NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State
University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
May 21, 1998
Buffalo gnats are emerging from the flowing waters of North Dakota and they will continue doing so for several weeks. Fortunately, this wave of buzzing will be last of the season, for they produce only one generation per year.
"Buffalo gnats are small, humpbacked flies," says Phil Glogoza, entomologist for the North Dakota State University Extension Service. "They can be a major nuisance due to their buzzing presence and constant crawling, not to mention their irritating bite. Their tendency to bite increases toward sunset, but they don't bite after dark, and they seldom attack indoors, or even in a vehicle."
Buffalo gnats may be more numerous near rivers and streams, since that's where the larvae develop. But they can be blown long distances.
The best defense for people: clothing.
"They don't bite through clothing," says Glogoza, "but do have a knack for crawling into hair and under clothing. Tucking trouser cuffs into socks prevents them from getting at the ankles.
"These flies are attracted to dark colors, like blue, purple, brown and black. So wearing a light-colored shirt is a good idea—and wearing blue jeans might be a good choice, too, since that will help attract them away from your head. Insect repellents applied to exposed skin will provide some relief, though repellents applied to clothing remain active longer."
Buffalo gnats—also known as black flies—can be annoying to livestock and pets, and riding horses may be particularly bothered, he says. There is no practical way to thoroughly protect herds of livestock, though they may be given temporary relief by treating them with different pyrethroid insecticide products such as Ectrin, Anchor or Atroban.
"The easiest way to help dogs," says Glogoza, "may be to let them take shelter indoors during the day, or to treat them with insect repellents for pets available through veterinary supply stores. In general, area sprays and premise treatments aren't very effective against buffalo gnats."
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Source: Phil Glogoza (701) 231-7581
Editor: Barry Brissman (701) 231-7866