Gnats are the worst thing about summer for my herd. 
Google tells me that the CO2 traps that are usually billed for mosquitos actually are good for biting gnats, too. Has anyone used a mosquito magnet or similar for the gnats that like chewing on horses?
Hereās one article about it, from the mosquito magnet people: https://www.mosquitomagnet.com/articā¦-see-ums-facts
Iād love to know too. The gnats get really bad here. Flysheets, masks, boots and sprays only do but so much. It can get really humid here as well and I feel bad leaving the flysheets on during those really hot and humid days.
I feel the same way, @WBmare Come full summer, itās just too hot and humid to keep sheets on the horses. I try with the sprays and goos, but they only do so much.
If the CO2 things work, Iād have no trouble with the investment, but itās a tough flyer. Maybe theyāre out there used for less? Iāll have to check.
And donāt forget chiggers. Those little buggers are just as bad as gnats, no-see-ums or mosquitos - and they also bite horses, dogs and cats. If there is any solution to get rid of them all, Iād love to know too.
These milder and shorter winters (here in Middle TN) mean we have lots more bugs, ticks, etc. I feel like I have to wage war just to enjoy my own porch and yard.
I find that neem oil helps tremendously to keep them off the horses. I have one w a gnat allergy and I smear it all over his belly. It helps. And it helps heal the skin.
We used a Mosquito Magnet for quite a few years and I do not remember thinking the annoying gnats were less then.
The Mosquito Magnet was a real maintenance issue, that seemed to break more often than it was not broken. That is why we finally just gave up on it.
Well thatās a bummer. Do you happen to remember what the common issues were?
Thankfully we donāt seem to have chiggers here.
@EmilyM I tried the equiderma spray last year with neem and didnāt think it worked at all.
I will ask Mr. Trub.
He is the one who spent endless amounts of time swearing at it.
i use this neem oil. smells terrible. works great.
Iāve had some luck using Skin So Soft against gnats and especially mosquitoes. If nothing else, at least the horses and barn smell nice! Theyāre really bad at my place this time of year too. :no:
I have a horse that has a severe allergy to gnats. The only thing that I found that helps him is Ecovet spray. It smells awful but a little goes a long way and it works!
Ecovet hasnāt worked for me.
Skin so soft makes me puke :dead: And I never found it to work, anyway. Used to ride for a guy who used it.
Bought that neem oilāthanks for the link, @EmilyM. It does smell awful, wow! :lol:
āā¹āā¹āā¹āā¹āā¹āā¹āā¹I found some inexpensive mosquito magnets. Will pick them up this weekend and see if they do anything!
Would that oil be available at a grocery or drug store? Weāve just had a horrible hatch of gnats unlike any Iāve seen before, they are driving the horses (and me )nuts. Most Southern bugs laugh hysterically at the commonly used remedies, so it needs to be strong!
Gardeners use neem for organic pest controlāyou might be able to pick it up at your local nursery.
I picked up the mosquito magnet today ($40! And it works!) and will set it up. Tomorrow is supposed to be warm, so will see what happens. Yesterday was just awful on the gnat front
I spray Deep Woods OFF on their midlines and the center of their chests and it works just as well as SWAT or othergoopy things, without all the mess. I agree those biting gnats are almost as annoying as horse flies!
Fans work the best. Skin so soft only works temporarily. My mare with sweet itch will be in the garage if she doesnāt get access to her stall and fan. If not the garage, she squeezes into the front porch. I bought a timer for the fans.
I would like waterproof boxes to put fans in the paddock as well.
I have had good luck with Mosquito Halt. It gets pretty buggy here in Georgia.
To clarify, are you saying that it trapped a bunch of gnats or that it turned on and now you will see if it attracts gnats?
Iāve got it set up. Pretty pleased that I was able to land a machine that turns on and runs like itās supposed to for $40, though.
After having this thing up for a few days, Iām definitely catching gnats, although not enough to make a dent. I think itās a finding the right location issue. But so far, itās promising!
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