What to do about my backyard filled with gnats??

alltheusernamesaretaken

Our 1/3rd acre property has gnats (and I mean millions of them) no matter where we go. What is going on and how can I get rid of them?

I did a quick google search and that said to look for any standing water and drain it, but we don't have any standing water - and the gnats are all over the property, not just in one spot. We are having our annual termite check next week - is it worth the money to ask if the exterminators can do anything? The gnats are just outside, not inside (thank God!).

TarHeels&Rebels

I'm quite sure NB and others will cyber-slap me, but Cutter Backyard Bug Control really works.  Not good for the environment, I'm sure, but good for actually enjoying your yard.  I don't know if it works on gnats (works miracles for mosquitoes), so go read the label.  It's at HD, Lowe's, WM, etc.

 

 

~NB~

TarHeels&Rebels:

I'm quite sure NB and others will cyber-slap me, but Cutter Backyard Bug Control really works.  Not good for the environment, I'm sure, but good for actually enjoying your yard.  I don't know if it works on gnats (works miracles for mosquitoes), so go read the label.  It's at HD, Lowe's, WM, etc.

Meh. Not as bad as Sevin on soil, I'm sure.

I'd probably use fogger IF I was having a backyard GTG and I had this problem, otherwise I'd put on DEET (so many people blast me for suggesting that) or just avoid going outside that week... which is about how long a gnat lifespan is.

CollegeGrrl219

I would probably check to make sure there's nothing rotten hanging around.

Otherwise, are the gnats really hurting anything? Personally, I could care less about bugs as long as they don't sting, bite or eat up my garden.

alltheusernamesaretaken

Thanks everyone. I will check out Cutter's.

The gnats aren't biting, but we have a 2 yr old and a 4 yr old and they can't play on the swingset or anywhere in the yard because the gnats are flying in their faces, hair, and mouths. It is really bad.

GRsweetpea

I sympathize with your gnat issue.  When I lived in SC and GA, there was a week when we couldn't do anything outside because they were everywhere.  We found that wearing a dryer sheet help keep them away a little better.

DawnLilly

Ours was the same way week ago. It was so bad that you couldn't go out there without breathing them in, getting them stuck in your hair and clothes. The dogs didn't even want to go out there. We have a very large yard so I usually only mow it and bag it right near the house and just let the cut grass further out lie. I bagged all of it hoping to suck up some of the gnats and the eggs if they were in the grass. I don't know if it worked or they all just died off but thank goodness they are gone!