Dead Bugs Greet Ocean City Swimmers, Winds Blamed

OCEAN CITY, Md. (AP) -- Stormy weather isn't just bringing rain to Ocean City this week.

Resort officials and researchers say westerly winds are to blame for blowing mosquitoes, gnats and flies from nearby marshes into the surf recently.

Roman Jesien, science coordinator at the Maryland Coastal BaysProgram, says the bugs lay their eggs in the marsh and westerly winds carry them to the beach.

Lt. Mike Stone of the Ocean City Beach Patrol tells The Daily Times of Salisbury that the bugs typically are removed naturally by birds and fish, or they are broken down by the waves.

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