topic Re: Knats and "no seeums in Community Chat

Gnats and "no seeums

on the bay — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 03:33:02 GMT

In the south I believe they are called No see-ums; in the northern states, "gnats."

this is one insect I am not willing to save. I have often spent too many minutes trying to chase one around!🙄

they do seem to come out in the spring and summer and around lights and lamps and mirrors and

bathrooms. They drive me nuts!

Of course there are other unmentionables. I'd better stop!

I'll have to remember from someone mentioning here awhile ago that you can get them with a bowl of dish liquid and vinegar. I did try that last year and it did help! (But also kind of gross)!

Re: Knats and "no seeums

Foxxee — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 10:26:58 GMT

I don't know whether they are gnats or tiny black flies that bite causing itchy welts the size of mosquito bites.

I can't go out without wearing long pants and sleeves or spraying on a bug repellent. They seem to be waiting at the door for me. Yes, they are so small I can't see them, but do a lot of damage.

They are so bad here, the state used to spray every year, but now complain about budget cuts.

This is another reason for disliking Spring and Summer.

Re: Knats and "no seeums

Love my grandkids — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 02:49:27 GMT

I haven't seen gnats in years. Used to see lots of them when as a kid visited grandparents in Kansas. I grew up in So. Cal. and don't recall any gnats there.

Re: Knats and "no seeums

Mary Bailey — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 02:55:55 GMT

these and anything else goes after DH nothing on me

he says cause he's so sweet guess I'm not

Re: Knats and "no seeums

on the bay — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 03:01:00 GMT

@Love my grandkids .

When I visited San diego with my aunt, an incredibly beautiful city!, I always remember the weather was a perfect non humid blue sky not too hot summer day!

I wonder if these annoying insects only like the humidity?!

Re: Knats and "no seeums

Kalli — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 03:01:34 GMT

I dislike gnats but I absolutely hate ticks!

I’ve been treated for Lyme Disease and two summers in a row, I’ve had to treat my gelding for Lyme, too! Grrrr

Re: Knats and "no seeums

Azcowgirl — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 03:40:53 GMT

I'm here in the dry desert and I don't open my windows anymore because every spring and summer they come right through the screen.

Still, I'm seeing them in the house anyway.

Can't sit down for more than a few minutes

and sure enough there will be one trying to land on me.

So annoying how they fly in your face

and try to land on you and your food

And their bites leave an extremely itchy

blister that takes a long time to go

away.

(The vinegar trick does help.)

Re: Gnats and "no seeums

AngelPuppy1 — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 09:58:23 GMT

I don't know what they are --- I call them gnats --- but lately when I have walked outside -- suddenly there are swarms of them as I am walking down a sidewalk! Icccck! I have to swat and waive my hands to clear them away or they will go up my nose and in my eyes! They are everywhere! It is not even particularly warm yet, or humid - so I don't know what the deal is! I am already getting nervous for the warmer weather because last year I got bitten a few times and had really bad reactions to something and had to go to the doctor for treatment! Now, I can't even go out of my own house without long sleeves and pants (hot) and/or some yucky bug spray!

Re: Knats and "no seeums

77yangya — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 10:05:14 GMT

@Foxxee wrote:
I don't know whether they are gnats or tiny black flies that bite causing itchy welts the size of mosquito bites.

I can't go out without wearing long pants and tops or spraying on a bug repellent. They seem to be waiting at the door for me. Yes, they are so small I can't see them, but do a lot of damage.

They are so bad here, the state used to spray every year, but now complain about budget cuts.

This is another reason for disliking Spring and Summer.

I like the fall when these things all go away and the air gets crisp and the leaves are all pretty colors. These no see um's, I see um! We can't get um though. LOL!!!!

Re: Knats and "no seeums

agb80 — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 12:57:33 GMT

We put up an insect strip outside near the entrance to our home, (lovely to look at ) unfortunately I have to keep reminding my husband it's there so his head doesn't run into it. He says it doesn't work yet it's full of gnats and needs to be replaced.

Re: Knats and "no seeums

fthunt — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 12:59:43 GMT

@Love my grandkids California - I wonder if the ocean breezes are too strong for the bugs to navigate.....against.

In NYS what I call gnats - they collect in a flying round formation - hundreds of them - and they just keep flying in this group. Never had a bite from them - you can see them late afternoon as the sun is preparing to set.

If they bothered me outside.......I'd spray this flying formation with RAID -

In the kitchen I see single small bugs and call them fruit flies.

Re: Gnats and "no seeums

Marp — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 13:08:12 GMT

Gnats, no seeums, midges, whatever you call them have basically the same requirements as mosquitos. They like warm weather and humid conditions. Standing water is a breeding ground.

I am diligent about eliminating standing water around my home but living in a rural area it is impossible to get all the nearby places where water can collect.

I have had a lot of success with my Dynatrap and rarely am bothered by flying insects of any kind.

Re: Gnats and "no seeums

MoonieBaby — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 16:09:55 GMT

@on the bay

Down The Shore in Jersey we call those peskey gross things no see-ums too, certain breezes will bring them in and forget having a great day on the sand in the sun!

I think they are the "teeny cousins" to the greenheads - they work in tandem to get bathers off the beach and on to the boards - at least the merchants have better sales on those days.

But gotta agree...yuck, they ruin the best of beach days, and I'd be totally creeped if they got into my kitchen. Worse than fruit flys.

Re: Gnats and "no seeums

Spurt — Thu, 01 Apr 2021 17:13:56 GMT

I feel your pain, and Im amazed that the gnats even survived our unusual artic freeze we had hear in Texas

Re: Knats and "no seeums

lovesrecess — Sat, 03 Apr 2021 23:46:47 GMT

The no-see-ums are already out again this year...they are just appearing due to a bitter cold snap. I don’t notice them until it is almost dark. Have been cleaning up my flower beds and have to wear long sleeves and long pants but they still manage to get me. Gnats are different and I can see them. When I overwater an indoor plant, gnats show up right away. Have already put out the mosquito bits.....

Re: Knats and "no seeums

sunshine45 — Sun, 04 Apr 2021 03:17:52 GMT

one word......DYNATRAP.......yes, it really does work.

maryland area here and we generally call them gnats. i have heard people use the term "no-see-ums." worse than those though......the horse flies that bite on the beach......they love me!