south - pity because both for the scenery and the people, it's one of our favourite places.
I know that the tourist board regard it as a serious problem.