Biting gnats and black flies may be little bugs, but they are a big nuisance. Biting gnats are also known as biting midges, no-see-ums, or sand flies. Black flies are also referred to as Buffalo gnats. These insects breed and live in moist habitats, such as coastal marshes, rivers, and streams. They can travel for miles in search of someone someone to bite, which makes total control impossible. There are some steps to take to reduce their interaction with you.
How to control biting gnats
These are the steps you should take to reduce biting gnats around your home:- Localized insect treatments can be helpful when used properly, but this is only a temporary fix.
- Eliminate moist outdoor sites. Any areas that are moist and have organic matter are nesting spots for these pests.
- Screened porches are a good use of a barrier to remove the threat of biting insects.
- Fans push out enough airflow to keep these tiny bugs away. If you are in an area with a biting gnat problem, use a fan.
- Windy days are great days to spend time outdoors since biting gnats and black flies have trouble with breezes.
- Cover up as much as you can. Long sleeves and pants help a lot.
- Avoid outdoors when biting insects are most active. Biting gnats are most active during the evening.
- Petition your local government to treat remote nesting areas.
- Wait for warmer weather. Many black fly problems go away during the summer months.