Sandflies are out in force as the early summer heat draws Kiwis to the beach, and a sandfly expert has some simple tips to avoid getting bitten.
Becky Cashman told Seven Sharp you're vulnerable to sandflies at the beach, the river and at a barbecue.
"Sandflies care what you wear. They love black. They hate white. Their favourite is skin," Ms Cashman said.
She said being prepared with bug repellent is crucial.
"We probably have lived most of the worst sandfly stories because we've lived on the coast for many years, including raising small children who are the yummiest to sandflies," she said.
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"They love cloudy days. They love no wind days. They love humid days. But they also seek, in particular, sweet people. So they're actually quite fussy eaters."
Ms Cashman explained how the average sandlfy is different to a mosquito.
"A mosquito's actually more involved. They make a really sharp prick into the skin, and you can't feel it. So they're like a surgeon. And a sandfly's more like a hack. It saws into your skin, which is why you feel it more when they're biting."
