This weekend, I had five security cameras installed. I already believe they are a good investment. All of them are solar powered. It’s only day three and I’m shocked at just how well they work. The clarity of the images are impressive and the audio is crystal clear.

The audio is so good, it can pick up on lightly voiced conversations. Not that I need it, but the range of the cameras can go clear out to the highway. I like them enough that I intend to add at least two more to cover the chicken pens and garage.

That said, it’s still going to take time to get used to such invasive equipment. I would prefer to have nothing at all. But, after losing chickens and dealing with riffraff, I’m now strongly leaning on the side of proactive deterrence.

When the cameras were being installed, I tried to help by holding on to the ladder. While minding my own business, out of the blue a dang horse fly bit the back of my leg, behind my kneecap. It hurt like a dickens.

I started wondering why do horse flies bite? What makes it so painful? That evening, I hopped on Google and did some research.

A few things I learned: Horse flies can be found all over the world except for a few islands and in polar regions. Like mosquitoes, the male horse flies do not bite. They mostly feed on nectar.

However, the females need protein for their eggs. They gather protein by drinking blood. Female horse flies are highly opportunistic. They will feed from cattle, horses, deer, birds, lizards, turtles etc. Who knew?

When they draw blood they actually have two pairs of razor sharp cutting blades and they slash the skin. Their saliva has an anticoagulant which they inject into the wound to keep the blood from clotting. Then, their mouth has a part which functions sort of like a sponge and they absorb the blood. Depending on the type of horse fly {each breed has a preference} they might bite the wrist, bare leg, ankles, back of the knee or back of the neck.

Some people have allergic reactions to the saliva and can develop hives or difficulty breathing. The bites can even cause dizziness, weakness and wheezing. Also, horseflies are vectors {meaning they can carry and transmit} some bacterial, viral, protozoan and worm diseases.

Basically, they are painful and disgusting. I also learned they are attracted to areas with water. They prefer being out in the sunshine and they will avoid shaded areas. Overall, it was an interesting read. I learned some new trivia. However, hopefully it will be a good long while before another one decides I’m a potential meal.