How to Keep Deerflies & Gnats Away

Deerflies and gnats love marshy areas.

Deerflies and gnats annoy both humans and animals during the summer months. Both have a painful bite and require similar measures to repel them. If you live around a wooded or watery area, you are at greater risk of experiencing a deerfly or gnat problem. You can make your property and yourself less desirable to these insects and experience more comfort.

Things You'll Need

• Deet bug spray
• Citronella
• Light-colored clothing

Instructions

1. Keep your land well-drained. Standing water and marshy soil attract both flies and gnats. Add drainage to the grass by installing culverts or moving yourself away from the wetlands.

2. Stay indoors during the peak hours of sunlight to avoid deerflies, which love to bite people and animals during the heat of the day. Gnats come out during the day and night. To keep away gnats at night, change all outdoor lighting to bulbs that emit an orange glow.

3. Wear light-colored clothing if you must spend significant time outdoors during the day. Deerflies, in particular, love dark moving objects, states Ohio State University. For example, instead of wearing black shorts, choose khaki-colored pants and cover as much skin as possible.

4. Spray yourself with deet-based repellents if you plan on spending at least an hour outside. These types of bug sprays repel both gnats and deerflies.

5. Surround your house and property with citronella candles or products containing citronella to repel deerflies and gnats. Some people use the lit tiki torch variety in their yards for decoration and bug prevention.

Tips & Warnings

• Horses and farm animals need protection against deerflies just as much as humans. Take similar measures to protect them from painful bug bites as well.

• Only spray yourself with deet-based bug spray every few hours. It can cause skin irritation and rashes.

References

• "Ohio State University Extension"; Horse and Deer Flies; William F. Lyon