How to Repel Biting Black Gnats

Gnats typically do not bite through clothing. With the proper attire, repellents and preparation, you can prevent black gnats from biting.

Area Repellants

1. Increase air movement to keep biting gnats away. Set up fans, air conditioners or other sources of airflow where gnats are present.

2. Burn candles, torches or coils containing citronella or other biting gnat repellent. The smoke produced by these items will reduce bites.

3. Reduce vegetation in areas where biting black gnats thrive. Mow weedy areas, prune shrubs, and keep vegetation low to the ground to reduce gnats in the area.

4. Set up outdoor barriers near streams with running water. Black gnats lay their eggs in water. Dam the waterway with sandbags to create stagnant water in which the larvae cannot mature.

5. Clean up debris found in nearby waterways. Biting black gnats can attach to floating debris to grow and reproduce.

6. Place BTI cakes into the stream after damming the waterways. These doughnut-shaped cakes contain a larvicide that will kill off pests and prevent gnats that live in the watery areas from growing.

Personal Repellants

1. Apply an insect repellent containing 10 to 30 percent DEET. Always wear an insect repellent when outdoors, especially in areas where black gnats have infested.

2. Wear long sleeves, pants, gloves and a head net in areas where black flies are found in high numbers. Cover up as much skin as possible.

3. Set up a pyrethrum-based insect fogger to prevent the black gnats from biting. Insect foggers are only a temporary way to remove biting black gnats from an area.

Tip

Check BTI cake levels periodically to ensure that they haven’t dissolved completely. BTI cakes can last up to 30 days before needing to be replaced. Black gnat control should begin before the season for the insects is near. The season for most black gnat species extends from April until September.