Tempers are starting to flare

[Clay In Iowa]

Quote:
Oh the Buffalo gnats are horrid here too (Central Illinois). I have been sick now twice this year because of them, I am allergic to them lucky me, so I too have kept my chickens and ducks inside allot more than I was hoping. Then just when you think it is safe they start swarming all over again. Now I have big welts and swell massively and they make me physically sick. Ist time this year got bit on my neck below my ear and the whole right side of my face swelled up and I was sicker than a dog.
So I wont let my babies out when they are bad.

OUCH! And I thought I had it bad with the welts. They get HOT and itch like the dickens but I don't get sick. I have the pleasure of being allergic almost any insect that bites. These things really set me off.

It must be a great plains thing. I grew up in North Central Indiana and never saw one of these little @#$!%'s . They are just nasty.

 

[Clay In Iowa]

pips&peeps :

What about a bug zapper? Are they attracted to them?

Unfortunately no. Almost nothing is affective. Scent repellents won't work either. It's seems to be motion and visual contrast. That's why they LOVE eyes, nostrils and ear canals. They don't land they just dive right in, just disgusting to come in from working (mowing) in the yard, blow your nose and see 8 or 10 gnats.... eewwwwww

Had one dive bomb deep into my ear they other day, didn't bite but couldn't get the buzzing thing out for about 5 minutes.


Oh BTW Jean, those Split lavs and Blue Wheaten Ams are doing GREAT. I love them they are very friendly. They usually come right up to me along with the Orpingtons I got From MissPrissy. None of my other breeds are so friendly.​

 

[ranchhand]

Hey Clay! Here's a similar thread, ya'll need to get together.

I like the box fan idea- just keep blowing them back.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=185452 Post #6

 

[kinnip]

Geez, I'm sorry about the gnats. I've read some nasty stories about those. It actually makes me think twice about complaining about our flies.
A caveat with the Flock Block. I had to toss mine. Most of the girls were O.K. with it, but several got really severe diarrhea. One BR hen ate so much she got uber-fat and started accumulating fluid in her belly. I've had to lay off scratch altogether as they lose the extra weight and their bowels stabilize. I suspect the molasses was to blame. They did, however, enjoy the heck out of it.

 

[PunkinPeep]

I know you already said this doesn't work, but i read about someone here who had success by putting a bug zapper right over the run. Said the chickens loved the toasty treats in the morning. I don't have the gnat problem here, so i'm just going on what i read.