I don't have to worry about predators at all right now

[Clay In Iowa]

Thanks JB.

Locally they call them "vinegar gnats". Apparently they are very attracted to vinegar. Locals set out jars about half full of vinegar. In no time they are filled with the little nasties. Not sure it actually does more than attract more to the area but I think it makes people feel better to know they are killing a few.

 

[ChickBond 007]

Okay Clay, my family is about to head to northeast Iowa to canoe the Upper Iowa River for a quick camping vacation. After reading this info, I'm trying to figure out how to cover the family in vanilla, head to toe, because it says that these gnats are born/live over moving water (like the UI River).
Deet won't work. Vinegar attracts them. My family is going to smell like a bakery.

 

[Chicky Tocks]

My buff orpingtons are balding at the chin. I know the rooster's not doing that...I'm starting to wonder if it's the gnats. I've had them as well. It's not affecting the EE's in there, they still have their beards. What else in the world would cause my girls to go bald at the chin?

I'm considering dosing cotton balls with pure vanilla and hanging them from the rafters of the run. Anything! These bugs are brutal!

 

[ruth]

Quote:
It's the gnats causing the balding. My peacocks have scratched all the beautiful feathers off the back of their necks and look like buzzards - becacuse the gnats are swarming their faces so badly.

The bug zapper in the coop is working well.

I'm not sure if the tiny gnats we have here are the same thing as the Buffalo Gnats/Black Flies I keep reading about. Our gnats don't look anything like flies, they are just tiny little specks - almost look like dust particles swarmng around the birds heads.

All of chickens are staying in the coop where the fan, lights, and bug zapper all deter the gnats.

The peacocks however don't like to stay in the coop and they are just getting swarmed by these pests. I'm starting to worry about them.

Plus, I'm getting bitten so badly and so much that I'm miserable. I've had my eye swell closed twice, my elbow swell so badly I couldn't bend my arm, and my ear looked like cauliflower ear for days. I have to be outside the better part of the day between caring for all the animals and working in gardens and on different projects. I'm wearing long pants, socks, long sleeves and a hat - did I mention it's 100 degrees with 100% humidity - it's too darn hot to be working dressed like the Michelin Man.

I guess the next step is to get netting to put over the hat.

I just pray this cycle is almost over. I'm sure the animals feel the same way.