Black fly bites bugging Spokane this spring

SPOKANE — The Spokane Health District said it’s been fielding more calls this spring about bug bites that draw blood.

KXLY reported the bugs are black flies. They look like houseflies, but they draw blood when they bite, often on the ears, scalp or neck.

Central Valley School District nurse Cheryl Sampson said she’s had calls from almost every school about black flies. She said the itching can be treated with calamine lotion or cortisone cream.