Gnats or No-See-Ums??
Question:I live in lower Michigan my backyard is filled with hundreds of little bugs i think they are no see ums because i have bites on my arms and gnats don't bite but what can i do to get rid of them but keeping in mind i have two dogs and i will not spray poison on the lawn can anyone help please ??
Answers:
The only solution I have for this problem is to wear some "OFF" while I am working in the yard OR you can get some of those things in the garden center at Lowe's and Home Depot that look like small phone cords that you can wear around your ankles and wrists that will repel insects. These work great. I wear them on each ankle and each wrist and the no-see-ums around my house have given up on me! This way I don't have to spray "OFF" on myself and have to rush to wash it off right away. These things really work. Hope this helps!
mix dish soap with water (like in one of those containers you attach to the hose that you buy at kmart or home depot)then spray all over the lawn you have to do it after every rain, but it works.
It keeps them from landing or laying eggs so they just move on to the neighbors yard
interesting note...
no-see-ums are not actually biting you. They are spitting acid on your skin, some of us (me) are highly sensitive to the acid and others (my husband) are hardly even bothered by it
Really depends on what they are. Gnats tend to congregate in wet lawns or where there's a big thatch layer on top of the soil. Removing the thatch layer with a power rake reduces the living area for the gnats. Also correct drainage problems in the lawn.
Some of these guys also live on the surrounding shrubbery or under the mulch or in flower pots on the patio..bummer.
You could try the various citronella candles, punk sticks, etc but eventually you'll have to break down and spray. Pesticides very in the toxicity. The really heavy duty ones are rapidly disappearing from the market or are gone. What's left is generally less toxic or not toxic to us or our pets. That's not a blanket statement, there are still some 'Silver Bullets' out there for serious problems.
You can spray with less toxic pyrethrin for a quick knock down but you often need a secondary chemical for the killing action. Pyrethrin just knocks them out for a bit. Permethrin is often used along with pyrethrin. A third type insecticide is a growth regulator that doesn't allow young insects to mature, thus not reproduce. One such is Nylar. It can be mixed with other chemicals such as pyrethrin.
Sprays or foggers are the best applicators, foggers use far less chemical per yard than spraying...another consideration.
Contact your County Extension Agent for what registered in your state and his/her suggestions. They aren't selling you anything or being paid by chemical companies.
First step though, is try to dry out your lawn.
we have the same problem they are gnats and yes are far as i know gnats do bite..they sure as hell bite me lol..but try off deep woods that stuff works pretty good
"Gnats" = many different small flies and midges( usually have fuzzy antennnae). Some bite , some don't . You are probably being bitten by blackflies . There are insect repellents that don't have toxic (to us) chemicals. I use one( a cream) that has clove oil, pennyroyal ( very strong mint),citronella and geranium. It's out in my car trunk,...somewhere . If I can find it, & still read the label, I'll let you know . Got it at a health food store.
My county Ext. agent told us to never wear Yellow when working in the garden. Insects are attracted to this color. If you don't have any 'OFF' try wiping your skin with rubbing alcohol. Works for me and is cooling. Another good tip. Paint a layer of transmission fluid on a yellow foam meat tray, put on a stick and plant in the yard. Insects are attracted to the sweet fluid and get stuck on it.
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