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St. Clair Shores Karsten Younes left his job this week on the shores of Lake Saint Clair, gazed up at a nearby light and sighed. Summer s coming, he said.
Above his head and in the light, Younes saw a swarm of mayflies, more commonly known as fish flies. In a year when millions of cicadas are expected to make their 17-year appearance, residents living in communities near shorelines are gearing up for the annual appearance of mayflies.
The flies are harmless but can be a challenge for homeowners and businesses to keep at bay since they fly in swarms seeking light. While their lifespan is about two days, their carcasses can appear an apocalyptic scene on boats, sidewalks and roads, where crunches can be heard when cars drive over them. They also emit an odor after they die.