A few weeks back I went on a road trip not too far from Abilene. Just over 3 hours away you'll find Gainesville Texas. I was there for a family gathering which required a couple of nights in an Airbnb. The place was nice, no complaints there. It's what was swarming all around the area that was complete craziness to me. I witnessed literally hundreds of these pesky flying insects. They looked like super-sized mosquitos with giant wings.

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Turns out they go by many names. Mosquito Hawks, Skeeter Eaters (they don't really eat mosquitos), or the most widely known name, Crane Flies. No matter what you call them, they're a pain. I've known about these insects for years but have never seen a concentration like I have this year. It seems like, at least in some areas, it's going to be a huge year for crane flies. I'm willing to bet you may have already encountered some this year. They drive my dog absolutely nuts. Plus, they're nocturnal and drawn towards light, any light. That's how they end up on your porch at night. It can become a nuisance.

LOOK: THIS PESKY FLYING INSECT IS INVADING THE LONE STAR STATE THIS SPRING

Photo: Canva
Photo: Canva
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What's the deal with these pesky things anyway? Texas Monthly is a well-known publication with its finger on the pulse of the state. In their recent article, they claim the concentration of crane flies is partly due to a wet fall put together with a mild winter and a slow warm-up to spring. It means more of the larvae survive maternity. In other words, the conditions have been perfect for this year's concentration.

Although these flies look like massive mosquitos, they're absolutely harmless. They don't bite or sting humans. Adult crane flies are concentrating on one thing and that's mating. Overall, their lifespan is very short but there isn't a shortage of them.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
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Unfortunately, there's not much you can do to rid yourself of crane flies. Keeping porch lights off and doors tightly closed should help right away. That's what we did and it certainly helped. These little dudes were everywhere. Where you see one, there's usually more around. Beware and take cover.

It's not going to be long before we're faced with the yearly round of mosquitos. There are hacks out there that can help keep you and your home free of these bloodsuckers. Look below to check them out and be prepared.

Life Hacks For A Mosquito Free Summer

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