BEWARE OF GNATS!

[emvickrey]

Around here they can kill a Deer which they do often. When it gets hot they can be seen in the air in bunches. Looks like a dark cloud. It's recommended not to go out until they're gone. They get in the eyes and cause disease. they have made humans very ill. They didn't seem to bother my chickens maybe becaue they are in the shade maybe and a breezy part of the yard. I will put in a fan soon. They have already started around here. I'll get some fly paper too, just in case.

 

[Clay In Iowa]

Quote:
Dead serious, the gnats are unbelievably bad this year. Mine will NOT go out side at all. The second they do they are swarmed and run top speed right back in.

Not they are "confined", even thought the pop door is open and are starting stress out and fight.

Man I have these gnats. I have 3 inch welts raised about 1/2 in on my arms from them. They are just nasty.

Tasty:

"Symptoms: Humans as well as domestic animals may be viciously attacked. The eyes, ears, nostrils, wrists, and all exposed parts of the body of man are subject to attack. The extreme pain, itching, and the resultant local swellings, together with occasional severe complications, indicate the presence of an active allergin. In some individuals, the face, arms, and other exposed parts may be greatly swollen as a result of the bites; in others, effects other than blood loss may scarcely be noticeable. Livestock and poultry are sometimes killed by large numbers of black flies. Death seems, in most cases, to be the consequence of a toxemia caused by the bites or the result of an anaphylactic shock; although debility resulting from blood loss and suffocation brought about by inhalation of the flies is apparently a contributing cause. In addition, certain species are known to transmit leucocytozoon, microfilaria, and trypanosome infections in poultry."

 

[MOMS CHICKS]

Found this great link! hope it helps anyone out who needs it!

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/adamsbrown/weeklyag/